The Rural Voice, 1989-12, Page 53year, family pets must be vaccinated
for rabies, toys and play equipment
must be cleaned and disinfected
regularly, and a first aid kit is a must.
Emergency phone numbers must
be posted by the telephone, along with
file cards listing specific medical
information and telephone numbers
for each child.
Television is limited to one hour a
day. "I don't have a schedule, a daily
routine," says Mary Ann Kirkconnell.
"I do a lot of planning in my head.
We all do a craft every morning and
there is time for supervised play. I try
to provide a learning environment and
the appropriate toys for the different
age groups. Painting, for example, is
a good craft for all ages."
Special precautions are taken
because of the Kirkconnells' dairy
operation. "I buy all the milk for the
children I care for," Kirkconnell says.
"The children are definitely not
allowed near hay wagons or tractors,
not even my own children. All it takes
is one groundhog hole to throw a child
off machinery."
But there are two older boys who,
with their parents' permission, help
the oldest Kirkconnell children feed
calves. "These chores are teaching the
boys to work together. It is more fun
if there are others helping."
Kirkconnell has "back-up help."
Without it, she says, the program
would not be as successful. A neigh-
bour and Kirkconnell's husband assist
when needed. The neighbour comes
and stays with the youngest children
so that the oldest ones can go to the
movies, swimming lessons, or on a
picnic with Kirkconnell.
As Kirkconnell is a full-time
homemaker and childcare provider,
any help with farm work comes from
hired help or through trading work
with neighbours. "I had Bob teach me
to do the milking in case of emergen-
cies," she says. "Now I start the
morning milking and do the night
milking. That's one reason why I
don't ask him to teach me how to
drive the tractor!" she smiles.
"Besides, I'm needed in the house.
When the children are resting I can
catch up on household chores. The
extra income from childcare providing
is nice, and I don't have to take my
kids to a babysitter."
THE SHREWD
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See one of these participating dealers:
McGAVIN FARM EQUIPMENT, Walton 519-887-6365 ...519-527-0245
SWANSTON FARM EQUIPMENT, Rockwood 519-856-9512
SOUTHVIEW SALES & SERVICE, St. Marys 519-349-2531
DON HENNESSY LTD., Duntroon 705-445-1076
SCONE SERVICE CENTRE, Chesley 519-363-2431
C&G FARM SUPPLY, Zurich 519-236-4934
NEW HAMBURG FARM SERVICE, New Hamburg 519-662-3491
DECEMBER 1989 51