Wearing Shoes Inside

[small_steps]

I see on here that a lot of providers don't allow shoe wearing inside the house. I just had my garage converted to my new daycare room. The floor isn't carpeted. I've been considering doing the "no shoes" policy or asking them to leave their shoes at the door. The children always usually take their shoes off anyway.
My question is, do you know of anywhere I can find out more about the germs and all the bad things that are brought in by wearing shoes? I too have infants crawling around but would like to educate myself more before I put the policy into effect. Any help is appreciated

[mac60]

Just wondering if you have anything area rugs or exactly what type of flooring you have. If just cement floors, I would think it would be kind of cold. All shoes go off here. Carpet and laminate with area rugs. Kids do as asked/not so much for parents. ***.

[small_steps]

It's not quite finished yet and we aren't in there yet so I don't have my rugs out but there will be area rugs, and also those big foam interlocking mats down. Rugs and mats will cover almost everywhere except right under our table where they eat. And most of the time the kiddos have socks on as well.

[youretooloud]

I don't care one way or the other. If I had an infant only room, I'd require no shoes.

But, I can't go barefoot at all anymore. I have problems with my feet and being barefoot is too painful. Plus, the kids go inside and outside barefoot and drag a bunch of junk in anyway. So, the shoes are not our only source of filth.

[small_steps]

I don't care one way or the other. If I had an infant only room, I'd require no shoes.

But, I can't go barefoot at all anymore. I have problems with my feet and being barefoot is too painful. Plus, the kids go inside and outside barefoot and drag a bunch of junk in anyway. So, the shoes are not our only source of filth.

Mine is not only infants. the majority are infants/toddlers that are on the floor a lot. I'm sure it would be a hassle to keep putting shoes on for outside and then removing them again for inside. And really there isn't a lot of sickness that goes around here, just your normal viral infection that hits a couple times a year. I'm not sure yet, just thinking if I do implement this policy, the time to do it would be before we get into the new room.

[daycare]

Mine is not only infants. the majority are infants/toddlers that are on the floor a lot. I'm sure it would be a hassle to keep putting shoes on for outside and then removing them again for inside. And really there isn't a lot of sickness that goes around here, just your normal viral infection that hits a couple times a year. I'm not sure yet, just thinking if I do implement this policy, the time to do it would be before we get into the new room.

what ages are most of your kids?

I have a no shoe policy. One for hygiene and the other is because it is my husbands culture that you are not allowed to wear shoes in ones house.

I require easy to manage shoes. Most of my kids can put their own shoes on and this is one of the first things that most of mine learn to do....

I make all of the kids try to put their shoes on first independently and then will assist them after they showed me that they have tried....

[Crazy8]

we wear shoes inside - when I first moved here I tried the "no shoes" policy but the floors are cold and slippery (laminate) and I HATE not wearing shoes myself and taking them on and off the kids to go in and out a few times a day was a bit of a PITA too.

[small_steps]

what ages are most of your kids?

I have a no shoe policy. One for hygiene and the other is because it is my husbands culture that you are not allowed to wear shoes in ones house.

I require easy to manage shoes. Most of my kids can put their own shoes on and this is one of the first things that most of mine learn to do....

I make all of the kids try to put their shoes on first independently and then will assist them after they showed me that they have tried....

All of mine 2 & up can put their shoes on themselves. I have two, 18 month olds, and a 12 month old that can't do it yet.
I'm really wondering about the hygiene issue and what all is brought in with shoes. It's not about messing up my carpet or anything because I don't have carpet. I've googled it but haven't found a whole lot on it but will google again later when I have time to really research. Just hoping some that already have that policy for hygiene reasons would know what direction to point me

[beachgrl]

We wear shoes here because I don't want to keep putting on andtaking off shoes but I do have one dcb who will take his off if I dont remind him

[daycare]

I dont think you need to explain yourself..

I just have a huge sign on my door that says no shoes... No one has ever asked...

But if you think about it anything that the ground could be exposed to ends up on shoes....ANYTHING..oil, poop, any forms of bacteria......the possibilities could be endless as there is no control or knowledge of what ends up on the ground.

I also do it because a lot of the kids used to put their feet in their mouths with shoes on and that grossed me out....

[small_steps]

Daycare,
That is gross! It's bad enough without the shoes on but definately with the shoes on. I don't wear shoes except when I go outside. Most of my kiddos don't wear shoes inside anyway. I'm thinking mainly of the parents. I am going to have a little area blocked off near the door where the cubbies will be. I think I will just make the parents wait there and let me come and get the kids or bring them over there at pick up. A couple of my parents are teachers and there's no telling what's caked on the bottom of their shoes, and one mom works for the hospital and I'm sure her's carries a lot of bacteria. You're right though. I shouldn't have to explain it just implement it. After all, this is my house, and I don't think it's a lot to ask.

[morgan24]

I wear shoes inside, but they are only for wearing inside. I have to wear shoes for a foot problem. I tell the parents that if they want they can bring a pair of shoes or slippers for their kids to wear in the house. Outside side shoes come off on the rug by the door and stay there. Parents stay on the rug at pick up or remove their shoes to come in. I have never had any problems with some one coming off the rug with out side shoes on.

[Heidi]

I also have a no shoe policy. The only one who ignores it DH. He wears them though the house and to our bedroom and THEN takes them off. After 10 years together, it is one of those things I had to let go...

Besides the hygiene issue, I found that shoes are often used as a weapon. If kicking someome in the head (accidently or on purpose) isn't bad enough, add the shoe factor....

[small_steps]

True, they do hurt when they are used to kick someone. Also, it's such a pain when the toddlers wear them around and they come off and you have to spend 30 min. hunting for them. Best to just leave them at the door I think, and maybe require everyone to keep a couple extra pairs of socks on hand in case they wear sandals or something and the floor is cold.

[daycare]

...yeah I think it is gross too...

I have a basket near the front door that everyone comes in plops down on the tile entry way and takes off shoes....

None of the parents usually even come off of the tile entry because they don't want to be bothered with having to take their shoes off.

Yes, no explaining...just do it