Today is my daughter's last day of daycare. She has been going there since she was six weeks old (she will be three in January) and she just loves it. However after much thought about our finanacial situation, we are taking her out to stay at home with me. In her classroom, there is a small cabinet where each child has a folder. When you pick up your child, you check the folder for the day's report (what they ate, what they studied, when they pooped :D ), any art projects, any notices, etc.

My question is, would it be appropriate if I put a short note into each folder telling the parents that Riley would no longer be in class but that we would love to get together for a playdate or outing and listed our home/cell numbers and maybe email address. Most of these kids have been together for a long time so I would like to keep in touch. I thought this might be a better way than cornering each parent and demanding their phone numbers. This way if they want to get together with us, they can but I am not demanding a playdate. Am I making sense? If you got a note in your child's folder like this, would you think I was a fruit loop? TIA for any input.

I think it is totally fine!!! In fact, I think it is a good idea. I am sure that the other parents and kids will want to stay intouch and this is a great way.

The only thing is that you may want to check and make sure that the day care provider doesn't have a problem with it. I have no idea why they would have a problem, but out of courtesy you probalby should check that it is OK with them!!!

I would agree to check with the facility first, but that's a great idea. If they're not interested, they can chuck it, but if they are, they'll call you! I know how hard a decision this was for you, and am sure you made the right one. Just think of all the great things you can do together! I bet you cal also stop in to the daycare for a visit once in a while, too! Have fun with Riley!

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~Jenn~

I think it's a great idea. Not fruit loopy at all. It leaves it up to each parent to decide.

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I think it's a little overboard, being the whole class. I'm sure she's isn't close to them all. You would have to check with the daycare, they might not even allow that sort of thing. If they do agree I would just put it in her close friends folders.

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

There are only eight kids in her class. I am sure she is not close with each kid but I didn't want to put a note in some of the kid's folders and not the others, just in case one of the parents who didn't get a note, saw that the other people got notes. Not that I think someone would be devastated that they weren't given a "Riley" note. Sometimes I have a tendancy to overthink things and to be a little to sensitive about stuff.

I've made a gift bag for her main teacher and the other three assistants, plus I am taking in some treats and the stack of notes. I swear I am going to look like a pack mule heading into school today. :D

And thank you ladies for not thinking me too fruitloopy!

I don't see anything wrong with finding out who she pals around with and just doing a note in their folder. Otherwise, leave all eight notes if you want. I wouldn't be offended at all to get said note, and I would probably call you.

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The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is best after all.
- -- Benjamin Spock

I think it is a great idea to give the other parents your number especially since they have been together that long. I worked at a daycare facility for three years and began staying home in January. My four year old still talks about her friends and it has been 10 months of not being with them. I gave our number out to several parents as I also had a two year old at the school. We have had many playdates for both my girls with their old friends. I think the parents would like that since many parents never meet one another and lots of times those young children don't get many playdates since they don't know other parents of small children. Your daycare probably wouldn't have a policy regarding this either. Good luck with staying home. You will be rewarded.

Carol,
I was just checking in and seeing how the day ended. I bet there were tears--not sure if it was just the teachers' or your's, also.

I'm so glad you thought to do this. I think it was a wonderful idea. Perhaps they will let you stop in with her occasionally to visit. I did that with my son, and he enjoyed it - he was only 9 months when I pulled him out. His visits were only about 15 minutes, but it was great for all. Teachers and directors got to see him grow and he got to keep up with his little friends for awhile.

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