If you check out FB swap groups for your area or even kijiji, you can find some good deals on playpens. It will then be a write off for you since it's used for daycare. I own 5 playpens and none of my own kids use them since they have been out of them for well over 4 years. They were all bought for daycare...along with my cots. You could also ask the parents to supply 1.