DayCare Deal Breakers?

I agree that the caregivers are doing something illegal and dangerous (yes they probably are "old school"--I use to stand up in between my parents on the front seat of the old station wagon!--Ah, the 70s!) If they are lax about this law and child care licensing regulations, they are most likely lax in other areas as well. I wouldn't take my chances. It sounds to me like they don't want to invest in the appropriate items (big van, car seats, big stroller, gates, indoor play yards, etc.) for running a child care of that scope. Even an assistant could help because they could drive to the park in shifts. It might be a cost thing (which is strange because child care providers make big bucks).

Hi L.~
In my opinion, you are right about the car trip. Under no circumstances should they be taking the kids w/o carseats. The other stuff...hmmm, seems like a difference in parenting to me. A lot of moms will disagree with me, Im sure, but we have gotten WAY to picky about other peoples choices. I know, I know, this is YOUR kid, not thiers...but you'll have to have a rational discussion with yourself about whether the things that bother you are legitimate concerns. Are you choosing your battles appropriately, or are you feeling guilty about leaving her and picking apart the daycare b/c of it? Im not trying to ridicule you, I work, too. If, for the sake of cleanliness, they like to have bigger kids in high chairs, does that hurt them? Probably not. From what you say, it sounds like you have a good thing going, but maybe some of their choices are not the same as yours. I usually say go with your gut...if you feel like something is majorly wrong, it probably is, but maybe a talk with the daycare would alleviate some of your concerns. You are being a good mom, though...diligent about who watches your kids. This is a tough job!!
~L.

Hi L.. You should definitely look into a different daycare, preferably licensed. The State monitors so many things and do visits to the daycare as well. You can go to the State of Michigan website and look up licensed daycares in your area, including at home daycare facilities. I think the car seat thing would be a deal breaker. I don't think you are being over protective, she is not safe in a vehicle without being in a car seat. And poor thing is probably really bummed when the other kids get to go to the park and she does not. It doesn't hurt to look into it, who knows, you may find a place you like better.

Also, have you suggested to the ladies that you could provide them with a carseat for your daughter. If they agree, problem solved. Good Luck!

L., I highly advise you to call Licensing with your concerns about the transportation issues and the no gates for the stairs. There is no way that this is acceptable.

Hi L.,
I think I agree with everyone else. There is no way I would let my child go there. Are they licensed? If they are they probably shouldn't be. I run a small daycare out of my home and I will admit that on occasion I have left one of my boys and another little girl in their high chairs so I could clean up after a meal without little fingers in the dishwasher. So maybe I could overlook that at the daycare but the stairs issue I don't think I could. Stairs can be very dangerous and I have mine gated always. As everyone else said, it is illegal for kids not to be in car seats and I can't believe other moms know thins and continue to let it happen. Just my opinion. Good luck.
Chris

Absolutely a "deal breaker," in my opinion. If they are a licensed daycare, they cannot transport children without your written permission, and, say it with me, CHILD SEATS! If you don't want to leave, but want to draw their attention to it, submit an anynomous complaint to the licensing board and they will do a random drop-in. The providers are supposed to get them on occaision anyhow, so they'd never know the difference.

I will say one thing... You are her mom, go with your instinct. The first home daycare we put our son in was recommended by a friend. Her play area was downstairs, but she had the kids naps in pack-n-plays upstairs in bedrooms. Our son was only 6 weeks old and I was uncomfortable with the arrangement and asked if we could bring our own pack-n-play for her to keep downstairs near her. She agreed and that is where she was to keep him. For various reasons, we left the daycare. We found out a few months later, via some other friends and then the news, the baby that took our son's place died in her care because she put the baby on the bed downstairs to sleep. The baby fell between the wall and the bed and suffocated. She had been there they estimate for over 40 minutes, and no one had checked on her. I thank the Lord every day that I followed my instinct or she'd have put our baby on that bed. Seems it was too inconvenient for her walk upstairs to put the baby in a pack-n-play. Just as it seems too inconvenient for your providers to use child seats.

We ended up trying another home daycare, then resorted to a center which I swore I would NEVER do. I will tell you, I wish I would have started out with a center. We LOVE it and so do our boys. I will not go back to home daycare. The centers have even stricter rules to follow, have their own play areas, and our does not transport children. They have "field trips" come to them. They've had the fire department, police, race cars, clowns, etc, all come to them.

PLEASE, trust you instincts, not other peoples opinions and judgements. And most of all, please don't let them transport her without a car seat. I try to avoid anyone transporting our kids. (Oh, and I am with you on the stair gates also...)

Good luck to you, but don't feel "over protective."

The no car seats alone would be a deal breaker for me. I have a wonderful daycare lady at 27 and North ave. Don't know how close that is to you but I'd be happy to give you her number.

Under no circumstances should they be transporting without a carseat! Children are priceless! Is price really an issue? You get what you pay for!
B.

Hello L.,
I agree with the others.....not using proper safety seats is against the law and life threatening. My daughter will be 8 in September and she still rides in her booster because it's the safest means for her to travel. As far as car seats go..there isn't anything to think about, the day care must use them or they don't put your child in a vehicle.

I don't like the idea of not having gates either. It only takes a second for a child to roll down a flight of stairs.

Since overall, you like the day care and providers, I'd suggest you talk to them and insist they make whatever changes you feel are needed. If they aren't willing....then you'll have to seek a new "home away from home" for your little one.

Best of luck.
M. M.

Hi L.,

I just recently opened a Family Daycare in my home and I cant believe the things you've written about. No safety gates on stairs? And no car seats?? That's not even legal! If you're concerned (which you have every right to be) you should call the Licensing Department and report what you've seen. Did you know that in Michigan it is illegal to watch children for more than 3 weeks in your home without a license? It sounds like your providers need to go through the licensing process to learn how to provide a safe environment for children.
Children are priceless, I would hate to hear that one of them was hurt by falling down the stairs or getting hurt in the car because there was no child seat.
Good luck with this one~ :)

from a mom whose hubby is a COP....hands down they are breaking the law. They need to be reported the law in MI (sucks basically but) states all children until they reach the age of 4 and 40 lbs MUST be restrained in an approved safety seat. It is recommended (yet not a law yet) that they be in booster seats till age 8. I would report them, find a new caregiver, or leave my car seat for them to use. It is also reported that MOST accidents occur with in 1 mile, yes thats one mile of the home. (in this case the day care) My sons go to a day care/preschool that the park is across the street (to dangerous to cross on foot) and they mandate a parent leaves a car seat...they even have invested in a few for the people who forget.
The rest of the stuff you talked about is a personal preference....but i have been known to call the cops when i see a child not restrained properly on the road...all it takes is a spit second and that child's life is gone in an instant....I would totally DIE if my kid was a victim of my stupidity for allowing my child not to be restrained by ANYONE!

Deal Breaker, No questions asked. Not only is it a state law in Michigan that they be in carseats, and/or booster seats. It is in the Child Care Rules and Regulations hand book as well. They also have to have a signed permission spil from parents to transport kids, and it has to say that they will not be allowed in the front seat, and will be placed in the proper carseat at all time while in the vechile. I would let them know that you want your child, as well as the others in the proper carseat or booster seat, or I would take my child out and call the licensing office. You are not only doing this for the safety of your child, but all the other children that they are putting in danger as well.

Hi L. -

The no car seat thing would be a deal breaker for me. Not only are they potentially endangering the lives of the children they are taking - it is ILLEGAL!!!!!!!!!! The steps and highchair I could overlook, but not the car seats.

You could always make an 'anonymous' call to the childcare licensing department and have them look in on them if you don't want to leave, but want them to use car seats.

Good Luck!

J.

WOW! I am in shock that these women are still in business????
They must not be licensed because I run a licensed daycare from my home and the state is very strict about gates, carseats, providing outdoor time for all ages, play structures, proper eating areas etc.

If these totally visible negligent things are going on...I can just imagine what else is going on there!!

yes that a deal breaker i don't let my children go anywhere with out a car seat as far as the gate thing goes i never used on for any of my kids i just taught them not to play buy or on the steps i would say go with your gut you can never be to careful when it comes to your child