Big Problem... Worried... Help?

[MCC]

I have separate rooms for preschoolers and for infant/toddlers. ALL age appropriate toys stay in the rooms they were meant to be in.

If preschoolers want to do something that has tiny pieces, they do it in a separate room with a barrier or gate so the toddlers can't access them.

I don't allow any hair clips or bows that could be a potential choking hazard.

OP- I am sorry you are dealing with this, I hope DCB is fine!

Others- do you consider duplo blocks chocking hazards? I have a group of all under 3 yo. 3 about to turn 3, and 3 under 1. The almost 3 yos love the duplos, (not the big fat ones, not the tiny legos, but the mid-size duplo blocks.) The one by one block fits through a toilet paper roll, but it seems so unlikely that it could be swallowed. Since the kids are under three, but almost 3, I just wasn't sure if it's okay for them to play with them? I'm switching from a permit to a license and am having my inspection any day now, so I'm trying to decide where to put the duplos.

[dingledine]

Also, thanks again for your support and suggestions. I've only been a provider for a year, so some of this is pretty new to me.

[dingledine]

OP- I am sorry you are dealing with this, I hope DCB is fine!

Others- do you consider duplo blocks chocking hazards? I have a group of all under 3 yo. 3 about to turn 3, and 3 under 1. The almost 3 yos love the duplos, (not the big fat ones, not the tiny legos, but the mid-size duplo blocks.) The one by one block fits through a toilet paper roll, but it seems so unlikely that it could be swallowed. Since the kids are under three, but almost 3, I just wasn't sure if it's okay for them to play with them? I'm switching from a permit to a license and am having my inspection any day now, so I'm trying to decide where to put the duplos.

I've wondered about this as well...

[Blackcat31]

The mom went, they did the X-ray, found nothing. They were hoping to see an expansion of the lungs/throat, if there were an issue. They brought him back, we were told to just watch him, and wait to see if something passes.

I can't have a separate room... I just don't have one right now. I do have the big girls do activities at the table, but sometimes those items fall. From now on, I will be the only one to bring those out, watch the whole time, then put them away. Also, any other choking hazards will have to come out.

I'm going to have to file a report with my licensor, and self-report to CPS.

The mom was friendly about the whole thing. Her and her husband are teachers. She even offered to buy me a starbucks on the way back. Considering the circumstances, I really couldn't accept.

Hopefully the toy passes, and that is the end of it. I'm fairly certain he swallowed it.

I am so glad this worked out ok...

I hope I didn't come across as if I thought you HAVE to have a separate room... I didn't mean to imply that. I was just answering someone's question about mixed age groups and dealing with this type of thing.

I think that you can do everything you can to keep them safe and sometimes things will still happen.

Now you know he is a mouther and will swallow anything he gets in his mouth. I also agree that it is just best to be diligent about not allowing small parts and/or pieces and just be as careful as you can.

That's really all you can do. I am sure licensing will be fine. You did everything right as far as I can tell. I am also glad this DCM is cool with you about it.

(((hugs)))) breath deep and relax. It's all good. :hug:

[TwinKristi]

I only have kids 2 and under right now and only had a hand full of older kids, but anything not appropriate for toddlers was done during nap time. I think Duplos are fine. I have a guy who puts everything in his mouth and he can fit the smaller square Duplo in his mouth and that's it. He couldn't swallow it.
The only thing I do have is a train table now that has some smaller and plastic pieces but I'm taking those out this weekend because after 3 days I've already had 3 plastic pieces broken which creates smaller, sharp pieces.

Anyway, sorry this happened OP. I really hope he didn't swallow it and you find it later. Glad the parents don't seem upset and brought him back.

[dingledine]

Thanks, I was just clarifying that I don't at this time. I know it wasn't directed at myself.

[nannyde]

OP- I am sorry you are dealing with this, I hope DCB is fine!

Others- do you consider duplo blocks chocking hazards? I have a group of all under 3 yo. 3 about to turn 3, and 3 under 1. The almost 3 yos love the duplos, (not the big fat ones, not the tiny legos, but the mid-size duplo blocks.) The one by one block fits through a toilet paper roll, but it seems so unlikely that it could be swallowed. Since the kids are under three, but almost 3, I just wasn't sure if it's okay for them to play with them? I'm switching from a permit to a license and am having my inspection any day now, so I'm trying to decide where to put the duplos.

I don't allow the one by one blocks.

[Brooksie]

I don't allow the one by one blocks.

Can you get a play yard? That's what I needed to do so the older kids could have time to do those activities while not being bothered by the babies and also keeping babies safe. Its takes up some floor space but they do break down and I don't think its that much of a PITA. I call it my baby sanctuary and rearranged my activity tables so we really aren't losing a lot of floor space

[MCC]

Can you get a play yard? That's what I needed to do so the older kids could have time to do those activities while not being bothered by the babies and also keeping babies safe. Its takes up some floor space but they do break down and I don't think its that much of a PITA. I call it my baby sanctuary and rearranged my activity tables so we really aren't losing a lot of floor space

I have a play yard, and I do use it to keep the crawlers away from the blocks, I'm just curios if my 2 year olds are "aloud" to play with the one by one blocks. I'm thinking I'll just put the duplos up until after licensing come out, and ask them what they think.

[Leigh]

I don't currently have any kids who put things in their mouths (thank God!), but when they play with Duplo blocks, they have to play with me. I keep them in a tote that locks shut, and keep it in my bedroom (which has a lock on the door). I take them out and play with the kids, then we pick them up and put them back in my room. I really can't see a kid swallowing one, myself, but I worry too much about it to leave the kids alone with them. I do have some BIG blocks in the toy room that the kids always have access to, but they prefer the Duplos.

[dingledine]

I talked with my licensor today again. She asked if the child had passed anything, I said no. He has not pooped anything out. It is POSSIBLE that he didn't swallow it. It is large, and he made no choking/gagging noise, nothing... so I don't know. However, my licensor said that I may be getting a Valid complaint... is that the right word? I might get a valid issue with licensing, or need to be observed, not sure. I'll have to wait and see. Also, I know she will have to come by and visit. I am a bit concerned about all of this. I just feel like I should have noticed it in his mouth sooner... I wasn't looking at him the whole time, and although I didn't see these toys as a problem... they are GENERALLY UP and out of reach, and I should have been more responsible to keep them up. So, I deserve whatever I get, but I'll be so ashamed if I have to post some sort of notice on the door, or whatever I have to do. I'm glad the child seems okay, and I guess I'm glad I was proactive, and the parents are glad I was proactive... but still... it just doesn't look good.

[MyAngels]

I had my dh build me a table top with about a 1.5 inch lip around the edge that I pull out and put on top of my kitchen table for activities that have small pieces. It works great to keep small things confined to the table and out of reach of the smaller kids.

[originalkat]

Speaking of separate areas for Infant/toddlers...A long time ago I ran across a website where the provider had an area of her room gated off really cute and it said "The Nest". She had all of the infant/toddler stuff in there and could go in and out the gate. Super cute.

:hug: This too shall pass!! You did the right thing and the child is okay. I am sure the parents know their child is safe with a provider who's top priority is their child's safety!!

[originalkat]

I had my dh build me a table top with about a 1.5 inch lip around the edge that I pull out and put on top of my kitchen table for activities that have small pieces. It works great to keep small things confined to the table and out of reach of the smaller kids.

Great Idea!!

[TwinKristi]

OP- Bummer about the complaint/citation or whatever happens because of this.