Does Anyone Else NEVER Go Offsite?

[daycarediva]

I do field trips in nicer weather, and do walks daily. I am STRONGLY rethinking it.


Today on our walk we encountered a medium sized mixed breed dog, I had 6 kids on a rope, and the dog was unleashed and obviously loose and was came right up to us. I turned the kids around and told them we were going to race home to play with water beads and the light table (their favorite thing, hoping to make them rush since they walk at about 1/4 mile an hour ) the dog followed and started trying to approach the kids. It's tail wasn't wagging, he didn't look at all friendly. I kicked it before it got to a dck (who started screaming in fear even though she wasn't touched). When we got safely in the door to the house, I sat down, hugged them all and nearly cried, I was THAT scared about their safety.

What if it had been aggressive? I was 10 blocks from my house alone with 6 kids!

The city is now allowing dogs at our local park/playground as well. It's 2 blocks away and we go there almost daily in summer.

I am just really starting to re-think even leaving the house, is the playground or taking a walk worth the risk of injury? How do I broach this to parents who have been with me and KNOW our field trip/summer outings well?

[daycarediva]

before I get bashed for kicking the dog, I put my sneakered foot onto it's chest and shoved- hard enough to make him back off, he didn't yelp or anything and still followed us halfway home.

I called animal control on my cell who told me I did the right thing and that they were coming out to look for it but couldn't be there for 45 minutes.

[Blackcat31]

before I get bashed for kicking the dog, I put my sneakered foot onto it's chest and shoved- hard enough to make him back off, he didn't yelp or anything and still followed us halfway home.

I called animal control on my cell who told me I did the right thing and that they were coming out to look for it but couldn't be there for 45 minutes.

Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to protect yourself and those kids!

No bashing from me!

I think you handled it right.

[blandino]

We NEVER go off site. We moved in January and before that we took small walks up and down our street. Now that we are in our new location - walks aren't a possibility. We are 100% onsite. It would feel nice to get away once in a while, but it just isn't possible for us. It doesn't bother me much.

I would maybe just explain in a letter that "due to a recent experience while on an outing combines with recently passed legislation, I no longer feel comfortable taking the children on outings". I'm sure most parents, even the disappointed ones, would have to agree that if you have concerns about safety - that safe is better than sorry.

[canadiancare]

I go offsite with them in the Kindervan (a 6 seater stroller). They are only out of that when at the fenced in toddler park. I don't stay at the park if there are too many other children/daycares.
My backyard is well equipped with age appropriate toys so I don't feel they are being punished by my over protectiveness.

5 two year olds to watch is challenging enough without taking into account external factors that I can't control.

[TheGoodLife]

We NEVER go off site. We moved in January and before that we took small walks up and down our street. Now that we are in our new location - walks aren't a possibility. We are 100% onsite. It would feel nice to get away once in a while, but it just isn't possible for us. It doesn't bother me much.

I would maybe just explain in a letter that "due to a recent experience while on an outing combines with recently passed legislation, I no longer feel comfortable taking the children on outings". I'm sure most parents, even the disappointed ones, would have to agree that if you have concerns about safety - that safe is better than sorry.

Agreed! Very scary, glad you all were safe :hug:

[daycarediva]

I was shaking like a leaf, trying not to panic, very close to calling 911 and thinking about how I could safely bring down a dog and keep the kids from being in danger, If I let go of the rope, so do the kids. I really wish I could legally get pepper spray!

Blandino, stealing that exact wording! I am a safety fanatic, better safe than sorry is my MOTTO and this was just out of my control and I would never forgive myself if something happened on my watch.

[daycarediva]

Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to protect yourself and those kids!

No bashing from me!

I think you handled it right.

thank you! I hope everyone understands and nobody does get mad about the dog. I am an animal lover, so he may have been just a big scared baby, but I had no way of knowing that.

[bunnyslippers]

I never leave my house with the dcks. The farthest we ever go is my fenced in backyard.

[daycare]

I go off sure every day! Every day for 10 years. But I do have some crazy strict rules.

[Laurel]

I do field trips in nicer weather, and do walks daily. I am STRONGLY rethinking it.


Today on our walk we encountered a medium sized mixed breed dog, I had 6 kids on a rope, and the dog was unleashed and obviously loose and was came right up to us. I turned the kids around and told them we were going to race home to play with water beads and the light table (their favorite thing, hoping to make them rush since they walk at about 1/4 mile an hour ) the dog followed and started trying to approach the kids. It's tail wasn't wagging, he didn't look at all friendly. I kicked it before it got to a dck (who started screaming in fear even though she wasn't touched). When we got safely in the door to the house, I sat down, hugged them all and nearly cried, I was THAT scared about their safety.

What if it had been aggressive? I was 10 blocks from my house alone with 6 kids!

The city is now allowing dogs at our local park/playground as well. It's 2 blocks away and we go there almost daily in summer.

I am just really starting to re-think even leaving the house, is the playground or taking a walk worth the risk of injury? How do I broach this to parents who have been with me and KNOW our field trip/summer outings well?

I take them on walks and to the park but we never go in a car. We walk to those places (once in a while up to the corner store also if I'm low on something for them like milk).

I wouldn't recommend pepper spray even if you were allowed to use it. I tried it once but put it in a plastic pencil box in the stroller basket underneath. I had two children in a double stroller and two more walking holding onto the stroller. I saw a dog ahead so got it out. We also turned around. The dog didn't even come anywhere near us but since I had it out I was fiddling with it to make sure it was pointed in the right direction for spraying if we should need it in the future. A bit later I wiped some sweat from my forehead with my hand and apparently some of the pepper spray had gotten on it. OMG!!! Just a tiny speck of that stuff burns like a _______insert cuss word there. :: It was all I could do to keep my composure...somewhat...and get those children back home. Then I thought what if one of the walkers had gotten into it while the stroller was parked by the door....

That said, I would have called 911. I would also tell them I was a provider and had little children with me. They would have been there almost immediately I'm sure. Once a parent was leaving my house and came back because she had accidently locked the car door with her child in the car. They were there in a shot! All you have to do is mention daycare.

You'll get no grief from me about kicking a dog. The children are the most important.

I'm glad everything turned out okay. :hug:

Not too long ago my grandchild (age 7) and her friend were at my house on a Saturday. Our neighbor's big dog ran after them. I didn't think the dog was mean but it is never out. Once before it got out by accident. I was so scared but I jumped in front of him and just yelled at him to get out of here and he did. Whew! I was almost surprised that I had done that cause if he would have been mean it would have been bad. But it was my granddaughter. True love I guess. lovethis

Laurel

[NeedaVaca]

I go to parks in the area in a 6 person stroller so they are buckled in until we get there. I have a few parks that no one ever goes to so it's perfect for us. We spend a lot of time in my fenced in backyard as well. I never drive them anywhere.

[Willow]

I don't take my small crew offsite, but also live out in the country on acreage that allows for long walks and exploring.

There are just too many variables that make me far too nervous....like you mentioned with the dogs, wacko people, emergencies, not to mention the challenge of keeping an eye on everyone when I am only one person.

To me it's just not worth the risk. I think parents should offer enough opportunities outside of daycare to socialize all around town, especially at the very young ages I keep. While I think it might be fun, and may work for other providers, I don't think it's necessary. You shouldn't feel bad about keeping your group exclusively onsite daycarediva.


(When I run I carry mace to protect myself and my dogs from stray animals that may threaten us because we've had far too many encounters and a handful of attacks. I can't imagine trying to manage kids while trying to manage dangerous situations like that, they were scary enough just worrying about protecting myself!)

[preschoolteacher]

The run-in with the dog sounds really scary, and I think you did the right thing. I could scoop up one or even two kids if we came across a dog on the loose like this, but what can you do to protect all six? Luckily nothing actually happened. I hope it doesn't stop you from taking them on a walk again, but I can understand if it does.

It makes me sad that people feel like they can't take daycare kids out because of the potential dangers out there. It's good for kids to see the world, to get out and run around at a park, to go for a walk... but I completely understand feeling worried about kids getting hurt or lost or potential liability issues. It just depresses me that it's come to this in our society!

I hope to be able to take daycare kids to the nearby park once I open. I'm interested in getting a Kindervan. I'd LOVE to take occasional field trips to an indoor kiddie gym, to the library, to the museum, and other fun places... but I'm not sure yet how I feel about transporting daycare kids in my vehicle.

It's hard to weigh the benefits of showing kids the world with the potential dangers--including the major trouble you would face if something happened to them while in your care, even if it was unexpected and out of your control.

[sharlan]

I would go crazy if I had to stay home every single day with the kids.

I don't recommend the pepper spray, either.

If I was very concerned about an animal, I wouldn't hesitate to knock on the nearest door.

You have to do what you are the most comfortable with.