Do u have an entrance off ur basement that they use? Or do they use the main front doors? In My friends daycare...her parents come in and out the main front door. She has cubbies there. She has a small bin of toys and books in the living rm. when they come in they play there till everyone arrives then then go down stairs for the day and come up around pick up time and the kids play or watch tv in the living rm till they are picked up