What do parents really want??

[gramma]

How much do you think it matters to parents if you provide a main floor play area or a basement play area?

I currently use my living room as a playroom so its nice and bright and is a fair size but part of me would love to make a huge room in the basement with room to run especially in the winter. I recently looked at another providers website and she has an amazing set up in the basement. I'd love to play there myself. All of my current clients love the main floor but my own kids are grown and I'm honestly sick of looking at toys when I'm not working.

Do you think it deters people from coming to interview if they know that you are in the basement? Its a big investment.

[Artsand crafts]

I would love to have my daycare in the basement to be able to close the door after daycare hours, but I do not have a separate entrance. People have told me that they like the fact I am in the main floor (and some have even told me they are looking for that), some others do not care ... It is convenient the main floor, though having the kitchen besides the daycare area. Unless you have another kitchen in the basement (that would be awesome)

[Wonderwiper]

I think it depends more on what you have done with your space. I have a basement playroom and totally love it. I used to have a main floor one and would never go back.

You can do great things with a big basement space and people just notice that. I have seen main floor playrooms that just looked like a normal living room with a few toys on the floor.

As long as you have a space that parents want to leave their children in I don't think it really matters.

[Wonderwiper]

Arts and crafts....I do not have a separate entrance but have an amazing intercom system ( recommended by sunnydays) that allows me to let parents in through the garage so I don't leave the children unattended!!!!!

[apples and bananas]

Personally, i would only be concerned as a parent if the kids werent' getting outside time or if my child had an allergy to mold or dust.

Otherwise, if your space is amazing, then why not!

I wish I had a basement that I could convert.

[Artsand crafts]

Arts and crafts....I do not have a separate entrance but have an amazing intercom system ( recommended by sunnydays) that allows me to let parents in through the garage so I don't leave the children unattended!!!!!

You are so lucky! The stairs to the basement are in the middle of the house. Parents still would have get through my house to get in. Intercom system is a great idea. If we move out I will keep it in mind! Thank you!

[jammiesandtea]

I think it deters a few parents, but definitely not all or most. Having a main floor daycare space is a selling point for some, but if your basement is finished, safe, and has windows large enough for getting out in an emergency, that's what is most important, to many people. I have 2 daycare playrooms in my basement (with windows large enough for emergency exit), and I have them decorated brightly, with berber carpet on one of the floors and laminate on the other. The basement is finished nicely with permanent ceilings etc. I've gotten a lot of compliments on my set up from parents. Mind you, we spend time on the main floor as well, with meals/snacks and crafts at the dining room table, and we also spend as much time as possible outside, so there's no lack of sunshine in their day. :)

[Crayola kiddies]

My daycare is in my basement and I love it..... we built our house a few years back and designed it with the knowledge that I was putting the daycare down there. soooo it has big windows, an entrance from the garage into the daycare, 9ft ceilings, a full bathroom, a kitchenette, fully carpeted except for tile in the kitchen and bathroom and the whole area is about 1800sqft. we only use the bedrooms upstairs for napping. some of my parents have never even seen my upstairs. I have had many compliments on my space most say its the best they have ever seen. when I advertise I either don't mention it or say "dedicated daycare space" I have never had anybody say im not interested cause its in the basement ...

[gramma]

my biggest issue is that there is no rough in for a bathroom so it would be up and down the stairs for potty time. the cost for a bathroom is just too much. We just have the small basement windows but I could definately get kids out. I might need someone to give me a shove out but I'm working on that LOL. Something to think about I guess. thanks for all the input ladies.

[jammiesandtea]

Wow Crayola, your set-up sounds ideal!!

[Wonderwiper]

You are so lucky! The stairs to the basement are in the middle of the house. Parents still would have get through my house to get in. Intercom system is a great idea. If we move out I will keep it in mind! Thank you!

So are mine!! They come in through the garage into my laundry room, then walk down the hall to the stairs and come down!

[playfelt]

I have both levels in the sense that we converted the diningroom into a playroom which we use first thing in the morning, while I make lunch etc. Often we play in here till babies go down for morning naps and then go down to the basement playroom for the rest of the morning and then back up for lunch.

We eat in the kitchen and use the small bathroom on the main floor too. My diaper change area is main floor too near bathroom although it is quick to grab child's bin and take it to the basement for changes as needed.

Most parents are ok with the basement as they know they are not down there all day. Those that have an issue tend to have lots of issues about a lot of things and too much trouble for me to deal with. I have info in my ads that we have a mainfloor playarea as well as a lower level play area so parents reading that that have issues needn't bother calling and wasting my time.

[DaycareLady]

My current main playroom is in our living, I love it because it is so bight and open....however in the next few weeks we are moving the playroom downstairs to our basement (well we have a raised bungalow so it isn't exactly a basement). It is cozy down there and the room is smaller but it makes so much more sense. We will still use the upstairs room while I make lunch and snack, etc. Between feeding, eating, sleeping and outside time I am finding we don't spend a great deal of time in the daycare room anyways. None of my parents have a problem with the change over as they chose me for ME not my play space.. It will be nice to break up the day and spend some time in all areas of the house anyways. I plan on keeping a basket of books, puzzles and other small activities for the children while I make snacks and lunch.

[JennJubie]

My space is in my basement, but it has large windows, and is bright and sunny. I've had lots of parents make approving comments about having such big windows downstairs. I also have a washroom down there so there's no up and down for bathroom breaks.

I also keep a couple of ottomans upstairs full of toys and books so the kids have something to do while I make lunch.

This time of year, though we spend a lot of time outside!

[sunnydays]

I have a huge basement daycare...and I love it and all the parents who come for interviews do as well :) I have big, bright windows and it does not feel like a basement. I have the intercom system like Wonderwiper and it works great. My stairs to the basement are in the middle of the house too and yes parents have to come through the house, but it is worth it to not have to run kids up and down and leave others alone in the basement. The parents love this system! I love being able to close the door on work at the end of the day. I have a kitchen and bathroom down there as well so we only come up to go outside. So, I think basement is not necessarily a bad thing but it really depends on your basement...if it is dark and windowless, then as a parent I would not want my kid there all day.

[FSD]

I plan on putting my daycare space in the basement when we are financially able to finish our basement. So for now, my daycare space is actually upstairs in my loft and it's great...just wish it were a bit bigger. It's bright and open and very child friendly. I thought it might deter some parents because it was upstairs, but I had a total of 6 interviews, and 5 signed on right away! I think parents go with their gut when they come for an interview. If they feel that you are a caring, nurturing, daycare provider that has a safe, child friendly environment, they'll be happy to sign on with you, whether the space is upstairs, main floor, or in the basement.

[mimi]

My daycare is in the basement with entry from the garage. I have a washroom and naproom as well downstairs. I keep the basement bright by installing pot lights with "outdoor" yellow light bulbs. They make a huge difference and run at about 9 watts instead of 60 watts. I have 9 lights so thats 81 watts instead of 540. Anyway, the kids eat and craft upstairs off my kitchen so the parents know it is not basement only for their kids.