#playgroup au

[fanaticsnail]

Grand Line Playgroup

Masterlist Here

Word Count: 1,200+

Synopsis: Adoptive parents have all taken the initiative to join together with their children to form: Grand Line Playgroup. This is the way it usually goes at playgroup: filled with shenanigans, support, and most importantly love for their children. 

Themes: the adoptive parents of one piece, all children are all relatively aged 3 to 7, but Robin is 10, au they all live, modern au, platonic, not an “x reader” fic, parenting drabble, fluff, nonsense. 

Parents: Mihawk, Rosinante (Corazon), Bellemere, Dadan, Zeff, Uncle Beckman, Shanks, Garp, and Smoker.

Children: Perona, Zoro, Law(rence), Nojiko, Nami, Uta, Ace, Sabo, Luffy, Sanji, Uta, Koby, Helmeppo, Robin, and Tashigi.

Notes: A small drabble about what it would be like if the one-piece characters were adoptive parents to an assortment of their toddler counterparts. This silly brain-worm was brought to you by several conversations with @feral-artistry & @writingmysanity, and the bestest aunties @since-im-already-here & @sordidmusings. This worm got to me and I needed to get it out. Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Tag List: @mfreedomstuff, @gingernut1314, @vespidphoenix, @i-am-vita

Dracule Mihawk arrives at Grand Line Playgroup ten minutes early every single Tuesday. He has a personalized gothic embroidered bag for both of his children filled with snacks, changes of clothes, water bottles, first aid kits, and a book for him to read while his two children play.

He wears matching nail polish with his daughter, Perona: today, she chose pink with black accents. He has parenting down to a fine art, everything always perfectly planned for any circumstances. Zoro takes out a collection of sporting equipment and begins kicking around a soccer ball as he waits for his friends to join him. 

The next to arrive is Donquixote Rosinante. He always attempts to get there early: set up his variety of bags to ensure his son, Lawrence, has everything he needs to enjoy his time at playgroup. His hair is a blonde, fluffy mess of mopped curls, his clothes disheveled and askew, but his smile is always cheerful despite his constant exhausted exasperated state. 

Law is a quiet child, not really engaging with Perona as she sets up a mock tea-party, nor Zoro as he kicks the ball against the wall. He, instead, opts to sit quietly alone and read a picture book in comfortable silence. 

Mihawk offers Rosinante a moist towelette, gesturing wordlessly to his lips, cheeks and right eye where Law graffitied art with permanent marker on his face as he slept. Rosinante gives him a gratuitous smile, huffing his laughter as he scrubs at his face with the towelette. 

The next to arrive is Rosinante’s old work colleague, Bellemere, with her two daughters in tow. Nami and Nojiko were walking arm in arm before rushing off to join Perona in her tea party. Bellemere gives Rosinante a clap on his shoulder, nodding her acknowledgement to Mihawk before taking her elected seat. 

As the clock ticks over to 10am: a small bundle of nervous, chaotic energy bounces inside the door and over the walls. This flash of black hair was followed immediately by a small blonde child that stares, unblinkingly, at Law. Dadan is exasperated as she carries an older and asleep Ace in her arms, attempting to catch up with Luffy to rein him in and set up. 

Rosinante springs into action, offering to ferry Luffy towards his regular playmate, Zoro. As Luffy nearly joins Zoro, he is instead drawn to the sticker book Law is holding containing bugs, beetles and arachnids. Luffy becomes entranced by the stickers: and he and Law begin cataloging them by shape, size and type over pages of lined paper. 

Dadan sighs, already exhausted although her day has barely begun. Rosinante smiles and fawns over the two dark-haired boys before resuming his seat beside Bellemere, talking about the latest gossip at his old workplace and the shenanigans his colleagues' love lives.

As if on queue, Ace wakes up and immediately springs out of Dadan’s arms, hurrying over to Zoro and joining him by kicking the ball against the wall. Sabo backs into the corner of the room and glares with his pale, blue eyes at Perona’s tea-party with intrigue. 

After Dadan, in comes Benn Beckman with his niece, Uta. Uta bounces on her heels as she runs over to Sabo, doing all in her power to make the small blonde smile instead of glare. She has a cheery disposition, guaranteed to always get a smile out of the quiet boy the longer she sings and pulls faces at him.

Zeff is the next, his young son, Sanji, sprinting towards the soccer ball and easily stealing it away from Zoro. They immediately get into a heated fistfight: legs and limbs flying as they butt heads as to who's turn it is to kick the ball next. Mihawk sighs, immediately rising to his feet to play referee to the match as Beckman places Uta's bag beside Perona's. 

Arriving late, and with his two adoptive sons Koby and Helmeppo, strolls Garp. Dadan glares at him, up turning her lip in a snarl as Garp shepherds his boys into the room. The tension is thick between these two due to Garp's history of dropping off children at Dadan's and not returning to raise them himself. She refuses to help with the latest two additions to his family, although she cares for them greatly. Sabo nods at Koby, Helmeppo scoffs at Uta. 

Another late arrival is a larger gentleman with his quiet and older daughter, Robin. Sir Crocodile is dripping in luxury brands, gold rings and smells of expensive colognes. Robin immediately humors Perona, Nami and Nojiko by playing mother in their tea party adventure. 

“Mihawk,” the larger man gruffy nods in acknowledgement. 

“Crocodile,” Mihawk mirrors his tone, gesturing with his chin to take a seat beside him. Sir Crocodile takes his seat before unrolling the newspaper tucked beneath his arm and beginning to read. 

As the children interact together, the more talkative parents swap parenting advice amongst one another. 

Rosinante asks for support with Law's current food aversion. How does he get this child to eat grained carbohydrates without him gagging about the fact it's bread? Dadan is a seasoned expert in parenting at this stage, still ignoring Garp as Garp speaks to Mihawk about his blonde son’s latest interest in kendo. 

Bellemere joins in the conversation, Mihawk leaving as the topic changes to work and joining beside Beckman who is silently brooding on the chair beside Crocodile. 

“No Shanks today?” Mihawk quips at the larger man. 

“No Shanks today,” Beckman parrotted in return with a disgruntled and gruff growl. 

As if the mere mention of his name summoned his presence, in comes the red-haired Shanks in a lazy and cheerful stupor. His socks are raised to his knees, tucked into some comfortable sandals on his feet. His cargo shorts are tied loosely on his hips by a brown belt, and his patterned shirt is open to expose his bare chest. 

Glasses are lying lazily on his head as he extends an enthusiastic smile at the children before acknowledging the adults. An enthusiastic chorus of “Uncle Shanks!” echoes throughout the playspace, a flash of small bodies immediately moving to tackle and engulf the redhead in a warm embrace. 

Shanks falls on his ass, holding high his coffee cup as he laughs at Luffy, Uta, Ace and Sabo as they enthusiastically clutch at him with grabby hands. Their faces all shine with the utmost adoration at the redhead, who shoots Beckman and Dadan a wink while mouthing: “I'm still the favorite.”

Beckman sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as Dadan rolls her eyes at him. 

The adults are finally all gathered for their children’s weekly playgroup, the kids settle into playing amongst themselves once again. Shanks offers Beckman a smile before offering him the half-drunk coffee cup. The taller man takes a sip, choking on the liquid as the surprising burn of warmed alcohol scorches his throat so early in the morning. 

As their meeting draws to a soft close, a knock at the door interrupts their close knit conversation. 

“I heard there was a playgroup in here?” a gruff voice rumbled at the door. White hair and the scent of tobacco immediately sprung through the hallway. In arrived a large gentleman, another common associate of Garp, Bellemere and Rosinante who immediately sprung up to greet him. 

Smoker presented ushered a quiet child into the room, her uncertainty was one the children knew well. Immediately, Luffy sprang up from his arachnid archiving with Law and went to introduce himself to the girl. Smoker smiled at the interaction, nodding to Tashigi as an indicator for her to go ahead and play, before joining Bellemere and Rosinante. 

“Finally decided to foster, Smoker?” Bellemere smiled, embracing him into her warm and welcoming arms. Smoker returns her gesture, tapping her on the shoulder and releasing her from the embrace. 

“Foster? Not a chance,” he smirked, pulling away and smiling at the purple-haired woman, “Adopting.”

[be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie]

EVEN FUCKING MORE Things My Dad Says/Does That Modern AU Jake Sully Would Also Say:

-Jake repeatedly tells Neytiri he needs her to make a list of the kids shoe sizes and favorite foods in case she dies unexpectedly. It was less of a joke when the kids were all little and growing constantly. 

-Jake picked up Lo’ak and his friends from It with red balloons floating in the trunk. When Spider noticed he screamed, which started a chain reaction and Kiri cackled at them. Lo’ak insisted he didn’t scream, and that may have been true, but he definitely screamed when he went to get in bed only to find another red balloon under the covers. They all woke up the next morning to him screaming again at the one Jake put it the shower. Jake and Kiri found this utterly hilarious.

-On Thursday’s before Tuk started kindergarten, Lo’ak, Neteyam, Kiri, and Spider got picked up from school by Tsu’tey. This was because Jake took Tuk to playgroup on Thursday’s (this is where she met Popiti). One Thursday when they got out of Tsu’tey’s truck, Jake wasn’t at the door to great them. Instead he was at the window. He yelled “HI KIDS” and startedabsolutelyy blasting them with nerf darts. Tuk popped around the door with another nerf gun, and suddenly Tsu’tey pulled one out of the car. It was brutal, it was like the Red Wedding. No survivors.

-When Neytiri had Tuk, her work sent her flowers. Jake crossed out the name of her company in pen and wrote his own as Mo’at helped her in the door, then presented them to her and said he bought them. She laughed so hard she had to sit on the floor. 

-Whenever anything breaks, it’s like *Home Depot Theme Song* “no, don’t call the mechanic, Neytiri, NORM SPELLMAN can fix that.” Jake has nO delusions about his own skills. But if a pipe breaks, a fuse blows, maybe the TV stops working: that’s a problem for Norm Spellman. Norm bitches and moans but once he gets there the problem is interesting/boring enough for him to talk and Jake always sits there and lets him ramble if he makes the sink run again. 

-One time they went on vacation and Jake wouldn’t stop calling every tourists outfit “The Jake” because they’re all wearing shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers. Lo’ak and Kiri wanted to strangle him. 

[brandileigh2003]

Masterpost: Here's my rec lists!

•main, •Hidden gems/underrated fics, •wips, •chronic illness/disability/deaf/blind, •trans remus/Sirius, •older aged wolfstar, •fluff, •raising harry and/or teddy, •autism, •mcd, •Asexuality, •texting, •tattoo parlor, •Holidays, •coffee shop, flower shop or bakery, •Hogwarts era, •divergent post-azkaban, bring back black, lie low at lupins •athletes

•Recs part2 •one shot version, •my to reread list, •my read a 3rd time, •jegulus

(I try to keep all of these updated (at the bottom of each) and always feel free to tell me what I missed, or give a self rec)

*please give these authors love if you like their work*

My fics are currently hidden. They will probably be back so I am keeping this post. Besides, I'm proud of my rec lists.

Silence between us a soft wolfstar falling in love, features Sirius dealing with anxiety, and remus who is deaf and has an adorable service dog. (Complete, 30k)

Silence between us universe: can stand alone, but will have some spoilers for main fic. collection of one shots, more to be added. Silence within remus' pov of silence between us, Signs Between Us, Where the Silence Began

---All completed unless marked, no particular order---

Collapsing: 1st war divergent wip, accident leaves Remus severely injured. (17k now complete)

A New Chapter (26k) follows trans remus from Hogwarts through divergent end of the war, studying how lycanthropy and disability affects his life and relationships

Inevitable When you finally fall in love, you never expect that you'll have to lose them way too soon. Cancer fic with MCD. Ending did help me heal some from heartbreak though. (8k)

A Matter of Loyalty (13k) 1st war divergent fic, dual pov, angst, check tags, now completed

DN(R): lie low at lupins, canon divergent. Remus explains what led him to get a "DNR" tattoo (3k)

Identically pining Hogwarts era 1 shot. mutual wolfstar pining, identical twins sirius and regulus where Reg decides to help get them together. Remus is disabled. (6k)

I've got you: hurt/comfort sickfics (56k)

Other Side of the Screen: sirius falls for remus' voice, even more as they become online friends. But there's still a lot they don't know about each other. (3k)

Memories of you: Exploration of Sirius' grief in two parts. (7k)

Through the Years: older wolfstar. Married with grandkids (2k)

Parks and Playdates: Remus didn't imagine joining a playgroup would bring so much joy into his life (4k)

I don't wanna be anything other than me trans fest fic: Lily and remus friendship, remus transitioning at school, pining Remus (4k)

Tears of Blood: mcd, 1 shot, historical fic exploring Spanish influenza (3k)

Hearts finally in sync: divergent lie low at lupin's (3k)

House of cards: 1st wizarding war wolfstar internal thoughts (3k)

Bad practices: remus is spiraling bc of his past and Sirius helps him work through it (make sure to check tags) (2k)

It all comes back around: centering around two run-ins with boggarts (5k)

The truth sets no one free: Sirius was given a trial and gets his freedom but it's at a steep cost. One that he'd rather not pay.

I would do it again: fluffy and sappy wolfstar

An unlikely place to fall in love: au/modern 1 shot: both chronically ill and meet in the hospital (2k)

Guarding remus au/modern 1 shot high school colorguard fic, Sirius pov, ft trans remus (7k)

In Every Universe: series of unrelated one shots for FFF. Updates when inspired by prompt.

Song Interrupted siren Sirius who wants a way to not have to kill to live. (4k)

A matter of choice sirius turns to alcohol after a bad mission and he's questioning choices and love (1k)

On sinking ships (you showed up just in time): Titanic dorlene fic with no mcd (14k)

How to find me: i'm on tiktok and Instagram. I have Twitter and youtube under same screen name but I don't do anything over there.

[deusvervewrites]

I just came up with a fun au for your next ask game. On a related note, how's your knowledge of D&D and whatnot?

I fell out of almost exactly a year ago when Wizards of the Coast began their crusade to destroy the long-held monopoly held by Wizards of the Coast and am now looking into others, such as the MCDM RPG, Lancer, Fabula Ultima, GlitterHearts, (insert the hundreds of RPGs I've gotten in charity Itch bundles), etc.

Before then I was the designated Rules Lawyer of my playgroup(s) because I was the only motherfucker who read the damn book.

This is a calloutpost about Spare the Dying and True Strike.

[scumbagjaeger]

we neeeeedd more gamer porco please !!

GAMER!PORCO HEADCANONS

Starring: Porco Galliard

Rating: 18+

Notes: Thanks so much for your ask!! I jotted down most of these while I was on a train back to London so I’d say there’s quite a bit?? Hopefully you like them! If you want to see more of these individual in-depth character hcs, let me know here!

- Porco probably started playing video-games at an early age because of Marcel

- Lowkey probably he was terrified at first??? Marcel would play these games with the weirdest monsters and creatures and poor baby Porco couldn’t handle it :(

- But he loved watching his brother and when he was old enough he started to play!

- Speaking of Marcel, I bet he’d be really into DOTA and League, but he has his own play group because of distance

- Secretly, I always hc Marcel as going to college or working in Europe or something while Porco is in the US? That’s why they don’t stream together regularly!

- But every now and then Porco does a stream at an obscure time so they can play together(:

- Speaking of streams, I totally see Porco streaming on Twitch someday?? He’d be hesitant to do it at first because he’s a busy guy and he wouldn’t want it to be a big hassle, but he just starts streaming casually

- Has a minecraft realm with Marcel, Colt, Pieck, Bertholdt, etc (Reiner and Zeke don’t play video games lets be honest they can hardly use a computer)

- Combining my two AUs (gamers and college students), Reiner is the captain of the soccer team that Porco’s on so he gets included now and then

- Like Porco will convince Reiner to join the server once in a blue moon and he spends the entire night harassing the guy

- Poor Reiner doesn’t even know what a crafting table is and Porco has his best netherite gear on, hiding in the treetops above him, ready to attack

- Porco tells his chat that he hates Reiner because he makes them run extra laps at practice (and Reiner says back that they need to run more if they want to have a chance at winning their upcoming tournament!)

- Brings Reiner into the nether just to tell him to place a bed and go to sleep in it xoxo

- I think that Porco might be really into 100% completing games and speed runs but he’s SO BAD AT THEM

- Honestly on his channel it becomes a joke where he calls everything a speedrun

- He pauses his game “okay guys brb doing a G-fuel speedrun”, or “gotta piss, bathroom speedrun”

- He’s not very good at games like DOTA, he’s decent at Call of Duty, but he doesn’t like to stream them because he doesn’t understand why someone would watch a mediocre player?

- But as he gets comfortable he starts to open up more and play for fun, and people watch just for him and his personality!

- As his partner you also probably get roped into playing with him now and then if you mention being down to do so! If you’re not he won’t push it(:

- Always refers to you by name on stream because he assumes his fans all know you??? Like duh you’re the love of his life how would they NOT know who (Y/N) is.

- And he talks about you a lot. Probably too much?

- Unfortunately he might share one or two personal details or stories that you might not want him to tell

- Nothing too bad!! Just like “oh (Y/N) drooled all over my pillow last night so I’m running the sheets through the wash, in case you guys hear my alarm go off” (unrelated but he keeps an alarm on for the washer and dryer because he hates when they start to smell mildewy and get wrinkled!)

- “Y/N doesn’t like drinking milk because it makes her really gassy and then she—” the stream abruptly ends

- Honestly he has a pretty monotone voice when it comes to his streams? Probably sounds annoyed half the time (and he is, when he’s playing DOTA with his playgroup)

-The only time he like actively perks up is when he’s with you or talking about you

- Ngl but he’d stream the dumbest games with you?? Like Webkinz, Club Penguin, the Sims, etc

- “Girls Go Games with (Y/N)” and you play dumb games about taking Queen Elsa to the dentist, or dress her up for tea with Anna, etc

- He’d probably take them weirdly seriously though?? “No chat I’m not putting her in the orange dress it’ll clash with the theme of the tea party”

- He probably drinks G fuel or other energy dreams during his streams?

- Starts each stream with a ‘just chatting’ segment where he talks with his chat and then tries a new G fuel favorite

- Cries when he gets a G fuel sponsorship (‘:

- Would play a couple games with Connie honestly, also random ones

- Anything from Chess to Wikipedia races to more Girls Go Games

- Have you seen that clip of Jschlatt playing chess, and he’s SO CONFIDENT about beating his opponent but then proceeds to get check-mated in two turns?? That’s so Porco. Connie doesn’t even know how to play and he check-mates Porco out of pure chance

- Also they have a Sims household together for some reason?? You and Porco are streaming, about to open your cute household file where you have a cute apartment and a lil dog together, and you see a new file titled “ABOMINATIONS FROM H3LL” and they’re just the scariest looking sims ever. And they’re all pregnant for some reason?

- When he plays with his League/DOTA group (Eren, Jean, Armin, Connie), they’ll also play other games on stream

- Like Among Us or Phasmophobia

- And he’s so bad at them!!!

- I bet he’d play a lot of Pokémon games on stream?? That’s a game from his childhood that he’d watch Marcel play that DIDN’T scare the shit outta him xoxo

- Does a Nuzzlocke version of every single Pokémon game, probably does a marathon of sorts for charity at one point(‘:

- On casual plays, he makes sure he has an Umbreon in every game possible because it’s his favorite Pokemon, as well as whatever your favorite is!! Names it after you and actually feels really bad when it faints :(

- I think every now and then he’d be SO EXCITED to play with you??

- Like with my last set of gamer headcanons, before you and him started playing together it was just sort of his private time to relax after school?

- So once he’s comfortable and embraced that dorky side of him (and knows that you are also a dork lol) he’ll literally pick you up and carry you over his shoulder towards your desk

- “C’mon let’s play a quick round of DOTA! I have a really good feeling about it, I’ll play support :D”

- Honestly I don’t think he’d be the biggest fan of games with stories?? Just because he can get busy with school and soccer and ends up forgetting the plot oops

- But he’d definitely watch you play and join in now and then if you want!

- I don’t think he’d like the 1 player games where you have to make decisions that would impact the ending (like Until Dawn)?? Just because he’d be super panicked about making the right decision

- “Pork baby there is no “right” ending, your choices will lead you to the ending that best fits your game” “No (y/n) I need to make sure every single character survives!!!”

- He’ll play them though because they’re recommended by his twitch followers?? And then his chat tells him all of the wrong choices

- Sorry it’s easy to push his buttons lol

- Doesn’t like his chat calling you guys mom and dad because he thinks it’s weird “I haven’t even proposed to her yet guys stop”

- But he’s also been caught with “Porco x (Y/N) best moments” and similar past searches 🫢

[jin-zixun]

uh wip/story idea poll, but instead of being worded badly, the ideas themselves are just terrible.

(yes all of them are about jin zixun! its not like i like him or anything!)

((uhh how about this, even if its just 1 vote ill write it by the end of the weekend. taxes who?))

[thatcrazyscreamer]

(Old drawing) Playgroup!AU.

[talphaend]

Child care

Introduction (approx. 1,000 words)

- Definition of child care

- Importance of quality child care

- Brief overview of the article's contents

II. Types of Child Care (approx. 2,000 words)

- Center-based care

- Home-based care

- Family child care

- In-home care

- Nanny care

III. Benefits of Child Care (approx. 2,500 words)

- Cognitive development

- Social-emotional development

- Physical development

- Language and literacy skills

- Preparation for school

IV. Child Care Settings (approx. 2,500 words)

- Child care centers

- Home-based settings

- Group child care

- Drop-in centers

- Parent-child playgroups

V. Child Care Providers (approx. 2,000 words)

- Qualifications and training

- Roles and responsibilities

- Characteristics of effective providers

- Provider-child relationships

VI. Child Development and Child Care (approx. 3,000 words)

- Infant care (0-12 months)

- Toddler care (1-3 years)

- Preschool care (3-5 years)

- School-age care (5-12 years)

VII. Safety and Health in Child Care (approx. 2,000 words)

- Health and safety standards

- Injury prevention

- Illness management

- Nutrition and meal planning

VIII. Child Care Policies and Regulations (approx. 1,500 words)

- Licensing and accreditation

- Staff qualifications and training

- Child-staff ratios

- Program standards

IX. Conclusion (approx. 1,000 words)

- Recap of key points

- Importance of quality child care

- Future directions in child care

Introduction

Child care is a vital component of modern society, providing young children with a safe, nurturing environment while their parents or guardians are at work or pursuing other responsibilities. Quality child care is essential for children's cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development. It also plays a critical role in preparing them for formal education and lifelong learning.

The importance of child care cannot be overstated. With more women participating in the workforce and single-parent households on the rise, child care has become a necessity for many families. Moreover, research has shown that high-quality child care is linked to better academic achievement, social skills, and emotional well-being.

Types of Child Care

Child care comes in various forms, each catering to different needs, ages, and preferences. Understanding the types of child care is essential for parents, caregivers, and educators to make informed decisions. Let's explore the most common types:

1. Center-Based Care: These are dedicated facilities that provide care and education to children in a group setting. They often have structured programs, qualified staff, and age-appropriate activities.

2. Home-Based Care: This type of care takes place in the child's own home or the caregiver's home. It offers a more personalized and flexible environment, often with smaller child-to-adult ratios.

3. Family Child Care: A variation of home-based care, where the caregiver provides care for multiple children in their own home.

4. In-Home Care: One-on-one care provided in the child's own home, often by a nanny or au pair.

5. Nanny Care: A dedicated caregiver who provides individualized care for a child or children in their own home.

6. Group Child Care: A small group of children, often from multiple families, cared for together in a home or center.

7. Drop-In Centers: Flexible, short-term care for children, usually on a hourly or daily basis.

8. Parent-Child Playgroups: Informal gatherings of parents and children, focusing on socialization and play-based learning.

Each type of child care has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Some prioritize socialization, while others focus on personalized attention. When choosing a child care option, consider factors like cost, location, and the child's individual needs.

Benefits of Child Care

Quality child care provides numerous benefits for young children, their families, and society as a whole. Some of the most significant advantages include:

1. Cognitive Development: Child care stimulates early learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

2. Social-Emotional Development: Child care helps children develop essential life skills like communication, empathy, and self-awareness.

3. Physical Development: Child care promotes healthy habits, gross and fine motor skills, and overall physical well-being.

4. Language and Literacy Skills: Child care exposes children to diverse language experiences, laying the foundation for future reading and writing abilities.

5. Preparation for School: Child care eases the transition to formal education, helping children adapt to structured environments and academic expectations.

6. Parental Support: Child care enables parents to pursue education, career goals, or other responsibilities, knowing their children are safe and supported.

7. Socialization: Child care provides opportunities for children to interact with peers, make friends, and develop essential social skills.

8. Early Intervention: Child care professionals may identify potential developmental delays or special needs, allowing for early intervention and support.

9. Community Building: Child care centers and programs often serve as hubs for family engagement, community resources, and social connections.

10. Economic Benefits: Child care contributes to workforce productivity, employer satisfaction, and overall economic growth.

By understanding the benefits of child care, we can better appreciate the critical role it plays in supporting young children's development, families' well-being, and society's prosperity.

Child Care Settings

Child care takes place in various settings, each with its unique characteristics, advantages, and considerations. Let's explore the most common child care settings:

1. Child Care Centers: Dedicated facilities that provide care and education to children in a group setting.

2. Home-Based Settings: Care provided in the child's own home or the caregiver's home.

3. Group Child Care Homes: A small group of children cared for together in a home.

4. Drop-In Centers: Flexible, short-term care for children, usually on an hourly or daily basis.

5. Parent-Child Playgroups: Informal gatherings of parents and children, focusing on socialization and play-based learning.

6. School-Based Care: Care provided before or after school hours, often on school premises.

7. Community-Based Care: Care provided in community centers, churches, or other public spaces.

8. Corporate Child Care: On-site care provided by employers for their employees' children.

9. Military Child Care: Care provided for military families, often on bases or through subsidized programs.

10. Temporary Care: Short-term care for children during special events, conferences, or emergencies.

When choosing a child care setting, consider factors like location, cost, staffing, curriculum, and the child's individual needs.

Child Care Providers

Child care providers are the backbone of the child care system, playing a vital role in shaping young minds and supporting families. Let's explore the different types of child care providers:

1. Child Care Center Staff: Teachers, assistants, and directors who work in child care centers.

2. Family Child Care Providers: Caregivers who provide care in their own homes for multiple children.

3. In-Home Caregivers: Nannies, au pairs, and other caregivers who provide one-on-one care in the child's own home.

4. Group Child Care Home Providers: Caregivers who provide care for a small group of children in their own home.

5. Drop-In Center Staff: Caregivers who provide short-term care for children on an hourly or daily basis.

6. Parent-Child Playgroup Leaders: Facilitators who lead informal gatherings of parents and children.

7. School-Based Care Staff: Caregivers who provide before- or after-school care on school premises.

8. Community-Based Care Providers: Caregivers who provide care in community centers, churches, or other public spaces.

9. Corporate Child Care Staff: Caregivers employed by companies to provide on-site care for employees' children.

10. Military Child Care Providers: Caregivers who provide care for military families, often on bases or through subsidized programs.

Child care providers should possess certain qualities, such as:

- Patience

- Creativity

- Flexibility

- Communication skills

- Ability to build trust

- Knowledge of child development

- First aid and safety training

Child Development and Child Care

Child development and child care are intimately connected. Understanding how children grow and develop is essential for providing high-quality care. Let's explore the stages of child development and their implications for child care:

Infancy (0-12 months):

- Physical development: Lying, sitting, crawling, walking

- Cognitive development: Recognizing faces, objects, and sounds

- Language and literacy: Cooing, babbling, first words

- Social-emotional development: Trust, attachment, smiling

Toddlerhood (1-3 years):

- Physical development: Walking, running, climbing, balance

- Cognitive development: Problem-solving, exploration, memory

- Language and literacy: Vocabulary expansion, simple sentences

- Social-emotional development: Independence, tantrums, empathy

Preschool age (3-5 years):

- Physical development: Gross and fine motor skills, coordination

- Cognitive development: Curiosity, questioning, learning concepts

- Language and literacy: Complex sentences, storytelling

- Social-emotional development: Cooperation, friendship, self-awareness

School age (5-12 years):

- Physical development: Refining motor skills, sports, and games

- Cognitive development: Formal education, critical thinking

- Language and literacy: Reading, writing, communication

- Social-emotional development: Social skills, responsibility, self-esteem

Child care providers should tailor their care and activities to the unique needs and stages of development. This includes:

- Creating a nurturing environment

- Encouraging exploration and learning

- Supporting language and literacy development

- Fostering social-emotional growth

- Promoting physical development through play and activity

By understanding child development and adapting child care accordingly, providers can play a vital role in supporting young children's growth and laying the foundation for future success.

Safety and Health in Child Care

Ensuring the safety and health of children in child care settings is paramount. Providers must be vigilant and proactive in preventing accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Let's explore key aspects of safety and health in child care:

1. Physical Environment:

- Safe furniture and equipment

- Secure storage of hazardous materials

- Regular cleaning and disinfection

- Access to first aid kits

1. Supervision and Monitoring:

- Adequate staff-to-child ratios

- Continuous visual and auditory supervision

- Regular head counts and attendance tracking

1. Health and Hygiene:

- Handwashing and sanitizing

- Proper diaper changing and disposal

- Management of medications and allergies

- Exclusion policies for sick children

1. Emergency Preparedness:

- Fire evacuation plans

- First aid training for staff

- Natural disaster preparedness

- Emergency contact information

1. Nutrition and Food Safety:

- Healthy meal planning and preparation

- Safe food handling and storage

- Allergy awareness and accommodation

1. Mental Health and Well-being:

- Recognizing signs of stress and trauma

- Promoting social-emotional development

- Supporting children with special needs

1. Staff Training and Qualifications:

- First aid and CPR certification

- Child development and education courses

- Background checks and clearance

By prioritizing safety and health, child care providers can create a secure and nurturing environment for children to thrive.

Child Care Policies and Regulations

Child care policies and regulations are essential for ensuring the quality and safety of child care services. These policies and regulations vary by country, state, or region, but generally cover:

1. Licensing and Accreditation:

- Requirements for child care centers and home-based care

- Standards for staffing, facilities, and programs

- Accreditation processes and quality improvement

1. Staff Qualifications and Training:

- Education and experience requirements for staff

- Training in child development, first aid, and safety

- Staff-to-child ratios and supervision

1. Health and Safety:

- Immunization and health checks for children and staff

- Management of medications and allergies

- Emergency procedures and first aid

1. Program and Curriculum:

- Age-appropriate activities and learning goals

- Curriculum standards and assessment

- Diversity and inclusion policies

1. Parental Involvement and Communication:

- Parent-teacher conferences and progress reports

- Daily reports and communication logs

- Parenting resources and support

1. Enrollment and Admission:

- Age and eligibility requirements

- Enrollment procedures and waitlists

- Admission policies and priorities

1. Fees and Payments:

- Tuition rates and payment schedules

- Late payment fees and policies

- Financial assistance and subsidies

1. Compliance and Monitoring:

- Regular inspections and monitoring

- Compliance with regulations and standards

- Enforcement and penalties for non-compliance

By understanding and following child care policies and regulations, providers can ensure a high-quality and safe environment for children to grow and develop.

Conclusion

In conclusion, child care is a vital component of modern society, providing young children with a safe, nurturing environment while their parents or guardians are at work or pursuing other responsibilities. Quality child care is essential for children's cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development. This comprehensive guide has covered various aspects of child care, including types of care, benefits, settings, providers, child development, safety and health, policies and regulations, and conclusion.

By understanding the intricacies of child care, we can appreciate the significant impact it has on children's lives and society as a whole. It is crucial for parents, caregivers, and policymakers to work together to ensure access to high-quality child care for all families.

As we move forward, it is essential to continue researching and improving child care practices, addressing the needs of diverse families, and advocating for policies that support the well-being of children and their caregivers.

By doing so, we can create a brighter future for generations to come, where every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

This concludes our comprehensive guide to child care. I hope you found it informative and helpful. If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, please don't hesitate to ask.

[becauseiamnotanelephant]

Action packed day

We started the morning with having a new friend over - we've seen this girl, Laura, in our music class two semesters ago, and then ran into several times over the last few months. Finally the mom texted me, so we were able to have a playdate. The mom is super nice - from Brazil, came to the US as an au pair, then taught at a prestigious pre-school (the family she was the au pair for is the director of the school), and now has two kids; one is about a year older than Hannah but they have a lot of fun together. The mom still works to coordinate with setting families up with au pairs, so it was interesting to hear how that worked; Graham has been interested in that as an idea and our old neighbors had au pairs for many years and loved the experience.

After a fun playdate I took Hannah to a library on the edge of our range for activities to see a magic show. Even though the one we saw near our house last month was pretty mediocre, she loved it, and I wanted to give her another experience. The magician today was fantastic and had a huge room of kids laughing hysterically. Definitely a possible birthday party idea.

Then we went to get some goggles and water shoes (the pool is literally ripping up Hannah's feet - she has cuts all over). The lack of pink shoes was a near disaster, salvaged by the new goggles.

Lastly we ran into a mom from the playgroup this winter and it was nice to catch up despite Hannah's new found distaste for me talking to other moms and not giving her enough attention. I was wondering when this would start.

[dealthorpakp]

22 Novembre 1982 La princesse Diana rend visite au Lewis Lane Playgroup à Cirencester, Gloucestershire

[tunemyart]

okay okay okay I'm getting back on my very specific agenda for this AU bc even assuming Alex/Joan previous romantic history, there's Olivia! Olivia who Joan is legitimately friends with! Olivia who understands so much of who Joan is and where and why, Olivia who bonds with Joan over single adoptive motherhood, Olivia whose son is in playgroups with Joan's, Olivia who.... Joan may see more than Alex after Alex quits prosecution.

And Joan is right back to where she started - in the middle of these two women and all the things they can't or won't do or say or be to each other.

rewatching elementary and

joan watson quitting being a surgeon after a patient's death 🤝 alex cabot quitting being an ada after a victim is killed

and they both find their true calling 😘👌

SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP

bestie your mind *chef's kiss*

[eldritch-muppetshow]

clifford and bean in that muppet babies scenario. neither of them are at the playgroup full time, but they stay there every now and then (clifford moreso than bean)

clifford’s the oldest kid at the playgroup (he’s like. 8 when everyone else is around 6-7), and he’s generally the most collected/level-headed of the group. his younger friends tend to treat him as their cool older brother, which he usually doesn’t mind… except it tends to backfire when things happen that prove he’s not as infallible as they think. he’s best friends with kermit and digit.

bean is the youngest out of the kids (vicki being the second youngest), and while he’s well-intentioned, he has a tendency to use his cuteness to get out of trouble (which isn’t helped by their caretaker’s insistence that they include him/be careful with him whenever he comes over). vicki finds him particularly annoying because she’s also small, and yet no one’s given her extra attention for being “cute”.

[ooops-i-arted]

What’s the story with the creep that moved to and then away from Sorgan?

More of a concept/it-could-happen in my head, but...

Like any parent or caregiver of children, Din of course keeps an eye out for anyone who just gives him Bad Vibes.  His kids are wanted by the Imperials, and unfortunately everywhere in the galaxy there are always people willing to be cruel to even children.  So if one of the other parents in the mommy-and-me playgroup he takes the kids to mentions she doesn’t like how this new guy in the area has been hanging around the park lately, he’s gonna look into it.

Maybe it’s just someone who happens to look off or is awkward but isn’t a threat.  But maybe it is someone acting nefariously.  The other moms have all sorts of gossip connections and he’s got years of bounty hunting experience.  Between the two of them, if this person has a record and is a potential threat, they’ll find it out.

If it’s nothing?  Din might act a little extra intimidating just to be sure the person knows he’s being watched, but nothing more.  If Din does dig up some dirt and the person is a serious threat, or demagolka?  Well, he knows lots of ways to quietly dispose of a body.

[earnestly-endlessly]

hey!! Your fic recommendations are always elite–I was wondering if you had any kid fics, thank you <3

Hi anon. I have plenty of kid fics for you. Since you didn't quite specify what kind of kid fic you wanted I decided to divide it into fics where Charles and Erik are kids or get deaged and fics that involve kids. This is kind of a long list so I hope that there are plenty of new fics for you to read.

Cherik Kid Fic

--They are kids or get deaged--

Conspiracy of Kisses - Alaceron

Summary: Seven-year-old Erik needs to keep his telepathic best friend Charles from finding out that he wants to kiss him. But that's okay, because he has a plan - he'll put on a tinfoil hat.

Chasing After You - Alaceron

Summary: Charles isn't very good at tag. Erik helps

We’ll be the sum - afrocurl, ninemoons42

Summary: In between bouts of blanket burrito-ing and vegging out on movies, Charles and Erik figure out how they currently feel about each other.

Of course, they're schoolboys and they're on a sleepover and also Edie dotes on them both excessively, so things work out just fine.

Growing pains - ikeracity

Summary: Twelve-year-old Erik Lehnsherr is an angry, closed-off foster kid with trust issues and a bad temper. Ten-year-old Charles Xavier is a lonely kid in boarding school who just wants a friend.

Logan pretends he doesn't think they're both fucking adorable.

Valentine’s day – ikeracity

Summary: Kid fic! Erik waits impatiently all day at school to give Charles a card for Valentine's Day. Maybe Charles has something for him too...?

Now You Know You Know it Now – luninosity

Summary: Erik’s not sure why he keeps glancing at the other boy. Not as if Erik likes other kids, or other people in general, for that matter. But still—he finds himself looking. Again.

This Family Comes with Batteries - Fishwrites, lynneh

Summary: An orphaned Charles Xavier goes to live with his Godfather: Tony Stark. This story is a tale of what would have happened to the events of MCU, if Tony was raising a six year old telepath in Stark Tower. There is also the matter of Charles' robot AI manny/bodyguard/tutor/only-friend, David.

You’re Not Doing This Alone – flightinflame, Lynds

Summary: What's meant to be a simple recruitment mission leads to both Erik and Charles being de-aged back to thirteen years old. Terrified and out of their depth, the boys try to hide their situation and help each other until they can work out what is going on.

Charles Xavier, A Retelling – Extra_fried_noodles

Summary: An attempt to reverse his paralysis goes wrong, and Charles is de-aged into a 2 year old toddler. While Hank scrambles to fix the situation, the whole gang is here to help. Through a mix of selective memory, they watch Charles relive his childhood, revealing some deeply hidden and painful truths.

Protective Instinct – Groovyhornbill

Summary: Charles and Erik were testing Cerebro’s new prototype when things went very wrong.

Divergence – Lynds

Summary: Universes and timelines collide, dropping two younger versions of Charles Xavier into the midst of the hunt for Sebastian Shaw. Now the newly formed X-men have to deal with a strangely quiet and self-reliant six year old, and a sixteen year old covered in bruises.

Erik, in particular, has to accept that the man he loves hasn't had the kind, happy upbringing he wished for him. But these children are here now, and Erik's not going to let anyone hurt them this time.

--Where they have kids--

Sink or Swim – endingthemes

Summary: Erik is a struggling single dad of three kids with a burning hatred for Sebastian Shaw, the man who wronged him years ago. He’s tried to move on with his life, but a run-in with Shaw’s rude, spoiled omega, Charles, drags up old anger. When Charles ends up in the hospital after an accident, Erik goes to confront him only to find that Charles has amnesia. In the confusion, Charles mistakenly assumes that Erik is his mate.

Erik knows he should clear up the misunderstanding, but how can he pass up this perfect chance for a little revenge?

(An Overboard AU)

Rumor Has It - blueink3

Summary: "Did I hear the doorbell earlier?"

"Yeah, but I'd steer clear if I were you. It seemed a little tense. I don't know what's going on, but there's a kid out there who looks freakily like the prof."

Nearly six months after Cuba, Charles' life is turned upside down for the second time. Though he's slowly learning to adapt to the first, he's not sure he can handle the second. Luckily for him, there are a few people out there more than willing to help.

Words and Pictures – pocky_slash

Summary: When Lorna's powers manifest early, Charles Xavier's mutant picture books are the perfect teaching tool. Erik just hadn't expected the author to be so young. Or attractive. Or available.

Write this number down (you can call it anytime) – pocky_slash

Summary: When Erik upsets his children, they have a habit of running away from home--and straight to Charles' school for cookies and consolation. Charles doesn't mind the visitors, but as they appear more and more frequently, he realizes that sooner or later, he and Erik are going to have to talk about what happened on the beach and what it means for their future and the future of Erik's children.

Dress Your Family in Plaid and Skinny Jeans – cygnaut

Summary: Erik and Charles meet at the mutant playgroup/parenting support circle and they instantly hit it off. And so do their kids, Lorna and David.

Not What I was Expecting (So Much Better) – lazulisong

Summary: Erik, the single father, hires Charles, the grad student with the slightly shady past, to be his manny.

Heli Cases – Black_Betty

Summary: "Heli Cases" is a program on PBS whose aim is to educate on the rapidly increasing occurrence of genetic mutation in the general populous by breaking the complex science down into palatable, easy to digest pieces.

It is also the only thing that helps Erik get his fussy daughter to fall asleep.

(Featuring Dadneto, baby Lorna and the struggles of single fatherhood, and Charles as the host of a late night show about genetics.)

Doing Something for Yourself – Pookaseraph

Summary: Erik is a hard working engineer and single dad, Charles runs a local Community Center where Wanda and Pietro spend their time after school. Erik accidentally makes Charles' acquaintance one Wednesday evening when he's running late from work. Erik has no idea if he stands a chance with his new acquaintance, but that isn't going to keep him from falling for the guy.

A Good Dad – listerinezero

Summary: Ten years later, Magneto has left the Brotherhood and Raven asks Charles to help her find him. Charles discovers that Erik is the single father of five year old twins Wanda and Pietro, and he is doing everything he can to keep them safe from his former enemies.

Take a Chance (On Me) – Ook

Summary: In which Charles, terrorised by his abusive ex, takes his young son to a small town in America, where they both settle down and make friends with their neighbours. Particularly the town mechanic, Erik, and his foster son, Alex. Requester stated they wanted to "drown in H/C. "

Can’t Buy Me Love – niniblack

Summary: Erik's a single dad struggling to make it work and nab the promotion he's been waiting for. The last thing he needs is to get involved with politician and notorious playboy Charles Xavier.

(The Maid in Manhattan pastiche that no one asked for.)

Ohana – royal_chandler

Summary: Erik's children are absolute hellions. If by hellions, one means children who are incredibly protective of their new family unit and won't let a few household mishaps get in the way of keeping it together.

One Second and a Million Miles – magneto

Summary: Between being a parent to the best baby in the history of man-kind and co-running a Mutant Center in Hell's Kitchen, Erik Lehnsherr has his hands pretty full. Too full, certainly for romance; something that has never really been on his radar to begin with.

All that changes, however, when he meets Dr. Charles Xavier. Handsome, intelligent, capable, kind, an Omega level telepath, and one of the best pediatricians in the state, he's everything Erik didn't know he was looking for. But he's also Lorna's pediatrician which means, of course, he's off-limits. Except how is Erik supposed to try and forget his crush when he and Charles keep running into each other as if fate is trying to tell them something? When, as Charles says, they seem to want the same thing?

Her Only Mutations Were Her Blue Eyes and Her Auburn Hair – Pookaseraph

Summary: While sneaking back out of Russia, Erik and Charles stumble across Anya, Erik's presumed dead daughter, and it changes quite a few little things along the way. Fluffy, self-indulgent, fix-it.

Despicably Yours – Cesare, veryorangecat

Summary: Erik Lehnsherr, AKA Magneto, is a supervillain without equal... except maybe one: Charles Xavier, AKA Professor X, AKA Erik's next door neighbor. When their competition heats up, Erik decides the only way to get ahead is to adopt four mutant orphans to infiltrate Charles's mansion.

Things don't go as planned.

The Wrong Impression – Rosawyn

Summary: Charles is trying to balance the responsibilities of his career with his responsibilities as a single father to a tiny baby. It's not something he ever thought he'd have to do, and it's not as easy as those women on the internet make it look! He does't have much of a social life (unless talking to his sister on the phone and attending a parents' class where he's the only guy count), and he doesn't even have time to think of dating. He's just trying to keep his job - and keep his son fed and healthy.

Marrying a Mob – Ook

Summary: Charles is a teacher at a very exclusive school. When armed men burst in on the trail of two children, of course he stands up to them and gets hurt. The children are Erik Lehnsherr's children (of course); a "prominent businessman" or, less politely, "mobster".

Erik is grateful to Charles for saving his children's lives at the cost of his kneecap. So very grateful.

Naturally he tries to reward Charles for his actions. Equally naturally, Charles will be having none of that.

Azazel finds the whole thing unspeakably hilarious. Naturally.

[maxbegone]

happy wip wednesday! here’s a snippet of the tarlos au I'm working on! and here’s the snippet from sunday if you want to take a look there, too.

“You miss him?”

“How can I not, Mom? I mean, he was the first person I really felt secure with. I thought I had that with Alex, but I was obviously wrong. In the end…” He trails off, refusing to look at her on the screen. “We all know how that ended up.”

“All of us?” She prompts. “Or just you, Carlos, and me?”

“No. Everyone knows now. They probably secretly think I was a bitch,” he explains, wincing a little when he remembers that his baby brother is also there. “Sorry.”

“Have you spoken to Carlos at all?”

“Yeah, I actually hung out with him on Tuesday with everyone else.” He doesn’t mention his near-fainting spell (and hasn’t to anyone else for that matter). “Strangely, us not getting back together hasn’t completely ruined our friendship.”

She beams. “So you’re friends?”

TK nods. “We’re friends.”

“Good. Good, honey, I’m glad.”

“Me, too.”

“And I want to be friends,” he continues instantly. “It’s Carlos, he’s great.”

“I know he is, he’s wonderful.”

“Being friends with your ex isn’t weird.”

“It’s not. But, TK? Why are you trying to justify it?”

He takes a breath and…he really doesn’t know. But something is compelling him to.

And, like the woman she is who could always read him like a book, his mother says, “Could it be that you’re trying to make up for something?”

He stares at her.

“Like…the fact that you don’t think you have Carlos the greatest explanation.”

“Mom.” He sighs. “We talked. We’re okay.”

The look she gives in return makes him shift uncomfortably in his seat. TK focuses back on Jonah’s messy face as he stares unblinking back up at their mother. He wants to make an excuse and jump off the call before he gives, but his subconscious wins out.

“Okay. Maybe, maybe, I’m trying to prove that I’m a good friend.”

She smiles knowingly. “There it is. And how are you doing that?”

“Am I in another coma?” TK jokes, making a point to pinch his arm. It’s not ethereally sunny, nor is he in pajamas.

“You’re very much not,” she laughs. “You’re not having a conversation with a dream version of me. You’re having a conversation with your mother.”

“With Jonah eavesdropping,” he says with a grin. “He’s going to run off and tell his playgroup friends.”

His mother laughs openly, lifting Jonah up a little higher. “He’s definitely the little gossip — yeah!” At this point, Jonah’s palming her face and looking off in another direction.

“TK,” she continues, leaning a little closer. “You can’t force relationships of any kind. It isn’t healthy. If it’s meant to be, regardless of what it is, then it’s meant to be.”

“I think—“ He pauses, running his teeth over his bottom lip. “I encouraged him go out with someone.”

TK can’t tell if his mom is surprised or dismayed, but she closes her eyes for a moment before asking, “Are you okay with that?”

“I’m the one who did it, so…”

“Honey. You’re…compensating.”

“I’m not—“

“You still love him, and you’re trying to encourage him to move on while trying to convince yourself to move on.”

“I…” He drops his head into his hands, raking his fingers through his hair. “You’re right.”

[angelsdean]

wait. single dads falling in love AU where dean and cas are both hashtag struggling thru single fatherhood, dean’s got emma and cas has claire, they’re both toddlers and it’s been sooo long since they’ve even considered dating anyone anyways they meet at a playground in the park bc both their loved ones have been insisting they need to get out more and make friends w/ other parents. they click instantly and their daughters love playing together so it becomes a regular thing, meeting at the park for playdates. then they start meeting up for other activities like ice cream and going to the zoo and movies at each other’s places (for the kids obvs). and everyone who sees them out and about w their little blonde babies think the girls are twins and they don’t bother to correct them and then eventually they realize they’ve totally been going on dates together under the guise of “playdates” and idk big moment where they’re each talking to their besties or brothers freaking out like oh my god i’m in love with him !!! and then confessions kisses etc etc also kelly kline is at the playgroup w/ jack and they become friends w/ her too but they don’t go on a million extra playdate w/ her which both their friends and family point out when each of them are in the “no way we’re just friends it’s just a playdate thing for the kids” phase of denial