What Do You Think About A Baby Play Yard?

[preschoolteacher]

What do you think about baby play yards?

Pretty soon my group will be:
8 month old
24 month old
24 month old
23 month old
22 month old

Yeah, 4 two year olds and a crawler! I have one decent sized playroom (not huge) and am wondering how to keep baby safe. I'm considering sectioning off an area with a baby play yard that mounts to two walls. It opens with a walk-through door. Pros, cons? I also don't want parents to think I'm caging their baby. Does anyone use these?

[cheerfuldom]

If the 8 month old is crawling, I wouldnt bother with the sectioned off area as they will learn quickly to keep up and the 2 year olds will learn quickly to leave baby alone. I dont allow the older kids to touch the babies at all. If your little one is not crawling and still petite/fragile like some kids can be, yeah a sectioned off area is not a bad idea. I personally would do a pack and play in the play room with baby stuff in it for when you need to have a safe spot to put baby down but for me, four 2 year olds and one 8 month old would not warrant a big change to the daycare space especially stuff mounted to the wall. i'd rather get a super yard type system that will stand on its own. i guess it just depends on how much time during the day there is when you are not directly supervising the big kids with the babies.....I would just work around it. put baby in a high chair with toys while you prep meals and things like that.

[TwinKristi]

Yes I second the large play yard idea rather than a pack & play or something. They make ones with toys and stuff too, like this one. They also make a 6 panel one but for the price I would go 8. I had a SuperGate with 6 panels and it's easily pushed over and this one seems more stable. If I get any babies who aren't walking yet I will be getting one of these.

Baby Kids Playpen 8 Panel Play Center Safety Yard Pen

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V87MJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_ZwRxtb1ZT7RYD

[Laurel]

Yes I second the large play yard idea rather than a pack & play or something. They make ones with toys and stuff too, like this one. They also make a 6 panel one but for the price I would go 8. I had a SuperGate with 6 panels and it's easily pushed over and this one seems more stable. If I get any babies who aren't walking yet I will be getting one of these.

Baby Kids Playpen 8 Panel Play Center Safety Yard Pen
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V87MJQ/..._ZwRxtb1ZT7RYD

I have one with four panels and I hate it. The kiddies are drawn to the colors and sounds and push it inward toward the baby. Maybe the 8 would work better because of its shape but it would take up a lot of space. Just giving a second opinion. I know they work for some.

Laurel

[TwinKristi]

Yeah I've never used it but it seems less like a baby jail and more like a fun place to play! Put some foam squares underneath and it seems great! But I could see big kids being temped by it. There would need to be a lot of redirecting at first I'm sure! Otherwise you could put the 4 two yr olds in there and the baby has free reign! LOL ::

[Margarete]

Yes I second the large play yard idea rather than a pack & play or something. They make ones with toys and stuff too, like this one. They also make a 6 panel one but for the price I would go 8. I had a SuperGate with 6 panels and it's easily pushed over and this one seems more stable. If I get any babies who aren't walking yet I will be getting one of these.

Baby Kids Playpen 8 Panel Play Center Safety Yard Pen
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V87MJQ/..._ZwRxtb1ZT7RYD

I have two of the 6 sets. I really like how versatile they are, and that I have enough to do whatever I want with them. Hooked all together is the most stable, but I've used portions to block off entrances too. I have wide entrances to play room and kitchen that don't make the gates as practical.

Older kids will be able to climb over these, but by the time they can, they can learn not to. I like that the height is low enough that I can step over it when I'm holding a baby, and not mess with the latch on the door.

[Naptime yet?]

I have one (and the older kids do call it baby jail), but I now use it outside to keep my crawler contained a bit. It was helpful for a short time inside, though, gave the baby a big more space to move when I had to make lunch in the other room.

[renodeb]

I use a play pen/yard for the babies until they are walking. None of the parents think that I'm caging them and it works great. I have mostly boys and they play rough!
Debbie

[rosieteddy]

I have the play zone from amazon.IT can be pushed a bit but it is a safe area for the two 15 months and younger kids.I call it the clubhouse and sometimes the older children are allowed to use it.I think it helps with pulling things off shelves and keeps babies from wrecking the older kids block play.I do allow the infants to have some time in the main area .

[Crazy8]

I sometimes have 2 under a year old and would love to use something like this but my room isn't that big.

Would love to see rooms where people use them (or something like them).