$3400 Grant Money, What Would You Use It For

[daycare]

I was contacted by my stars program about a grant they may receive. I was asked if I were to get $3400 what would I spend it on to improve my program.

I came up with the obvious stuff, like new supplies, equipment, attend trainings and etc.

if you had this option, what would you use it on?

thanks in advance.

[hwichlaz]

out door things, like a sand and water table, rocking teeter totter, playground covering and a fence around my playground to keep the dogs out.

[Blackcat31]

We do have this option and the money I receive fro grants go to things that meet our state's priority goals.

A few of them are school readiness, health and physical movement, math/science skills as well as professional development.

We can purchase items or training/classes that help our programs meet those goals.

I used my grant money this last year to purchase our new playground set.

I've used past grant monies to purchase curriculum and assessments, equipment for our math/science area (microscopes, pre-made slides, a light table etc) and I purchased an iPad to create an easier format for signing in/out, parent communication and for documentation/assessment purposes.

HTH

[Ariana]

I would definitely use it for the outdoor play space. Different textured surfaces for walking, a water feature, outdoor chalkboard etc.

[daycare]

I would definitely use it for the outdoor play space. Different textured surfaces for walking, a water feature, outdoor chalkboard etc.

thanks ladies for responding. I am not sure how we will receive the money. if it will be cash or if it will be in the form of a voucher.

I personally would like to spend it on staff training, because our QRIS wants these highly qualifed people, but we can't afford to pay them. minimum wage here is $10an hour, most people want $16plus an hour and that is hard for a small program like FCC to do, especially when they are not QRIS qualified.

since QRIS is so new, not too many people come equipped ready to hire for the job with the skill set. which right away makes it very hard to train them and pay them to get training.

BC what is health and physical movement??

[Blackcat31]

BC what is health and physical movement??

Anything related to healthy eating and exercise.

So my play ground met the requirements of exercise so it was approved spending.

Here our funds are paid to us direct deposit. We have to purchase the item(s) we want (after getting approval they meet the requirements) and then we submit a receipt for the stuff and they reimburse us the money directly to our checking accounts. In previous years they sent out paper checks but we still had to purchase on our own and submit receipts for reimbursement.

[daycare]

Anything related to healthy eating and exercise.

So my play ground met the requirements of exercise so it was approved spending.

Here our funds are paid to us direct deposit. We have to purchase the item(s) we want (after getting approval they meet the requirements) and then we submit a receipt for the stuff and they reimburse us the money directly to our checking accounts. In previous years they sent out paper checks but we still had to purchase on our own and submit receipts for reimbursement.

got it. that all makes sense. I do like that idea of healthy eating and exercise, I honestly think that it is really over looked. While we do have the food program, I honestly don't think they really educate providers and parents on healthy eating. they still allow way too much junk and I really don't think they spend enough time about portion control. Like right now I have a kid that just turned 2, is new to my program and eats more than any other kid here. I have a 6 year old in my program and mostly 4 year olds. The parents are upset that I refuse to over feed the child, I serve the correct portions and if the child is still hungry, they can have more veggies...

Can you tell me what kind of play ground equipment you got?

[Unregistered]

This is Mike. You won't see much from me till at least Saturday. I was going to post my own thread but with the title of this one, I just had to reply here.
Sorry for hijacking DC ::

Right now, we would love to come across $3400. Sunday afternoon we (myself, brother and mother) were out, and when we got home,
We figured out that our power lines must have been hit by lightning. Several things have been damaged but the biggest problem is our computers. My brothers is fried, including the hard drive. My computer is fried but luckily my hard drives are ok. I'm hoping to be back in operation Saturday. But, our Internet modem is also fried and they can't fix it till Tuesday, so until then my Internet is very limited.

Our uv water filter quit too, so we have to boil water now. A duplex kitchen outlet is out of order. We switch breaker on and it sparks and back off, so we need an electrician (one with more equipment than I have) to figure out where the wires got shorted. And a few more smaller problems.

I hope my mother's insurance covers this type of thing.

[daycare]

This is Mike. You won't see much from me till at least Saturday. I was going to post my own thread but with the title of this one, I just had to reply here.
Sorry for hijacking DC ::

Right now, we would love to come across $3400. Sunday afternoon we (myself, brother and mother) were out, and when we got home,
We figured out that our power lines must have been hit by lightning. Several things have been damaged but the biggest problem is our computers. My brothers is fried, including the hard drive. My computer is fried but luckily my hard drives are ok. I'm hoping to be back in operation Saturday. But, our Internet modem is also fried and they can't fix it till Tuesday, so until then my Internet is very limited.

Our uv water filter quit too, so we have to boil water now. A duplex kitchen outlet is out of order. We switch breaker on and it sparks and back off, so we need an electrician (one with more equipment than I have) to figure out where the wires got shorted. And a few more smaller problems.

I hope my mother's insurance covers this type of thing.

OMG so sorry to hear this, but thankfully you are all ok. where are you located. I have read about these things, but I really didn't realize how often they happen,,

[Blackcat31]

Can you tell me what kind of play ground equipment you got?

[daycare]

wow that is beautiful, but my insurance would never go for it. I can't have anything more half their falling height. does that make sense. hope I said that right

[Blackcat31]

wow that is beautiful, but my insurance would never go for it. I can't have anything more half their falling height. does that make sense. hope I said that right

Yep totally makes sense!
Also makes me super happy my state hasn't reached that level of strict. yet.

[CityGarden]

I would get the Community Playthings Outlast Cascade Play Center

I love the quality from Community Playthings and this has so much value:

• space for lots of children at the same time
• water / sand play
• compliments the Nature Explore Classroom / Outdoor Classroom Project program I aspire to have
• science exploration
• engineering exploration
• could be used instead of a sensory table

[daycare]

I would get the Community Playthings Outlast Cascade Play Center

I love the quality from Community Playthings and this has so much value:

• space for lots of children at the same time
• water / sand play
• compliments the Nature Explore Classroom / Outdoor Classroom Project program I aspire to have
• science exploration
• engineering exploration
• could be used instead of a sensory table

OMG that is the coolest thing i have ever seen. I wonder how that would work with out very strict water laws.

[CityGarden]

OMG that is the coolest thing i have ever seen. I wonder how that would work with out very strict water laws.

Similar to any water table or pool it has to be monitored at all times. I believe it's easy to drain the water and I feel it would also be useful with items other than water --- sand, rice, water beads, etc.

I will say your idea for employee training is compelling but since I am just starting out I am still investing in the physical space. If I was in your position I would likely go for the employee training / PD.

Slightly OT but what made you decide to participate in QRIS? Are commercial daycare / preschools also doing it?