Neighbors Against My Daycare

[youretooloud]

I too have had a licensed daycare... in the past. I was very careful not to annoy my neighbors, but that is not the rule of thumb with most. I am currently living next to a daycare and as I write this note I can hear all of her unruley loud rude children screaming in their pool!!! She as always is in her house or wherever! I live in a very nice neighborhood and I hate this daycare next door. I should be able to lay next to my pool and enjoy peace and quiet... but I can't!!! My summers are spent listening to her loud rude children while she stays in her air conditioned home or barely pays attention to the noise!!! So just be aware that your daycare can affect more than just you!!!

See? I am that kind of provider. (we don't have a pool) But, my house is litterally 10 feet away from the one next to me. I can hear every single word said INSIDE the neighbor's house. I can hear three neighbors perfectly well when they are on their patios.

So, can you imagine how loud my kids are to the neighbors? I worry about this all the time.

I don't have anything I can do to make sure it's more quiet. But, my kids aren't rude... they are just toddlers and preschoolers. They are very loud though.

We were outside today playing with the hose, and they were incredibly loud. I feel bad. (in all fairness though, the kids haven't been out for over a week)

[Blackcat31]

this thread is from October of 2010.

[youretooloud]

this thread is from October of 2010.

I know.. but, someone else brought it up today, so I hijacked one of the newer comments.

So, it's an old conversation with a new subject now.

Because.. what if... the "unregistered" provider who was complaining about the kids in the pool is actually one of MY neighbors complaining about my kids???? What if the crazy family behind me somehow tracked me down here, and they are being passive aggressive? I want to know if my neighbors think my kids are too obnoxious...but, I don't want them to think I have a pool! And, let kids play in it alone.

[Kaddidle Care]

I'm still stuck on the OP talking about Zoning. In my town, the only reason you apply to the Zoning Board is to get a variance because something you are trying to do isn't right for the zoning you have.

for example:
I live in a residential neighborhood. Let's say my next door neighbor wants to run a doggy daycare and applies to the Zoning board. You can pretty much bet your bippy that I'm going to show up and diss it. I love animals but I don't want a kennel next door.

Everyone always thinks the worst when the township has to bend the rules (essentially a variance) to allow something.

Most Daycare children aren't outside playing ALL DAY and people don't realize that. Ours can get pretty loud and I allow it for a few moments but then talk to them about toning it down. NOBODY needs to scream at the top of their lungs to have fun. Children laughing and playing is a good sound but they don't have to be obnoxious about it. It's up to their caregivers to keep them at a livable level. If the children refuse, they can play indoors.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I can totally relate!

Oh I am so sorry to hear this! What a shame! First I want to applaude you for sticking to your guns and pushing through the zoning/permit process. I went through this too. I opened a small center, we don't live there, but had to go through a Major Conditional Use. Traffic studies, stormwater runoff study, install parking lot, install handicapped ramp, landscape buffer installed, and yes, the dreaded neighborhood impact meeting! I did not have issues with neighbors, practically no one showed up. BUT there was a church daycare across the street, and they certainly showed up! "How DARE you try to open a daycare across the street from ours! We have been here 20 years! Are you trying to hurt our business? What is your education? How much experience?...." The city official conducting the meeting had to cut her off and tell her that was NOT the purpose of the meeting. "This meeting is to discuss potential issues like traffic, noise, etc." The director of the church daycare muttered some very un-christian things and stormed out.
Oh and by the way, they are out of business now, because they ****ed anyways.

So let your neighbor b***h a fit, the city/county is the one making the final decision. I am scared for you though....so much stress and worry....try to relax and wait out the process. As long as you play by the rules and follow all the zoning regs, you'll be fine. I hope once you do get approved, it won't be a constant stream of petty and unfounded complaints, just to make you miserable. You will get a lot of support here! I am pulling for you! Stick to your plan and to heck with the neighbors!

[Lisa4kids]

this thread is from October of 2010.

If you look at the posts from yesterday.... UNREGISTERED seemed to have nothing better to do than to drudge up OLD posts and make negative comments on them ( about 5 old posts). the times were from 1:25 pm - 2:13 pm.... think it was just to get a rise out of current providers. This person couldn't even register to make his/her comments and I could tell by the posts that he/she were ignorant to many facts and had no clue as to what he/she was talking about. :: :: :: TROUBLE-MAKER....

[Unregistered]

Sorry but a daycare in a neighborhood is just a plain nuisance. Loud and inconsiderate of everyone else. With screaming kids and yelling adults. If you yhink this is fair then at least give me some of the money your making. I'm tired I suffering so you can make a buck. Found this site trying to find the right people to call to complain.

[Michelle]

Professional day care providers do not usually yell at the kids.
We all know that it's abusive and doesn't work anyway.
I have a neighbor that was outside yelling at her kid to get in the car and my husband couldn't stand it anymore, so he just walked outside, kneeled down to the child's level and softly told her to get in the car.. and she did.

We are very experienced and our daycares run like clockwork most of the time. I can have 12 kids in my house and we are quieter than my neighbor who only has 3 kids.

Family daycares are an asset to neighborhoods.

[dave4him]

[QUOTE=mymomschoice;49688]

1) Having a neighborhood with kids that feel safe makes the value go up to me.

2) Noise - People hate the trains here but dont try to get them to move out of town!

3) Traffic issues - HAHA wish i could put some speed bumps in

4) Parking spaces - I have a one car garage and no where to park

5) lights are always off at night (Isn't that funny?) ::::::::::::

[sharlan]

If you look at the posts from yesterday.... UNREGISTERED seemed to have nothing better to do than to drudge up OLD posts and make negative comments on them ( about 5 old posts). the times were from 1:25 pm - 2:13 pm.... think it was just to get a rise out of current providers. This person couldn't even register to make his/her comments and I could tell by the posts that he/she were ignorant to many facts and had no clue as to what he/she was talking about. :: :: :: TROUBLE-MAKER....

Gee, 5 mos later and here comes UNREGISTERED, again!

[dave4him]

Now now be nice

[Texasjeepgirl]

Wow.. I recieved an email with new posts .. and this was one of the threads that had new posts.. I realize the ORIGINAL post was over a year ago...but..
I feel compelled to reply to this..
I too have had the experience of NEIGHBORS...

I've been a HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER for over 19 years now.
I'm in Texas (as per my username)...
I started my career as a REGISTERED home in 1992.. ..
In 1993 I moved to a new .. larger home.. about 1 block from a junior college... and in a nice brick neighborhood.. My home was the OLD HOUSE... the others were all new... I was next door to the cardiologist.. across the street from a dentist.. and a family physician for our town..
I knew them all in one way or another.. .and.. assumed that everyone was 'nothing' but pleased with my arrival in the neighborhood.
I had a nice reputation .. I'd kept the City Manager's child.. and I was well know in our community.. so I thought it was all peaches and roses..
At the time.. I was UNAWARE of the requirement for me to have a SPECIFIC USE PERMIT... but..3 years after moving in to the neighborhood..... I was keeping the COUNTY ATTORNEY'S secretary's child.....she kindly informed me that I needed to apply for the permit..
I sent in the application..
and.. a few days later.. the City Manager...ALSO part time daycare customer.. called me to 'put the bug in my ear' that some of my neighbors had called to complain.
Here's how it works.
I filled out SPECIFIC USE PERMIT APPLICATION.. and... mailed it in with a fee..
Then.. they send out letters to all my neighbors..within a certain number of feet from my property line.. in all directions.

Apparently the neighbors weren't as thrilled with me as I thought they were...
I had been there for over 3 years.. I'd kept the Cardiologists child as a drop in.. I'd kept several other of the neighbors children.. or GRAND children..
but.. apparently there were a few that didn't enjoy me being there...
Luckily.. I had one specific neighbor (the dentist's wife) that was thrilled for me to be there.. and.. she came to the ZONING meeting.. and spoke in my defense..
One neighbor was upset about my 'plastic' toys in the front yard..
I explained that although we normally had all the toys in the back yard.. behind the privacy fence.. we had been doing some construction in the back yard (building a new patio area and awning for shade) so I had moved a few things to the front yard for the kids..... but.. Pointed out to this person.. I had a 6 year old.. and a 2 year old.. those 'plastic toys' were not only my daycare toys..they were also MY OWN children's toys...and whether I had a daycare.. or NOT.. those toys would be in my yard...
Long story short.. I got the permit..
A few years later... I moved...
I applied for...and recieved.. another SPECIFIC USE PERMIT...
I ran my daycare in that location a few years...then my husband and I sold that home..
I applied for another permit.. at next address...
and.. got that one with no problem also..

Then.. in 2007.. I moved my daycare in to my mother-in-laws home..
It's sort of a long story of WHY...but..
I wasn't worried..
My MIL had a nice brick home.... large.. formal living .. and DEN...I asked to use the DEN for my daycare room.. and offered to pay property taxes...and home owners insurance.. or utilities...
anyway.. I open on Monday.. and.. on Friday.. The City calls..
says.. we have information that you are running a daycare at this address..
I say .. yes.. I just moved here Monday.. he said.. well..I'm sure you are aware you need a SPECIFIC USE PERMIT.. I said...yes.. I am completely aware... I always apply for..an recieve my permit..well..
suffice it to say.. this time..
It didn't go too smooth.

The next door neighbor.. lady in her later 50's..living with a room mate..
she worked at the bank.. with my friend.. she was NOT EVEN HOME during business hours.. but... she made up her mind.. she did NOT want my daycare next to HER... I sent out letters.. introducing myself.. telling them how many years I'd been in business...that I was a small home.. that I kept 12 children.. or less.. and that I had a good reputation...and great references with such persons as the City Manager.. the Mayor's grand daughter... the City Attorney's assistant's child...etc..
and that I was glad to take calls.. emails.. letters.. addressing any concerns they might have with me being in the neighborhood...
Meanwhile.. I watched from the window as the next door neighbor knocked on doors...and pointed across the street toward where I was...
I did NOT get that permit..

[Unregistered]

no respect for neighboorhood

I live in a quiet neighborhood. My neighbor across the street operates a large family daycare for up to 14 kids. I work hard and want to relax or watch a ball game when I get home from work. I like to open the window to let in a little fresh air. Every day at 5 pm my neighbor trots the little rats out to play screaming games in the front yard. You wouldn't believe how loud these kids can scream from 5pm to 6:30 monday through Friday. But the rats aren't what I object to. Kids screaming are really not that annoying. The adult daycare providers that monitor the screaming games scream the loudest to encourage the children. I didn't know you could scream that loud saying go,go go or byeee byyyeee. It seems like these are the only english words these daycare providers know because they are shouted at the top of their lungs everyday from 5 to 6:30. I have stayed home from work and the kids are not outside during the day when everyone is at work. They are only trotted out when the parents come to pick them up. I can see the other side of the coin where the neighbors are not happy with the constant noise, the complete disregard for the neighbors quiet enjoyment of their property. This law allowing large family darecare centers of 14 children in residential neighborhoods is a crime. It should be repealed and these daycare providers that disregard the beauty and quiet and peace that neighbors bought property here to enjoy are the strongest argument to repeal this stupid law.

[Tom Copeland]

Neighbors

I once helped a provider who had a neighbor complain because she put up a sign on her front lawn: "Overnight care opening." The neighbor complained about noise, even though the provider had been doing overnight care for several years! The neighbor complained to the zoning office, licensing, and the city council. We even we to mediation with the neighbor. Eventually there was no one left to complain to, and the neighbor stopped.

[Unregistered]

Bad idea

I too have had a licensed daycare... in the past. I was very careful not to annoy my neighbors, but that is not the rule of thumb with most. I am currently living next to a daycare and as I write this note I can hear all of her unruley loud rude children screaming in their pool!!! She as always is in her house or wherever! I live in a very nice neighborhood and I hate this daycare next door. I should be able to lay next to my pool and enjoy peace and quiet... but I can't!!! My summers are spent listening to her loud rude children while she stays in her air conditioned home or barely pays attention to the noise!!! So just be aware that your daycare can affect more than just you!!!

I have a residential daycare that recently opened two houses down the block from me here in Chicago and the noise from the screaming kids and their wheeled toys on the concrete driveway every afternoon is, to put it nicely, a real nuisance. The sound travels throughout my home even with the doors and windows closed. Is there no recourse available to our previous peace and quiet?