[beccer]

we are just waiting for our homestudy now(finally). and I wanted to know if you all with more experience than us had any suggestions on any last minute preperations or purchases we should make.

we are being certified for foster care, ages 2-7, boy or girl. we have never had any children, so i am sure that there are plenty of things we have missed.

I am still looking for a good daycare center as you can see from my previous post.
but should I have some cloths around? should I have some shcool suplies already? shlould I have some medications. and would you suggest having some lice treatment around?
and another thing I know we need to have a car seat, but what kind?

I would like to be as ready as possible.
any suggestions are greatly apreciated!
Beccer

[SashaSue]

Beccer,

My age range is 0-5 so I started gathering clothes a few months before I got my license. I bought clothes off of eBay in different sizes and for boys and girls. Also, you could look at garage sales in your area for good buys on clothing.

I have both an infant seat and a regular car seat, but since your age range begins at 2 you might consider buying a regular car seat (5-pt. harness)...I got one at Wal-Mart for less than $40. Or check at garage sales for those kinds of things too, you can usually get some good deals on used baby/children things.

As far as meds go, just get the standard Tylenol drops, Cough syrup, Stuffy Nose spray, etc. Make sure you have locked boxes for the meds (refrigerated and non-refrigerated).

You never really know what you will need until the child is placed in your home. But so far I have gotten a few things with each child, from CPS, when they came to my house, like a few items of clothing, diapers, toys, etc.

Good luck and let us know when you get your first placement!

Sasha

[jolean12]

I would DEFINATELY, DEFINATELY, DEFINATELY, have lice treatment for their hair and the spray for furniture on hand. I have had many children show up with lice.
I agree with the med choices....Tylenol, cough syrup, Ibuprofin. The clothes thing is harder as with that age range there sizes could greatly vary but having a few things that you find at a great deal (or hand me downs from friends) may be a big help for that first night.

[stepforone]

Since you are taking both boys and girls I would at least have some jeans and a t-shirt for each size and some undies and socks. I have to assume they will come with shoes that will at least get you to Wal-mart the next day to go shopping. I would go to garage sells or used clothing stores. Unless you have someone that can come over and watch the child either day or night so you can run to the store I would also get the car seat that goes to 40 lbs. If you have someone that you can call at the last minute I would do that and then run out and gather up supplies that would work with that child. I would also buy the lice and meds that were suggested - you'll use it sometime. (Except I've had the lice meds for 3 years and haven't had the 'pleasure' of having to use it - but then I take babies!). Have some stuffed animals, books, crayons, videos around so they will have something to do right away that is familiar to them. I would stock up with a few cans of kids friendly food like Spagettios or ravioli in case they arrive hungry. I would talk to the school and let them know that you may have a child you need to enroll at some point. Find out what they would suggest you would need the first day. Other than that I wouldn't worry about school supplies until you have a placement. Don't overstock on stuff because you may never use it. Just stick to the items that they might need for the first 12 hours and figure you can run to the store for anything else. Don't forget the toothbrush and toothpaste (kid friendly for the younger ones) and the baby shampoo in case they arrive dirty. Good luck.

[beccer]

Thank you all for your replys. they are all very helpful.
Some things we already have are, tooth brushes, toothpaste, books, stuffed toys, and toys that make you think, we have kids vidios, kid dishes, and silverware, we of course have all thier bedding and towels. but the extra washcloth suggestion is a good one.

about the school, I still have to figure out what elementary school they will be attending, since we have a huge school district (I hope it isn't the one in the bad part of town ).
as far as food goes, I always have chicken around so I can make chicken strips, and I have stuff to make spaghetti or mac and cheese. but that is all the kid food I have, since we eat a lot of salads.
I still have to get the car seat. We will probably buy a new dining room set...because about 6 months before we decided to become foster parents we bought a tall bar table with a glass top, not even my short grown-up friends can sit at it, let alone a 2 year old.

thank you all so much.
Beccer

[hubbyswife]

Ditto, what the other said! We didn't have any clothes or anything like that, we did have some toys, such as blocks, books, legos, puzzles, board games, card games, crayons, coloring books, construction paper.... We have gotten 3 placements and ALL 3 placements had NO clothes, just what they had on. I think the best thing is to ask family and friends that have kids to see if they can donate clothes.... we got lucky w the 4 yr old boy, my dh's co-worker's grandson just grew out of clothes so she gave us a big trash bag full and a girl at my mom's work also donated some clothes for the 15 mth girl.... but of course we have bought clothes for them too! Our age range was initially 10 and under but we have since changed it to 6 and under... so it was hard at first to have so many things for such a large age range but now that we have some experience we know what we may need.....Good luck....

[mckenna]

find a pediatrician. it is very hard to find one that takes state medicaid, start looking now!

i would not suggest getting a car seat from a garage sale, as you don't know how old it is and whether or not it was ever in a car accident, but all other baby items are perfect buys at a garage sale.

sippy cups are always helpful


under wear in a couple different sizes and larger size diapers (in larger sizes for 2 y/o and possible 3 or 4 year olds at night) and wipes (good for any age, clean hands and faces on the go)


sounds like you have a great start! good luck

[NaeNae26]

I am learning so much. My hubby and I have no children of our own are are getting licensed for 0-5. You have all been so helpful on what we will need to be prepared for.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kate1129]

I have always had on hand Shampoo and soap for the little ones. They are always dirty and they ALL have had a diaper rash! Must have the ointment and powder on hand!!!!

A comfort item to give them also works. I have small (3ft by 3ft) fleece blanket. Nothing complicated, just some material that is soft and something the child can keep.