Water Safety

[Sandbox Sally]

I have no problem putting fenceboard up along that side of the house. Like I said, it'll probably cost $100 bucks, if that. It wasn't something that I felt necessary until reading the protests here. I am pretty sure that if you are all "disturbed" by my cavalier attitude, it can't be good. I am sure that parents would also pick up on my negligence.

[Inspired by Reggio]

.... I am pretty sure that if you are all "disturbed" by my cavalier attitude, it can't be good. I am sure that parents would also pick up on my negligence.

I think it is more a 'comfort' level than anything .. comfort with the risk you feel prepared to deal with based on the benefit that risk brings to program ... I imagine many providers and parents who do not 'know/trust' my program would freak out that I have a sensory bin with 2000 marbles in it in my playroom that I have allowed children as young as 18 months to explore. However know the child and their capabilities and trust them not to put them in their mouth and to keep the marbles 'in' the bin during their exploration so that other wee ones remain safe in the playroom - the risk of choking on those is still there cause one could get 'missed' however in reality a child can choke on food too and I still feed them in care and the 'learning' in the marbles is unique and valuable ... that said I have a 5 years old who still rarely gets a turn in it not that he would 'mouth' them but because he cannot follow the safety rules set out for it to keep the marbles in the bin so that they do not pose a danger to the others if one got 'missed' and marbles fly everywhere within 2 minutes of him playing he gets so excited ... you have to know your group and their capabilities as well as your own comfort level and lay out for supervision and so forth.

If your insurance is good with it and it meets the bylaws and all your tees are crossed and dotted to cover any liability issues than your business your choice ... the fact it freaks me or others out is irrelevant ... I know lots of providers in rural areas where it is the norm to not only have pools on their property but they do daycare group swimming as part of their summer program - clientele have no issue with it as this is how they grew up as well

[michellesmunchkins]

Where I used to live we had to have 2 fences as well. We had our regular back yard fence and then bylaw made us put an entire fence around the pool with a pad lock at the top gate. This was all on top of the regular 8 foot fences our yard had for an above ground pool. Durham is really really picky and anal about pools and fencing.

We moved a year ago and now have an inground pool. Needless to say my backyard is COMPLETELY off limits. No daycare children allowed out there at all. Scary to think it only takes a second for something to happen. I know that I watch my dck's ALL the time, but they are kids and things happen. For me, its easier to keep that area of the house off limits.

[Sandbox Sally]

Durham is really really picky and anal about pools and fencing.

Well good for them, I guess. I think it's strange that you should have to fence off your own pool in your own yard if that's not your preference, though.

We will be under the municipality of Clarington, and I know that you need your yard fenced and gated, and the fence has to be over a certain height etc. I am guessing though, that their bylaw enforcement team is not all that diligent - during our real estate search, I saw AT LEAST three pools in yards that didn't have any type of fencing up. I was seriously appalled. These are in new home areas w a lot of younger neighbourhood kids. Yipes. No fence. At all.

[mom-in-alberta]

We have an above ground pool. It's about 5 feet tall, and I think the diameter is about 19 feet? It requires a ladder to enter and exit, and the ladder is removable. The small kids can't even come close to climbing it (the frame doesn't allow for climbing) and the big kids are trained that if they even look at it without my approval, they sit for the afternoon, LoL. When it's not in use, the ladder is placed about 6 feet away, and even my almost 11 year old can't get it into the pool without adult assistance. I understand that some parents may be turned off by it, but I take all the precautions that are necessary.
If we are using the pool, I get the okay from parents in advance, and my hubby is usually the one who takes them in, one at a time. I also have a sister-in-law who is a lifeguard. That helps, because she'll come over and give me a hand sometimes.
I do tend to stick with the little baby pools, emptied daily, and splash mats/sprinklers. Just easier.

[country girl]

If you google "Natural bug repellents" a whole bunch of sites come up showing you how to make them. I did find one at canadian tire a few years back when i was pregnant made by "Off" but with eucalyptus oil i think - it actually worked really well and had no deet!