Air Mattress

[madlibbs_auntie]

Hey! I'm just starting my HDC and have no crib mattresses and only one play pen but lots of air mattresses. Is this allowed? I've searched this forum(as much as I could) and "googled" it but could find no definite answer. I know for myself I'd much rather sleep on an air mattress than a sleeping mat or cot but I'm also not a 2-4 yr. old! Any ideas if this is safe? ppl take kids camping and they sleep on them there right? I am in Southwest Ontario if that matters. Eventually I would get proper sleeping gear but if this is allowed and I have an abundance why spend the moolah? How would parents react?
Thanks Anyone!
Loving this forum! So informative!!!

[Fun&care]

I wouldn't do it. Air mattresses are a suffocation hazard. I wouldn't take the risk as a provider and I know I wouldn't want my children sleeping on them at daycare. Just my opinion.

[mickyc]

I would just have the children sleep on the floor for now on blankets until you buy sleep cots/mats.

[Dreamalittledream]

If you're near a border, I got these great sleep cots @ Walmart.com.
$22.99 each. Love them! I've been using them for a year now and they still look new.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Regalo-My-...el-Bed/4433186
They have some really cute nap mats (pillow attached) in all different patterns to go with them (range $12-$20 ea.).
I have my under 2's in playpens, the rest are on cots.

[madlibbs_auntie]

Thanks guys! Suffocation was my worry with this but wasnt sure if I was on the right track!! Thanks again!

[pink]

You should ask the parents to supply you with their own playpen. It's in my contract, to date I have had no issues from parents bringing their own playpens.

[mimi]

I supply the playpens. My husband installs terry cloth covered ply wood bases instead of the ones that come with the playpen as the plastic insides will crack and break over time. I then put on a crib sheet, thick comforter and an additional thin blanket on top for cushioning and then a blanket to go on the child for sleep.
I would not use the air mattresses as I would worry they might deflate and become a suffocation hazard.

[Artsand crafts]

You could buy cots or playpens in some locations of Once Upon a child, Kijiji or craigslist. I just bought brand new good quality cots at $25 each from Kijiji from a providers that ended up not needing them.

[kassiemom]

check out freecycle.org its like a free kijiji. also put it out there on Facebook and ask friends and family. I would def say no to an air mattress not safe in any way. I have one of those Rigalo cots and got it at toys r us for around $30 we bought it for my daughter for camping and now use it for daycare. it folds away so nicely like a chair in a bag

[Sassygirl]

I have all my daycare parents supply their own playpens. I plan on keeping these kiddos in playpens for as long as possible safety wise.
When the time comes I may have them sleep on the pads from the playpens on the floor or look into purchasing some cots.