For Those Of You With Home Daycare

[Josiegirl]

How 'into your stuff' do dcks get? I mean, the olderish dcks...do they help themselves to what's in drawers, cupboards, anywhere or anything? Or do you expect them to ask you all the time? Is it a home to them or are they visitors? KWIM?
It seems like even when my own kids were little, they'd ask for something. I've got a dck getting into my stuff without asking, doing it on the sly. It's nothing dangerous, just irritating I guess.
So, all in all, how comfortable do you allow dcks to become and how far do you allow them to go?
Just curious. Thanks.

[Gemma]

I keep kids 0 to 5yr and my rule is: if it's meant for kids (toy, book etc.), and you can reach it, without climbing, then you can have it without asking!

I do not allow the kids, to get toys for other kids, that way they don't throw toys at the babies

[KSDC]

My kids are taught to stay out of drawers and cupboards. The toys are all in the play room on shelves or in bins that they have access to. But, I don't want my munchkins getting things out from "my" storage spots. Anything dangerous is behind a child safety lock, of course. But, I don't want the kids getting into anything that isn't open to daycare.

[Indoorvoice]

I don't really have anything I don't want them to have access to in their reach. I have the daycare in my living room, dining room, kitchen, and a playroom downstairs. So pretty much anything within their reach is fair game or else it is locked up. I do not allow the kids in my kitchen except to get their own plates and silverware to set the table and to throw away their trash.

[spedmommy4]

My rule is, if it's in the playroom, you can get it without asking. Outside of the playroom, the kids need to ask. I also printed up a few small stop signs and placed them on the doors. My son's room is right off the playroom and my daughter's room is right off the 2nd nap area and kids would try to go in. I spent some time teaching that stop was off limits and haven't had problems since.

[CraftyMom]

I also allow them to touch anything in the playroom that is within reach.

The rest of the house they do not touch things. Aside from the playroom they really only go in the living room, but they have to walk through other rooms to get there.

I've only had an issue with one child that was very "at home" and he was only 2. He was always poking around and opening the fridge. I didn't like that at all.

[AuntTami]

Mine are mostly allowed to touch anything. I have a few pieces of expensive baby gear that they're not allowed to touch because they're too rough with it And I don't want them to get into a habit of olaying with it and then accidentally hurt a baby.

As far as drawers and cupboards, I've never had a problem with snooping or anything like that. They all ask if they want something from the fridge or a snack. They ask what's in the drawers but they're told its my stuff and it's not for them and that they need to stay out of it. I've only had one push the boundaries but one day of redirecting and showing him what was in the drawer (nothing fun and nothing for him) cured that issue

[mommiebookworm]

I also allow them to touch anything in the playroom that is within reach.

The rest of the house they do not touch things. Aside from the playroom they really only go in the living room, but they have to walk through other rooms to get there.

I've only had an issue with one child that was very "at home" and he was only 2. He was always poking around and opening the fridge. I didn't like that at all.

Craftymom, how did you deal with the fridge? I have a two year old boy who will open the fridge and try to climb inside.

[childcaremom]

My rule is, if it's in the playroom, you can get it without asking. Outside of the playroom, the kids need to ask.

This is my rule, as well.

The downstairs is a dedicated daycare area. Anything out is accessible to them on purpose. So in other words, I have items out that I have decided ahead of time are ok for full access. I have certain art supplies that are available at all times.

Upstairs is shared space btwn home and daycare. I try to create a yes environment as much as possible, so do have locks on certain cupboards and will remove certain things during the daycare week. I have 'daycare' shelves that would have items that they can access whenever they want and other shelves that they would need to ask permission to have access to. This would include my fully stocked art shelves and playdough.

[CraftyMom]

Craftymom, how did you deal with the fridge? I have a two year old boy who will open the fridge and try to climb inside.

I ended up getting a fridge lock. It's a strap with a latch, comes in a pack of 2. I used one for the fridge and one for the oven (just in case

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Safety-1st-Multi-Purpose-Appliance-Locks-2-count/20684300

[Josiegirl]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'm finding the younger ones to not be the problem so much as SA dcks who tend to be sneaky.

Well, I do have a 20 mo who likes to touch all the stuff on my shelves in my bedroom. Unfortunately the bathroom was made in between 2 bedrooms. Really dumb house design but it is what it is.

I just get sick of having to box my own personal stuff away from probing hands and sneaky kids. Some of these kids don't respect limits, no matter how much it's drilled into their heads.

[Gemma]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'm finding the younger ones to not be the problem so much as SA dcks who tend to be sneaky.

.

That's why I no longer keep SA...and that's too bad cause I miss the conversations, and the type of games and crafts we used to do

[Crazy8]

my daycare is 99% in my playroom only. kids do not have free roam of my kitchen or the rest of my house. My crew is also 4 and under and its a rarity for me to even have a 4 year old (he will leave this summer) so that probably helps to keep them from getting into my own stuff.

[Unregistered]

Oh gosh, NEVER!