Focus on outdoor improvements
While some interior tasks are appropriate for volunteers, these community days are perfect for tackling outdoor projects that might be too physically demanding for teachers to do during the week. Outdoor tasks allow for more social interaction and often require "all hands on deck."
Consider adding these tasks to your sign-up list:
- Gardening: Spreading mulch, weeding flower beds, or planting seasonal flowers.
- Playground maintenance: Power-washing play structures, raking sandboxes, or inspecting fences.
- Exterior cleaning: Washing exterior windows, sweeping walkways, and clearing gutters (if safety equipment is available).
Making it a social gathering
The secret to a successful volunteer day is framing it as a community gathering rather than a chore. You want families to leave feeling energized and connected, not just tired.
Provide coffee and donuts in the morning to welcome volunteers. If the budget allows, offer a pizza lunch or organize a potluck where families bring a dish to share after the work is done. Playing upbeat music and allowing children to play in a supervised area (if safe) can turn a day of work into a fun family memory. When the work feels like a community effort, families are more likely to return for the next one.
The Ultimate Cleaning Guide for Childcare Programs
Use this guide to create safe and healthy spaces for children, staff, and families.
2. Leveraging skilled volunteers for repairs
Beyond general cleaning, your family community is likely full of hidden talents. Tapping into these specific skills can save your program money and result in high-quality improvements to your facility.
Tapping into family talents
You may be surprised to find that you have professional carpenters, painters, plumbers, or landscapers among your families. The best way to discover these resources is to ask directly.
At the beginning of the school year or during enrollment, send out a "Skills and Interests" survey. Ask families if they have specific trade skills or hobbies they would be willing to share with the program. Be sure to ask about:
- Carpentry and woodworking
- Painting and drywall repair
- Landscaping and gardening
- Plumbing or electrical knowledge
- Sewing or textile repair
Scheduling weekend projects
Once you have identified your skilled volunteers, you can schedule specific days for maintenance tasks. Instead of a general clean-up, these are targeted sessions to fix broken fences, paint a classroom that needs a refresh, or assemble new furniture.
By matching the task to the volunteer's expertise, you ensure the job is done correctly and safely. Furthermore, volunteers often feel a greater sense of pride when they can contribute their specific professional talents to help the school.
Donations of materials
Not every family has the time or the physical ability to volunteer for manual labor, and that is okay. Offer alternative ways to contribute by asking for material donations. Families might be willing to donate supplies like paint, lumber, cleaning products, or garden tools to support the projects. This allows everyone to feel involved in the improvement of the childcare program, regardless of their schedule or skillset.
3. Implementing weekly laundry rotations
Soft items in a classroom—such as dress-up clothes, cushion covers, cot sheets, and soft toys—can be magnets for germs. Keeping up with laundry can be a significant burden for staff, often requiring them to stay late or take items home themselves. A family laundry rotation is a simple, high-impact way to share this load.
Sharing the load on soft items
The "Friday Folder" or "Laundry Bag" concept is a popular strategy in many cooperative preschools. Create a rotating schedule where families take home a bag of laundry on Friday afternoon and return the items clean and folded on Monday morning.
This consistent rotation ensures that soft items are sanitized regularly without pulling teachers away from lesson planning or classroom preparation. It fosters a culture where everyone chips in to keep the classroom healthy.
Providing clear instructions
To ensure items are cleaned to childcare standards, you must provide clear guidance. Simply handing off a bag of dirty laundry can lead to confusion or ruined items.
Include a laminated instruction card attached to the reusable laundry bag. This card should detail:
- Washing settings: Specify hot water cycles for sanitizing or delicate cycles for dress-up clothes.
- Detergent: Request hypoallergenic or fragrance-free detergent to prevent allergic reactions among children.
- Drying: Indicate which items can be tumble dried and which need to air dry.
- Inventory: List the items in the bag so families can ensure everything is returned.
Offering opt-out options
While many families are happy to help, it is crucial to remain mindful of different home situations. Not every family has a washer and dryer in their home, and for some, a trip to the laundromat is a significant expense and time commitment.
Make the laundry program voluntary. You can frame it as an opt-in opportunity at the start of the year. Alternatively, if you assign dates, ensure there is a judgment-free way for families to swap weeks or opt out entirely. By offering alternative ways to contribute—such as donating a bottle of detergent or sanitizing wipes—you ensure the program remains inclusive.
Building a stronger community through shared care
Each of these strategies above serves a dual purpose: maintaining a safe, clean environment for the children and strengthening the bond between home and school.
When families invest their time and effort into your program, they feel more connected to your mission. They see firsthand the effort required to maintain a high-quality learning environment, leading to a deeper appreciation for the hard work you and your staff do every day.
