Over the break we are re-sheet-rocking some of the walls in the daycare, repainting the entire thing, and putting in laminate wood flooring where there used to be carpet and linoleum. The dc room was half carpet and half linoleum before, now it will be all laminate with the exception of a big floor rug I put down for the babies.

One dcm of a 14mo complained that her baby will slip on the laminate. SHE has laminate in the main parts of her house! I just explained to her that the carpet is extremely hard to keep clean. I'm not sure what else to do. I really can't believe she is complaining about improvements.

Also I got new cubbies and it looks great! I got those cloth drawers in a rainbow of colors so it looks really cute. BUT I have four kids that come in with giant diaper bags and those bags are not going to fit in the new cubbies. Would you just grab a few diapers out and send the bags back out the door? I NEVER get anything out of the bags except diapers. Three of the diaper bag toting kids are 2 1/2 and the bags are chocked full of food, toys, lotions and potions, sippy cups, water bottles, and the kitchen sink! I am so over HUGE diaper bags!

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As far as fitting in the cubbies ... I would just let the parents know that you are finding you don't ever use the items in the diaper bag and to have them just bring a pack of diapers that will fit into the cubbies.

That's silly that she's complaining about the laminate. Have her bring slippers or grippy socks.

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I don't allow diaper bags--it's in my handbook. I simply don't have the space in my small house, and besides, I don't want to have to root around in bags to find what I need. I expect them to keep what's needed here in their cubby, and nothing extraneous (no need for cups, toys, etc--I've got it.)

Good for you for making improvements. You know what will work best for you and the kids. Don't fret about worriers. I have mostly slippery wood floors, plus a step up into the kitchen and another down into the studio. The kids all handle it fine, because they're taught how to do it safely and trusted to be competent enough to handle it. It's silly to try to bubble-wrap the world for children.

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I don't allow diaper bags because there's no room. But a reason for not allowing them was a local daycare provider had kids go to their moms diaper bag and grab some cough medicine. The 3 year old opened the medicine and managed a mouthful before the provider was able to run and knock the medicine off his hand. Kid and provider were fine (thank God)but it made me start enforcing the no bags rule!

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My 14 month olds would never keep their socks on. Feet have good traction. Problem solved They could also wear Robeez type shoes or socks with grips on the bottom.

I would see if you can get them in the habit of just leaving diapers & wipes.

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I don't allow diaper bags at all here either. Their assigned spots have a pack of diapers, and a few changes of clothes. End of problem.

As far as the pain in the bootie mom, tell her get over it.

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Reasons why laminate/wood flooring is better in group care:

1. Easier to clean = meaning cleaner environment, less allergies/illness etc.
2. Quality child care programs recommend it = Montessouri, RIE, etc.
3. Maintenance is less = you spend less in upkeep which means you save money and don't have to raise her rates
4. Consumer reports recommends it
5. Memorize this phrase and say it to her "laminate flooring emits relatively low levels of volatile organic compounds" (VOC's) then follow it up with something about providing better air quality
6. Carpet traps dirt which can contain lead

"All in all Susan, I'm doing it for the benefit of the children"

Personally I would just have everyone buy and bring a pack of socks with the grips or I'd even be inclined to buy and provide them myself (for the colder months).

As for the cubbies and diaper bad issue, I just have the parents supply all of the necessary things (I make the list) like two changes of clothing, 1 pack of diapers, 1 pack of wipes and maybe some diaper rash ointment and sunblock and then keep those items in the cubbies and have the bags stay home. Sell it by pointing out that it's less for them to think about and carry during their morning rush to daycare and work and in the evening from daycare to home.

"All in all Susan, I'm doing it for your benefit"

Then when supplies get low just remind them to bring more. If a DCK needs to be have his/her clothes changed here I change them into a spare outfit and wash the dirty set myself then replace the one they wore home with the newly washed one, that way there's no chance of forgetting to bring another set the next day. And you really don't need half of the crap that us moms carry in a diaper bag. Plus you don't need the liability of the kiddos getting into it and getting into something they aren't supposed to like SAHM's example.

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I also don't do diaper bags. I never had to let my parents know, they decided that on themselves. I do have plastic shelving for my changing station to where my infants/toddlers have space for diapers, wipes and extra clothes.

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Ummm I have kids ages 2-5 and I NEVER allow diaper bags. Ever. Little backpacks or nothing and my smaller children don't ever bring backpacks. I find diaper bags at that age a little odd. Can't they just provide you with a pack of diapers up front and you let them know when you're running low?

I'd just say, "I understand your concern." and walk away. I don't know what to say other than that.

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I would send home a quick, short notice about what you are doing over break, and that due to the changes, you want all backpacks and diaper bags to stay home and just a weekly supply of diapers and change of clothes in each child's cubby. I would also tack on a suggestion about robeez or gripper socks.

I had a family have issue with my wood flooring as well. Their concern was slipping and the harder surface when falling. They send their kid in gripper socks and have for over a year (kid is 3 now, he can walk JUST FINE).

I recently banned all diaper bags/backpacks. Previously we had kids bringing the small toddler ones and it was cute to send their things home in. Then ONE parent upgraded to this suitcase sized bag with NO HOOK to hang in our cubby area. It was full of crap and I was constantly having to move it away from children's reach. The last straw was when dcb opening it up and there was random PILLS and a bottle of advil (liquid) near his sippy cup.

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I would just start sending the diper bags back home with them when they get dropped off. I had a mom who use to drop her bag off and it smelled like horse poop (they had horses) it was awful.

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I agree. I've never seen a parent bring a diaper bag that had been washed or cleaned out. Can we say germ fest? Makes me nauseated to think of.

I ask my parents if they bring anything like a pack of diapers or an extra pair of clothes to bring it in a disposable sack or something of the sort.

I have them bring a case of diapers at a time. Or they can pay a fee and I provide all diapers. Currently both of my families pay he fee for me to provide them. It's easy because I just pick them up when I go to the store. And how I calculated my fee was an average of how many diapers I used in a week. For instance. My 2.5 year old uses approximately 20 a week. She uses LUVS size 4. So the mom pays me $7 a week and I buy a pack a week for $6.95. Generally I have extras left over in case she's here for a long shift etc.

Mom of special dcg and little brother. I buy a case of size 2 Huggies (for girl) and a case of size 3 LUVS (for the infant) once a month. And mom pays me out of pocket that amount. At the end of the month I send the extras home for her to use there in case she's short on diapers and we start over again at the first of the month.

The first of the month special dcg mom brings a case of infant formula, a case of tube feeding formula, a case of tube feeding bags, and a box of Mickey j extensions and all that goes into my closet for use while here. She also beings extra clothes if needed. Etc. then she's good for the month.

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parents also keep their money, credit cards, and their own meds in the bag.. you don't want that liability

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