Starting My Morning in Home Childcare.
Operating a home childcare means starting the day with intention—especially when it’s too cold to go outside. Today, I kicked off my morning with a Billy Blanks workout—the best way to ground myself before a busy day ahead. A hot shower soothed my achy bones, followed by a simple but satisfying breakfast: sourdough toast, turkey sausage, and coffee. As I settled at the table, I took a moment to read my Bible, then tidied up my phone—deleting photos and videos that no longer served me.
miss Sue working out in her daycare before school starts
Bitter Cold Mornings in Home Childcare
At 8:12 AM, the bell rang, and two families greeted me. It was a bitterly cold, sunless morning—just 7°F. The frost clinging to my screen door was a sign that today would be an indoor-only day in my home childcare.
One of the biggest challenges of home childcare in winter is that some days are too cold to go outside. When the temperatures drop this low, we stay indoors—but that comes with its own challenges.
children at patio door looking at the snow outdoors
Indoor Activities When It’s Too Cold to Go Outside
I had all five children today, and although I planned for a fully child-led day, my little ones naturally gravitate toward projects.
- My older children eagerly continued their sewing project—a craft they’d been working on for some time.
loose parts sewing project by my preschoolers
- My toddlers, fully immersed in the gathering, transporting, and enveloping play schema, spent the morning wrapping dolls in scarves, cradling them in their bosoms, and playing pretend mom.
child playing mom with baby doll
We also had art time—the children enjoyed coloring on the black-and-white stamped butcher paper stretched across our table, using wet chalk to bring their creations to life. We often use wet sidewalk chalk on the black tarp in summer, and today, we recreated that sensory experience indoors with craft square pastel chalk.
paint collaboration using wet chalk on butcher paper
The Challenge of Staying Indoors in Home Childcare
Indoor-only days always feel a little longer, and they tire me more.
In my home childcare, the children are used to playing outside see episode 3 our snowy day . They love:
- The floor is a lava
- Chasing each other
- Sledding
- Playing in the sandbox
- Watching birds
- Making snow pies
Outdoor play helps them burn off so much energy—and they’re happier. But when it’s too cold to go outside, the energy stays inside—swirling like a winter storm. And today, I felt every bit of it—I felt warped.
child measuring a play stand
A Cozy Storytime and Dramatic Play
For lunch, we gathered together and read two books:
Elmer in the Snow – a favorite!
Time to Sleep– a beautiful story about winter hibernation, following a bear, a snail, a skunk, a turtle, a woodchuck, and a ladybug preparing for winter’s rest.
book read to children during lunch
After lunch, the children went right back into dramatic play. Normally, I remind them to tone it down, or put on the classical music but today… I just let them be.
Some days are like that. The day felt long but was filled with:
Play, imagination, process art, and stories. Fleeting childhood moments that are so beautiful and fulfilling, yet for us adults, they sometimes leave us watching the clock, wishing for the day’s end.
children gifts and art from friends
Wrapping Up the Week in Home Childcare
Now that the children have gone home, I’m finally sitting at my dining table with a warm cup of red clover tea. Their bedding is already in the laundry, the workweek is officially over, and I am deeply grateful that Monday is a holiday.
To my fellow home childcare providers, I see you. I know this work. I know the joy, the exhaustion, and the deep love we pour into each day. And yet, we open our doors again and again, welcoming children into a space that feels like home.
We made it through the week. We closed it with an accident-free day. And now, we sign off, relax, and enjoy our families, our weekend, and our lives beyond business.
drinking a cup of red clover tea
See You Next Week!
Until next time—FYI, I am closed on Monday, so I will likely check in again on Tuesday. I’m trying to write these episodes only when the childcare is open. Have an amazing weekend!
Much love,
Miss Sue
