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!!