Christian Daycare

[blessedmess8]

I do advertise as Christian and let everyone know, up front. We pray and I have bible stories and devotionals in my lesson plans! I have a waiting list! If you are following God's will, he will meet your needs!!

[MsMe]

I would want to know before I signed my children up at a daycare if it was going to be religious-based. Because of my beliefs I wouldn't send my children to a religious daycare. I think it wuld be a good idea to let parents know of what you plan to do before any interviews. Good luck!

I agree. I think it will also depend on your community how your are recieved as a Christion daycare home. Good Luck!

[Zoe]

I don't run a Christian daycare, but my son is OBSESSED with Veggie Tales and I mention to parents that sometimes those videos are on while I am making lunch. So far no one has really minded, but I mention it just in case. I'm not going to deny my son his Bob and Larry!

[AnneCordelia]

I absolutely think you should tell your clients well in advance if there is going to be any aspect of religion integrated into your care. I am another who would not send my child to a religious daycare and would want to know prior to signing up. It could be hard on a child to have to move daycares because the parents don't agree with your religion.

There are two Christian daycares in my neighbourhood and they always seem to be full.

All the best to you.

[PolarCare]

Absolutely disclose in advance

As a parent I do not want my children attending Christian schools or daycare facilities, for the same reason I don't want them attending Muslim schools or daycare facilities. If I were a Buddhist daycare facility or a Muslim facility, would it be okay for me to omit that info in order to garner more clients? I don't think so. I don't advertise because I'm always full, and one thing all my families have has in common is that they wanted their kids in non faith based care. Religion is a hot button topic, and it's safest to disclose right up front if kids in your care will be exposed to ANY religious topics, activities, or paraphernalia.

[PitterPatter]

I do not advertise a Christian daycare, I don't really have a program geared towards it either BUT I do not hide the fact that we do believe in God/Jesus and we do attend church as well as pray and have religious items in the home as well as outdoor statues. I have never had anyone say anything about it but 1 little girl did say her Dad doesn't believe in God. To which I replied her Daddy has the right to believe in what he wants but here we know God does exist. It wasn't brought up again. That's fine as long as he doesn't bring it up for debate and doesn't mind his child being here knowing how we live.

[AnneCordelia]

I do not advertise a Christian daycare, I don't really have a program geared towards it either BUT I do not hide the fact that we do believe in God/Jesus and we do attend church as well as pray and have religious items in the home as well as outdoor statues. I have never had anyone say anything about it but 1 little girl did say her Dad doesn't believe in God. To which I replied her Daddy has the right to believe in what he wants but here we know God does exist. It wasn't brought up again. That's fine as long as he doesn't bring it up for debate and doesn't mind his child being here knowing how we live.

And do you believe that your choice of words degrades the beliefs her father has? You say that he "believes" but you "know". That's the kind of influence that bothers non-religious.

I also have religious statues and paraphernalia in my home. I have a statue of Mary on my front lawn, a hand-painted crucifix in my front hall, a Celtic cross in my kitchen, a Hindu Shivva statue on my bookshelf and Buddhist prayer flags in my backyard. If someone had picky eyes and only noticed the Catholic stuff they might wonder if I'm Catholic.

I think that religion is one of those subjects that you must be frank and open about. If you pray before you serve lunch, then you need to tell your families that. It's wonderful for your family but it might not be the right care setting for theirs. Full disclosure is the only way to go with a topic like this.

[PitterPatter]

And do you believe that your choice of words degrades the beliefs her father has? You say that he "believes" but you "know". That's the kind of influence that bothers non-religious.

I also have religious statues and paraphernalia in my home. I have a statue of Mary on my front lawn, a hand-painted crucifix in my front hall, a Celtic cross in my kitchen, a Hindu Shivva statue on my bookshelf and Buddhist prayer flags in my backyard. If someone had picky eyes and only noticed the Catholic stuff they might wonder if I'm Catholic.

I think that religion is one of those subjects that you must be frank and open about. If you pray before you serve lunch, then you need to tell your families that. It's wonderful for your family but it might not be the right care setting for theirs. Full disclosure is the only way to go with a topic like this.

They have never asked and I just never bothered to point it out. WE pray as a family is what I meant,not say grace before lunch. We do say grace at dinner sometimes and do pray every evening before bed. As long as I am not preaching the bible or teaching of Jesus then it does not effect the kids in daycare. I do not hide my Christian statues and plaques etc. It is obvious upon entry that I believe in God. Even passers by surely see the lawn. Unless you are blind you would know. I don't like to open discussions on religion because some people really take off with it and some people can end up offended. Why go there when I will not be teaching children about God during daycare hours? BTW the Mom does believe in God only the Father does not. So not really an issue here. But thanks for the advise

[Abigail]

For all of those who say prayer before meals, do you do it before every meal with the kids or just lunch with all the kids?

Everyone has their own beliefs and I try to avoid heated debates. My opinion, I'm not going to be teaching a religious curriculum, but I will be saying a prayer before lunch. I do have "My First Bible" and other religious books available on the book shelf along with all the rest. I'm not going to advertise as a Christian based daycare because most of our churches offer services that are much more qualified than me. I will tell a parent during the interview when it comes to our schedule that we pray. If parents have an issue and feel uncomfortable then it's not the right place.

As of right now, I don't have anything religious on the walls because the daycare area will be setup like a center and I have not come across anything for the daycare setting yet. I do have a Noah's Ark felt story board set. I did recently order a few things online that have not come yet, but were religious.

I'm a Christian and I will not hide it, but I have not found a church yet. I never grew up believing and my husband is the one who was the best influence ever on me. I got baptised last year just before we got married. I regret that I was never raised in a church and never want my kids (when I have them) to feel the way I feel about being "empty" all those years.

[Sugar Magnolia]

IMO, religious training is best left to parents and their pastor or rabbi. We have two Jewish families and an outwardly atheist family. We don't really "do" Christmas for that very reason. If a child is under 5, do they really understand that stuff anyways? I prefer to just teach kindness, not any particular religion. I am not religious at all and don't pretend to be. I had a parent in an interview once ask me what church I attend. When I said "I don't" I got a scowl and a VERY snide remark ("well that is totally unacceptable") and that attitude doesn't fly with me. I am ALL FOR Bible study, as a church activity, not a preschool activity. Sorry, don't flame on me, I am just indifferent, really.

[familyschoolcare]

IMO, religious training is best left to parents and their pastor or rabbi. We have two Jewish families and an outwardly atheist family. We don't really "do" Christmas for that very reason. If a child is under 5, do they really understand that stuff anyways? I prefer to just teach kindness, not any particular religion. I am not religious at all and don't pretend to be. I had a parent in an interview once ask me what church I attend. When I said "I don't" I got a scowl and a VERY snide remark ("well that is totally unacceptable") and that attitude doesn't fly with me. I am ALL FOR Bible study, as a church activity, not a preschool activity. Sorry, don't flame on me, I am just indifferent, really.

I understand that religious training is best saved for parent at least the bulk of it. I advertise Christian but do not do any religious training I advertise that way so that I can use the word God and Jesus in front of the children, and because as a parent it was important to me that the people taking care of my children shared in my religious beliefs. As you can tell from the scowl and snide remark during the interview it is important to other parents also.

As far as do children under the age of 5 relay understanding this stuff any way the answer is yes. I will not go into details unless someone ask me to.