Question About My Current Daycare

Well, if she came down to let you in she would have to leave the other kids unattended. I'm not sure there is a really great soluion to her situation. Sorry.

I vote for requesting a spare key to let yourself in each morning as well as each evening at pick up. (I assume you also have to go thru the key toss in the evening as well? Plus an additional 3 flights of steps?) Each parent should have a key in that case.

I agree most 2 year olds can manage steps with your supervision, so you should not need to physically carry the child up and down the steps. But, I am not sure one daycare provider can safely get a number of little ones up/down three full flights of steps:

1) in an emergency
2) for outings or outdoor play, like a walk to the park.

Ask her if you can set up a time to discuss your concerns. Or make a plan for a phone call after she is done with the childcare for the day. Tell her that you are not happy or that you are concerned about the kids upstairs all day, or whatever is on your mind. She is working for you and I am sure she wants you to be a happy customer! She may not even be thinking about how this inconveniences parents.

Good luck!

Hmm, would she feel comfortable giving you a spare key (with the understanding that you would always ring the doorbell before letting yourself in)? I guess this depends on how many families she interfaces with. As for carrying your child upstairs, you need to suck it up or make him go up himself (he's old enough to do this).

She probably realized that she can't leave the other kids to let you in. Although it may be inconvenient, I'd weigh the pros and cons. I'm not sure how experienced you are with daycare, but my husband and I have been through A LOT of different daycare options and finding good daycare is not easy. So, if you like the daycare provider and feel that the new apartment is safe and comfortable (except for the stairs) I'd give it a few more weeks.

I am a licensed daycare provider, and i agree with some things that were said and also disagree with some.
D.C.F.S does allow people to live in an apt even if it's on the 3rd floor.( I live in a house) As long as she's up to code and they have inspected it. My question would be did she give the parents notice before hand and let them know she was moving to a 3rd floor apt.
Does anyone other parent have an issue with this arrangement.
My suggestion would be if you truly love the daycare give it some time and see if things work out.
You may just get use to it and later see that it's
not all that bad. Also if after some time you still feel the same way then look into other options.
I do agree with the posting that said she may lose clients as a result of her being on the 3rde floor but they may be like you, and love the daycare and that's really what's important.
You may choose to leave and go else where to someone in a house but you and your child may not be as comfortable as you are with her.
You have to think of the good and the bad and it seems you only have 1 negative and that's the stairs but you have a wonderful provider for your child and that says alot about her.
Good luck, hope things work out well for all involved.

As a family daycare provider I would never give out my key to anyone. First decide how important it is for your child to stay with this daycare provider. How many children does she watch and what are their ages? This does make a difference on how well she can get them down the stairs so they can play outside. I currently some days have 7 children here. The only reason it works is because the youngest is 3 months and the rest are almost 4 or older. All but one would be capable of getting down stairs if needed. I am not sure if there is a good solution for the key problem. As for the 3 flights of stairs have your 2 year old walk up some of stairs so you are not carrying him all the way up. It is great left/right motor development. You can practice counting the stairs, singing ABC's etc.. The provider cannot leave the other children to come down and get your son. The only other answer is to be the first one there in the morning and the last one to pick up in the evening. Then she will not have to leave any of the other children alone.

I have the same question as the other poster. What do you do in the winter? Does she throw the key down to all parents? I'm guessing that after the first kid gets there, she doesn't want to go downstairs because then she would have to leave that child alone or bring them with her.

Most importantly, as a mom to 4 boys, what kind of physical activity is your son getting in an apartment? Is there enough room for him to run around? Is your provider taking him places where he can run and jump? How does that work out going down 3 flights of stairs? If your son doesn't get enough physical activity at daycare, he will be wound up when he gets home. Maybe it's not an issue now, but it will be soon!

I'm glad you love the daycare, but at this point I might be evaluating the big picture. You know what's best for your child, but physical activity is VERY important for boys.

M.

T.,

This situation poses more problems to me than what you mentioned. I can understand how ridiculous it is and you feel about this lady tossing a key down in the yard everyday, what is going to happen in the winter? Are you going to have to trudge through the snow to keep up the same routine?
Does your daycare lady ever take the kids outside? How does she manage getting your 2 year old down 3 flights of stairs? This seems very dangerous to me especially if she is taking a group of children down all at the same time.
There are also other things like fire and tornado situations that make this daycare living arrangement seem unsafe. I am very surprised that DCFS would allow this, and maybe they don't know yet and this won't be allowed and your daycare lady will either have to move or you will have to find a new daycare.
Just some things to think about!

J.

You have 2 choices: deal with it, or find a new sitter. I am not sure what your posting is really about. Do you want her to come get your son from you? that would be a hazard if she had to go down & up 3 flights of stairs for each individual kid she watched. I say find a new sitter for a number of reasons. I dont agree with the other poster that said your 2 yr old is old enough to walk up & down by himself. What is the sitter going to do about getting the kids outside to play? how often will your son get fresh air during nice weather, because she cant manage taking kids up & down by herself. She will probably loose some clients because of her decision on where she is living. I am sure you know the obvious solution. Good luck