Could you maybe place a bookshelf or one of those room divider screens in front of the washer/dryer during daycare hours.
Sometimes "out of sight/out of mind" really is true.
Plus, you aren't doing laundry during daycare time I assume so the kids would not necessarily be drawn to it if they can't see it.
If that was not possible, I'd also consider throwing a table cloth of large blanket over it when not in use....still out of sight/out of mind.
