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View Poll Results: Carpet or Hardwood?
Carpet
6
10.53%
Hardwood
36
63.16%
Both
15
26.32%
Voters: 57. You may not vote on this poll
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Poll: Carpet or Hardwood?
mamac 12:16 PM 02-17-2013
I am redoing my entire basement and making it all daycare space. If you could do your space over again, which would you choose? Carpet or hardwood flooring? Would you combine the two for different areas?
Patches 12:19 PM 02-17-2013
Harwood or laminate flooring with rugs. I HATE carpet
MamaBearCanada 12:37 PM 02-17-2013
I feel wood is easier to keep clean. I use foam, beanbags, and pillows on the floor for soft and cozy areas. I have a large area rug for floor play and for babies to play on.
safechner 12:46 PM 02-17-2013
I would recommend hard wood because it is much easier to clean up than carpet. The carpet is very easy to get dirty no matter how you keep clean. That is what I did but we changed to the hard wood about two years ago. It was the best decision I ever made. I love it.... Maybe you can use rug or foam to cover the hardwood.
daycarediva 01:12 PM 02-17-2013
I have hardwoods/ceramic tile throughout my house. SOOOO much easier to clean!
Starburst 02:16 PM 02-17-2013
I would Ideally want hardwood or tile throughout the house- maybe carpet in the bedrooms if they get cold easily- but I would love all hardwood/tile in the house. They also have cork hardwood which I hear is energy efficiant and cheaper- as well as shock-absorbant.
The best thing is with hardwood you can always add a rug but it is harder to get that solid surface you may need if you have carpet. Kids need to beable to do some things like building or drawing on the floor area and carpets can make that difficult. Also you don't really need to vacuumm hardwood all the time- you can always sweep which would be easier to do during nap time and less fear of staining like the carpet.
One lady I worked for all but the bedrooms were tile or hardwood. The kids too their shoes of in the house but the employees could keep them on (I didn't)- except for in the carpet room and she was totally paranoid if the carpet room was at risk of getting stains (and yet that was baby room were we changed diapers- on the floor with a mat).
The best thing is with hardwood you can always add a rug but it is harder to get that solid surface you may need if you have carpet. Kids need to beable to do some things like building or drawing on the floor area and carpets can make that difficult. Also you don't really need to vacuumm hardwood all the time- you can always sweep which would be easier to do during nap time and less fear of staining like the carpet.
One lady I worked for all but the bedrooms were tile or hardwood. The kids too their shoes of in the house but the employees could keep them on (I didn't)- except for in the carpet room and she was totally paranoid if the carpet room was at risk of getting stains (and yet that was baby room were we changed diapers- on the floor with a mat).
LK5kids 03:21 PM 02-17-2013
I love the look of hardwood but I live in a cold climate and love a little carpet too. I think carpet is very "out" but I love the thicker modern shaggy stuff that is available.
It is so nice and cozy. We build a new home about two years ago and I did put in carpet with the Amish putting in hardwood in the kitchen and dining room. I have tile in laundry room, and bathrooms. My husband keeps our house too cold....about 63 degrees and let me tell ya, the kitchen, dr, and bathroom are COLD!
My basement will be hardwood.
I checked "both". We just bought a house for child care that was carpeted with berber (sp?) that is in really nice shape. My husband put down laminate over the area where the kids eat and paint and use the sand table. So I actually have both. Yes, these people had carpet in the dining area...ugh!
It is so nice and cozy. We build a new home about two years ago and I did put in carpet with the Amish putting in hardwood in the kitchen and dining room. I have tile in laundry room, and bathrooms. My husband keeps our house too cold....about 63 degrees and let me tell ya, the kitchen, dr, and bathroom are COLD!
My basement will be hardwood.I checked "both". We just bought a house for child care that was carpeted with berber (sp?) that is in really nice shape. My husband put down laminate over the area where the kids eat and paint and use the sand table. So I actually have both. Yes, these people had carpet in the dining area...ugh!
jenn 03:48 PM 02-17-2013
I have carpet in the play area and laminate in the kitchen. If I won the lottery, I would replace all of our carpet and have the original hardwood floors redone (100 plus year old house).
daycarediva 04:16 PM 02-17-2013
Originally Posted by LK5kids:
I checked "both". We just bought a house for child care that was carpeted with berber (sp?) that is in really nice shape. My husband put down laminate over the area where the kids eat and paint and use the sand table. So I actually have both. Yes, these people had carpet in the dining area...ugh!
When we purchased our home the owners had WHITE carpet in the dining room. We replaced it and refinished the hardwood before we even moved in. I checked "both". We just bought a house for child care that was carpeted with berber (sp?) that is in really nice shape. My husband put down laminate over the area where the kids eat and paint and use the sand table. So I actually have both. Yes, these people had carpet in the dining area...ugh!
Daycare+white carpet+food area???
Blackcat31 04:39 PM 02-17-2013
Carpet is on my list of 10 things I HATE in life.
There is carpet in every room of my daycare house (except the bathroom) and I can NOT stand it!
We just built a new house a few years ago and we have hardwood floors and tile throughout. NO CARPET. Not even in the bedrooms. Ewwww!
There is carpet in every room of my daycare house (except the bathroom) and I can NOT stand it!
We just built a new house a few years ago and we have hardwood floors and tile throughout. NO CARPET. Not even in the bedrooms. Ewwww!
mom2many 09:47 PM 02-17-2013
We have hardwood floors throughout our home and absolutely love them! They are so much easier to keep clean! Our bathrooms have tile, but everything else is wood. I would never go back!!!
LoraJenkins 04:31 AM 02-18-2013
We are removing the carpet and putting in vinyl or laminate here in the next few weeks. Carpet is just too much upkeep.
Brooksie 04:34 AM 02-18-2013
I have hardwood and I love it! I do have some are rugs to designate the different playareas/centers. Its just so much easier to clean and always looks presentable
Jewels 06:21 AM 02-18-2013
I personally love carpet, I love the softness , the comfortableness, last year I got new carpet, and its called smartstrand, everything comes out of this carpet, its the only carpet with a stainfree guarantee, when something has spilled on my carpet I use bleach and water to clean it, or vinegar and water, but its the only carpet you can pour bleach on and it wont hurt it, but I have hardwood in the dining room, and tile throughout the kitchen and hallways and entryway, in these areas I would never want carpet, I find it a great combo, I vacuum everyday, and I have my carpets profesionally cleaned 4X per year, so I take good care of them, I actually think the hardwood and tile always looks dirtier, I have animals so even right after sweeping and mopping there is hair floating and already spots on the floor, drives me crazy, and the grout, impossible to keep clean, I would like to replace all my tile with the laminate tiles that look like real tile, those to me seem like they would be so much easier to keep clean, than real tile. I should add also my playroom is tile but completely covered in those colorful foam tiles.
Evansmom 06:28 AM 02-18-2013
ACK! I accidentally clicked carpet! sorry, I'm still groggy this morning for some reason.
I have wood floors with area rugs. Much much cleaner than carpet! I still steam clean my area rugs though every 6 months. We have a cleaner which in my opinion is a must have for a daycare.
I have wood floors with area rugs. Much much cleaner than carpet! I still steam clean my area rugs though every 6 months. We have a cleaner which in my opinion is a must have for a daycare.
melilley 06:32 AM 02-18-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
When we purchased our home the owners had WHITE carpet in the dining room. We replaced it and refinished the hardwood before we even moved in.
Daycare+white carpet+food area???
Our house had carpet in the dining room also. ewww. Anyways, I had to laugh, we have carpet in the daycare playroom and it's a very light color. My husband thinks that the kids will be able to eat in there-I have a preschool sized table in there-he said just to put a tarp down...lol. I just opened so he hasn't seen toddler eat yet. When we purchased our home the owners had WHITE carpet in the dining room. We replaced it and refinished the hardwood before we even moved in.
Daycare+white carpet+food area???
mamac 06:57 AM 02-19-2013
I had a feeling hardwood would be the more popular answer. 
I do have a swing, a rope ladder and rings that I will be keeping in my daycare space so I will be putting carpet under that but I think I'm going with hardwood for the rest of it. Thanks to everyone who voted!! 
And just to add... My dining room also had newly installed white carpet when we bought our house.
I do have a swing, a rope ladder and rings that I will be keeping in my daycare space so I will be putting carpet under that but I think I'm going with hardwood for the rest of it. Thanks to everyone who voted!! And just to add... My dining room also had newly installed white carpet when we bought our house.
Heidi 07:26 AM 02-19-2013
I would actually go with laminate, because it has a little more "give" than real hardwood, and it's a LOT cheaper. We just layed it in my sister's daycare, and it's beautiful.
If you are in a colder climate, you can lay electric pads under parts of it for warmth. Like this:
http://www.thermosoft.com/radiant-fl...rmofloor-240v/
I posted some pics of my sisters daycare on the decor group, if you'd like to see them.
This was the inspiration, from one of the daycare catalogs I have:
If you are in a colder climate, you can lay electric pads under parts of it for warmth. Like this:
http://www.thermosoft.com/radiant-fl...rmofloor-240v/
I posted some pics of my sisters daycare on the decor group, if you'd like to see them.
This was the inspiration, from one of the daycare catalogs I have:
Attached:
dream daycare room.jpg (152.7 KB)
canadiancare 08:14 AM 02-19-2013
We have a builder installed beige carpet (19 years old) in our front room which is the playroom. I hate, hate, hate it. I own a steam cleaner that is my best friend.
I intend to redo our whole house with hardwood (including kitchen) but to do that I want to also switch up the footprint of the kitchen so I need to make it a big project.
I am at the point, now though that I may end up replacing the underpad and carpet in the front room with something that isn't showing its age just until I get the hardwood in.
I intend to redo our whole house with hardwood (including kitchen) but to do that I want to also switch up the footprint of the kitchen so I need to make it a big project.
I am at the point, now though that I may end up replacing the underpad and carpet in the front room with something that isn't showing its age just until I get the hardwood in.
frugalmama4 08:51 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I would actually go with laminate, because it has a little more "give" than real hardwood, and it's a LOT cheaper. We just layed it in my sister's daycare, and it's beautiful.
If you are in a colder climate, you can lay electric pads under parts of it for warmth. Like this:
http://www.thermosoft.com/radiant-fl...rmofloor-240v/
I posted some pics of my sisters daycare on the decor group, if you'd like to see them.
This was the inspiration, from one of the daycare catalogs I have:
Oh Heidi, this is beautiful! What catalog is this from? I'm looking for inspiration for my space. ThanksI would actually go with laminate, because it has a little more "give" than real hardwood, and it's a LOT cheaper. We just layed it in my sister's daycare, and it's beautiful.
If you are in a colder climate, you can lay electric pads under parts of it for warmth. Like this:
http://www.thermosoft.com/radiant-fl...rmofloor-240v/
I posted some pics of my sisters daycare on the decor group, if you'd like to see them.
This was the inspiration, from one of the daycare catalogs I have:
HomeMADE 10:40 AM 02-19-2013
I have laminate flooring and I have a pet. I agree that the floors do show dirt. However I just sweep twice a day and damp mop at the end of the day. I can only imagine what was being trapped in the carpet if w hat I see on my laminate is any indication, GROSS.
Attached:
Feb 2013 Download 004.jpg (84.4 KB)
Heidi 10:55 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by frugalmama4:
Oh Heidi, this is beautiful! What catalog is this from? I'm looking for inspiration for my space. Thanks
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/pro...=1361300075299Oh Heidi, this is beautiful! What catalog is this from? I'm looking for inspiration for my space. Thanks
It took me a while to find the online pic. If you order a catalog, I think it's a whole side so you can really see it.
Heidi 10:57 AM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by HomeMADE:
I have laminate flooring and I have a pet. I agree that the floors do show dirt. However I just sweep twice a day and damp mop at the end of the day. I can only imagine what was being trapped in the carpet if w hat I see on my laminate is any indication, GROSS.
Is that your livingroom turned into daycare, or your daycare room made homey? It's a lovely room, either way!I have laminate flooring and I have a pet. I agree that the floors do show dirt. However I just sweep twice a day and damp mop at the end of the day. I can only imagine what was being trapped in the carpet if w hat I see on my laminate is any indication, GROSS.
Just wondering why your big green shelf appears to be out from the wall, blocking that beautiful cabinet? Or is that a trick of the camera?
Oneluckymom 11:13 AM 02-19-2013
I have hardwood. I put down some large space rugs that I got from Costco. They were on sale and when the life is gone from them I can just replace them without feeling bad about it.
I suggest putting down hardwood...Its easy to clean.
I suggest putting down hardwood...Its easy to clean.
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:47 AM 02-19-2013
I have tile in every room that the daycare is in (entryway, room 1, room 2, room 3, kitchen that they walk through to get outside, and their bathroom). It is SO EASY to mop every single day. I have hardwood elsewhere and carpets in kids bedrooms upstairs. But, I really like the ease of "hard" flooring with rugs on top.
mamac 12:03 PM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I would actually go with laminate, because it has a little more "give" than real hardwood, and it's a LOT cheaper. We just layed it in my sister's daycare, and it's beautiful.
If you are in a colder climate, you can lay electric pads under parts of it for warmth. Like this:
http://www.thermosoft.com/radiant-fl...rmofloor-240v/
I posted some pics of my sisters daycare on the decor group, if you'd like to see them.
This was the inspiration, from one of the daycare catalogs I have:
I remember seeing the pics and I loved the look of the floors. I would actually go with laminate, because it has a little more "give" than real hardwood, and it's a LOT cheaper. We just layed it in my sister's daycare, and it's beautiful.
If you are in a colder climate, you can lay electric pads under parts of it for warmth. Like this:
http://www.thermosoft.com/radiant-fl...rmofloor-240v/
I posted some pics of my sisters daycare on the decor group, if you'd like to see them.
This was the inspiration, from one of the daycare catalogs I have:
I actually have laminate flooring in my laundry room but I have found it is much slipperier than actual hardwood. My kids slip slide all over the place on it. I personally like that it is much "softer" than hardwood but it will be tough trying to convince my dh to go with that. He is a carpenter so we get all our materials at wholesale places and install ourselves so hardwood isn't that expensive. I am still trying to figure out how to lay everything out. Arghh! I wish I cold hire a professional designer because I am kind of at a loss as to what to do with the space...
Willow 12:11 PM 02-19-2013
I plan to re-do everything in awesome hardwood when I retire, wouldn't be worth the damage that could/would occur having it in a daycare space to me though!
We have laminate and carpet. I love both for the purposes they serve right now
We have laminate and carpet. I love both for the purposes they serve right now
mamac 12:11 PM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by canadiancare:
We have a builder installed beige carpet (19 years old) in our front room which is the playroom. I hate, hate, hate it. I own a steam cleaner that is my best friend.
I intend to redo our whole house with hardwood (including kitchen) but to do that I want to also switch up the footprint of the kitchen so I need to make it a big project.
I am at the point, now though that I may end up replacing the underpad and carpet in the front room with something that isn't showing its age just until I get the hardwood in.
We have a builder installed beige carpet (19 years old) in our front room which is the playroom. I hate, hate, hate it. I own a steam cleaner that is my best friend.
I intend to redo our whole house with hardwood (including kitchen) but to do that I want to also switch up the footprint of the kitchen so I need to make it a big project.
I am at the point, now though that I may end up replacing the underpad and carpet in the front room with something that isn't showing its age just until I get the hardwood in.
I definitely recommend hardwood in the kitchen. We thought it was a bit weird when we bought the house but it is much warmer than tile and we love it! For anyone getting hardwood floors- Make sure you go with pre-finished flooring. It makes a HUGE difference. Our kitchen has been sanded and refinished twice in the same amount of time as we have had our prefinished floors and it still doesn't look as nice. The prefinished still look brand new after 2 kids and a large breed dog running all over it, dragging toys, chairs and everything else.
wdmmom 12:16 PM 02-19-2013
I would never opt for hardwood for daycare space. Hardwood for MY own personal space, absolutely but for daycare space, heck no!
I could see kids wanting to "skate" in their socks on it and I'm sure bonking your noggin on laminate rather than carpet has to hurt more. For the sake of the new walkers and littler ones, I'd opt for carpet, even if I do have to steam clean it multiple times a year.
I could see kids wanting to "skate" in their socks on it and I'm sure bonking your noggin on laminate rather than carpet has to hurt more. For the sake of the new walkers and littler ones, I'd opt for carpet, even if I do have to steam clean it multiple times a year.
Willow 12:32 PM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by wdmmom:
I would never opt for hardwood for daycare space. Hardwood for MY own personal space, absolutely but for daycare space, heck no!
I could see kids wanting to "skate" in their socks on it and I'm sure bonking your noggin on laminate rather than carpet has to hurt more. For the sake of the new walkers and littler ones, I'd opt for carpet, even if I do have to steam clean it multiple times a year.
I would never opt for hardwood for daycare space. Hardwood for MY own personal space, absolutely but for daycare space, heck no!
I could see kids wanting to "skate" in their socks on it and I'm sure bonking your noggin on laminate rather than carpet has to hurt more. For the sake of the new walkers and littler ones, I'd opt for carpet, even if I do have to steam clean it multiple times a year.
This was my thought too! I was surprised to see how common it is!
My parents switched from carpet and tile to hardwood in my childhood home. I remember them ranting about how expensive it was and even though we were in our teens and not all wild and crazy how easily it still scratched and dented - they had a bird every single time. I can't imagine being that worried about flooring!
Heidi 12:39 PM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by mamac:
I remember seeing the pics and I loved the look of the floors. I actually have laminate flooring in my laundry room but I have found it is much slipperier than actual hardwood. My kids slip slide all over the place on it. I personally like that it is much "softer" than hardwood but it will be tough trying to convince my dh to go with that. He is a carpenter so we get all our materials at wholesale places and install ourselves so hardwood isn't that expensive. I am still trying to figure out how to lay everything out. Arghh! I wish I cold hire a professional designer because I am kind of at a loss as to what to do with the space...
ooooh...I would love to give you input. I'm pretty good at it, too. What's your budget? lolI remember seeing the pics and I loved the look of the floors.
I actually have laminate flooring in my laundry room but I have found it is much slipperier than actual hardwood. My kids slip slide all over the place on it. I personally like that it is much "softer" than hardwood but it will be tough trying to convince my dh to go with that. He is a carpenter so we get all our materials at wholesale places and install ourselves so hardwood isn't that expensive. I am still trying to figure out how to lay everything out. Arghh! I wish I cold hire a professional designer because I am kind of at a loss as to what to do with the space...
Sprouts 07:11 PM 02-19-2013
Originally Posted by Evansmom:
ACK! I accidentally clicked carpet! sorry, I'm still groggy this morning for some reason.
I have wood floors with area rugs. Much much cleaner than carpet! I still steam clean my area rugs though every 6 months. We have a cleaner which in my opinion is a must have for a daycare.
Which cleaner do u have? I am looking for something durableACK! I accidentally clicked carpet! sorry, I'm still groggy this morning for some reason.
I have wood floors with area rugs. Much much cleaner than carpet! I still steam clean my area rugs though every 6 months. We have a cleaner which in my opinion is a must have for a daycare.
Kelly 09:16 PM 02-19-2013
I'm not really a big fan of carpet but I'm considering it for my DC area. I have laminate in the living room and 2 of the 3 bedrooms (DD wanted to keep carpet in hers) and love it. The daycare area/family room has carpet--light colored and old and stained. I'm hoping to replace it when I get my tax refund. I'd really love to have laminate but worry about it being cold. The room is on a concrete slab (the rest of the house is not) and is a colder room than the rest of the house and the floor is always cold even with the current carpet.
mamac 05:30 AM 02-20-2013
Originally Posted by Heidi:
ooooh...I would love to give you input. I'm pretty good at it, too. What's your budget? lol
Budget? What's that? Lol. Seriously though, I don't really have a budget. I'm not going to go super crazy expensive things but my dh is willing to make me happy with whatever I want. Within reason, of course. ooooh...I would love to give you input. I'm pretty good at it, too. What's your budget? lol
I would love any input from anyone who can help. Especially seeing as I have no experience with a daycare and what works vs. what doesn't work.
mamac 05:43 AM 02-20-2013
Originally Posted by wdmmom:
I would never opt for hardwood for daycare space. Hardwood for MY own personal space, absolutely but for daycare space, heck no!
I could see kids wanting to "skate" in their socks on it and I'm sure bonking your noggin on laminate rather than carpet has to hurt more. For the sake of the new walkers and littler ones, I'd opt for carpet, even if I do have to steam clean it multiple times a year.
I would never opt for hardwood for daycare space. Hardwood for MY own personal space, absolutely but for daycare space, heck no!
I could see kids wanting to "skate" in their socks on it and I'm sure bonking your noggin on laminate rather than carpet has to hurt more. For the sake of the new walkers and littler ones, I'd opt for carpet, even if I do have to steam clean it multiple times a year.
Originally Posted by Willow:
This was my thought too! I was surprised to see how common it is!
My parents switched from carpet and tile to hardwood in my childhood home. I remember them ranting about how expensive it was and even though we were in our teens and not all wild and crazy how easily it still scratched and dented - they had a bird every single time. I can't imagine being that worried about flooring!
I will most likely be getting some throw rugs for the different stations (alphabet rugs, circle time rugs, etc.) so I don't think the "skating" will be an issue. This is the reason why I would rather go with hardwood, though, and not laminate because laminate is VERY slippery. Both of my boys often skate their way into my laundry room. This was my thought too! I was surprised to see how common it is!
My parents switched from carpet and tile to hardwood in my childhood home. I remember them ranting about how expensive it was and even though we were in our teens and not all wild and crazy how easily it still scratched and dented - they had a bird every single time. I can't imagine being that worried about flooring!
I had the same thoughts on carpet for the little ones, too. That's actually why my dh and I opted for carpet in our living room but now that our kids are beyond the toppling over stage we are thinking of getting rid of the carpet because it is just so dirty. We don't have a formal entryway where we can avoid walking on the carpet when we come in so it definitely gets worn, even with regular cleaning. I'll probably opt for a small infant-only area with a nice plush throw rug they can crawl around on.
I welcome any input that seasoned DCs can provide as I have no idea what I'm in for! Lol.
DaisyMamma 07:24 AM 02-20-2013
rugs get ruined and gross so easily with little kids and little dogs.
mrsnj 05:11 PM 02-20-2013
We had wood....till a hurricane came and flooded my daycare. I had to tear it all out. Broke my heart. It was only three years old then.
Learned my lesson. Now I have a nice soft commercial inside/outside carpet. Man I had to hunt hunt hunt for something that was nice and soft and worked well. I love it. We had our upflush pump go off during a washer cycle at least a good two or three times since installing (yeah another story
) and it looks perfect! Glad we did it!
Learned my lesson. Now I have a nice soft commercial inside/outside carpet. Man I had to hunt hunt hunt for something that was nice and soft and worked well. I love it. We had our upflush pump go off during a washer cycle at least a good two or three times since installing (yeah another story ) and it looks perfect! Glad we did it!
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:34 PM 02-20-2013
Originally Posted by DaisyMamma:
rugs get ruined and gross so easily with little kids and little dogs.
I have children ages 2.5 to 5 and my rugs still look great. I spot clean them as needed (2 are wool, 1 is a car rug from Ikea, and 1 is a large circle time rug from Lakeshore).rugs get ruined and gross so easily with little kids and little dogs.
Meeko 05:36 PM 02-20-2013
I love the IDEA of wood or laminate, but I find it cold. My sister-in-law's house is all wood floors and I hate the echo and how it makes the house sound like a warehouse. She has some rugs, but it doesn't seem to help.
I have laminate in my bathrooms and kitchen, but carpet elsewhere. It gets very cold here in Utah and I love the visual warmth the carpet gives. I do hate cleaning them tho'!
I have laminate in my bathrooms and kitchen, but carpet elsewhere. It gets very cold here in Utah and I love the visual warmth the carpet gives. I do hate cleaning them tho'!
Texasjeepgirl 04:43 AM 02-21-2013
Originally Posted by Patches:
Harwood or laminate flooring with rugs. I HATE carpet
DITTO!!!Harwood or laminate flooring with rugs. I HATE carpet
2 words
'WASHABLE SURFACES'
KnoxMom 08:22 AM 02-21-2013
I agree with the majority here. My floors do get cold, but I have a large area rug for the nursery and foam tiles for the play area. Having a surface that is easy to clean is important especially for meal time, arts and crafts and water/sand exploration. Good luck!