So are mine!! They come in through the garage into my laundry room, then walk down the hall to the stairs and come down!Quote:
Originally Posted by Artsand crafts
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So are mine!! They come in through the garage into my laundry room, then walk down the hall to the stairs and come down!Quote:
Originally Posted by Artsand crafts
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.