Pets...

[Lee-Bee]

If you are advertising as a pet free daycare and are seriously considering getting a dog then I would send out a notice to current families noting that you are removing the pet free status of your daycare and that you are in the process of considering a dog and that you will keep them posted as to your decisions and any changes to take place.

This will allow families to inform you if it is a concern. Be prepared to send out a notice letting them know what, if any, contact with the children the dog will have. hopefully none of your families care :-)

You will need to have new contracts made and signed (or an amendment to the current one) noting the removal of your pet free status. Do this before you get any pet as you would technically be in breach of your current contract and that opens you up for potential problems.

Odds are you would know if any families wanted pet free. They would have spoken about it at your interview, even if you were noted as pet free. Anyone with an allergy etc would voice it. There may be some families that just prefer pet free, but hopefully they are settled in and happy to stay.

[3littlemonkeys]

I have a dayhome with 2 dogs (10 years and 2 years old) and 3 cats (1 year - 13 years old). My parents all love the fact that their children learn about animals, and how to interact with them appropriately.
Be sure to learn the signs of stress in a dogs face, and that children never put their face in the dogs face. Puppy school instructors are great at helping you learn these things.

All the best!