Do You Allow Cell Phones?

[Crazy8]

But if they are at daycare under the supervision of an adult, who do they need to call in an emergency?

The provider will call if there is an emergency.

I am thinking more of the time before getting to the provider's home… many stories about kids getting dropped off at wrong street, or being left on the bus, or not being picked up at all, etc. etc. I just want them to have that phone in their bag just in case - its the reason they have one in the first place. And you just never know even at a daycare - if my power is out my house phone will not work. If something happened to the provider I would like my child to be able to go to their bag and grab a phone.

[Blackcat31]

I am thinking more of the time before getting to the provider's home… many stories about kids getting dropped off at wrong street, or being left on the bus, or not being picked up at all, etc. etc. I just want them to have that phone in their bag just in case - its the reason they have one in the first place. And you just never know even at a daycare - if my power is out my house phone will not work. If something happened to the provider I would like my child to be able to go to their bag and grab a phone.

Oh okay...gotcha! I can see the need for a cell in that case for sure!

I used to open at 6:00 a.m. I got to work one day and found a child sitting on the steps. She was SA but still....

Mom dropped her off early (before I opened) because she had a meeting AT 6:00. She wasn't even scheduled that day...

I addressed the issue with mom so it never happened again but still I could see how having a cell could have been beneficial in that instance.

What if I hadn't planned on opening that day or I had an accident or delay on my way in and didn't arrive shortly after?!

I don't take SA'ers anymore anyways but I still can see the point of having a cell if the child gets themselves to and from the daycare on their own.

[craftymissbeth]

IMHO, if a child is old enough to have a cell, then they're old enough to stay home for half an hour alone.

My 7 yo ds has a phone because he walks to and from school now. He calls me before and after school and we talk all the way until he gets to the house/school.

Even though I trust him to walk to and from school (it's 4 blocks straight to the school) I still have a hard time leaving him home alone. I'm not sure why.

[jenboo]

As the parent of a tween I would expect them to be allowed to have their phone with them - shut off in their backpack. Not allowed to be used at school or daycare or anywhere other than in the event of an emergency.

I dont see why this would be a problem...i was thinking more along the lines of having the phone out during daycare hours, going on the internet, playing games etc.
Maybe we need more clarity

[rebekki78]

I dont see why this would be a problem...i was thinking more along the lines of having the phone out during daycare hours, going on the internet, playing games etc.
Maybe we need more clarity

This was my thinking. Internet more specifically. I don't want to be put at blame for "so & so put this online while they were at your house". It's just not a battle I am willing to potentially get placed in the middle of.