Daycare Van Recommendations?

[juniper]

Hi,

I'm opening a home daycare and am looking to purchase a van that will accommodate 5 carseats. Anyone have advice? Specific vans as well as model years? I'm looking in particular at the Toyota sienna and honda odyssey.

I will have two kids under two at most (the limit in WA), so two in bucket seats at most and the rest either ff or rf. I'd like to do extended rf as I do it with my son now. I have three sunshine radians now and will purchase additional carseats as needed.

Thanks for any advice you may have!

[jokalima]

I used a Caravan and it does not fit 5 car seats only 4 so I am not sure if minivans will work for this, but if someone knows please let me know to.

[kitykids3]

I have a Caravan, 2003, and I fit 5 carseats in it. Not easy, I pretty much keep them in there, but there are 5 in there. All 5 point harness.

[DaisyMamma]

I highly recommend the Toyota sienna, 8 seater. You can take out the 6th seat and it will be nice to have it just in case. I have a 2007 and I can fit 6 carseats in it. I love it!

[mema]

We use to have an Odyssey and I loved it. With the Radian car seats, I don't think you'll have any problems fitting 3 across the back of either of those vans

[Karen's Castle]

Daycare Van Recommendations

I own a 2006 Toyoya Sienna, love it!!! 8 seats and back row folds down for transporting large items. We also just installed the Child Alert System that our state requires, it was easy for them to install. The type I purchased cost $300, but has a key that if I were on vacation or a long weekend it can be turned off.

[MNMum]

I also recommend the 8 seat toyota. The 8th seat on the toyota is truly a regular sized seat. I can get 3 carseats in the rear if one of them is a radian. I can get 3 carseats in the middle of almost any variety.

[DayCareDiva30]

Toyota Sienna.

I have the 2008. I can fit 6 car seats in it. And I love that the 3 row folds flat into the floor of the van for when I have to transport large items.

[LaLa1923]

What about if you need more than six seats?

[kathiemarie]

I have a 12 seat ford econoline. I love it! It is easy to get in and out lots of room. I have been in bussiness for 12 years and have done the whole mini-van thing/SUV thing. I will never go back. I love on the weekend if my 14 year old daughter's basketball team needs a ride somewhere I can fit them all. If you are afraid of driving it because its to big don't its easy once you get the hang of it. Infact I like driving it more than our SAAB sudan.