Another FCCERS Question

[Josiegirl]

I assume the same with sharp knives in the kitchen? It all has to be behind locked cupboards? What a PITA.
What about stuff in your medicine cabinet, such as toothpaste, that can be harmful if too much is swallowed?

[kitykids3]

I have always been told that if it is not locked away, then it is considered accessible. The reasoning I was told was because a child could climb on something and reach them. Either way I was told no shaving cream or glitter allowed at all either. :-( I have everything like that locked away in hanging cupboards.

[MunchkinWrangler]

Same here, I have to keep all craft stuff behind locked doors. I installed the L locks on my closet doors and keep all my cleaning supplies and craft stuff except for paper and non-chemical or supplies that aren't considered a choking hazard, behind those doors. I even have to make sure I don't have toothpaste in my medicine cabinet in my bathroom.

The price we pay!

[Josiegirl]

Ok now what about this....I remember reading an article about a little boy inhaling cinnamon and dying, did anyone else see that? It was awhile back. But what about stuff like that? Should we be locking our food cupboards as well? If you look good and hard at every single thing we have in dc, each item could possibly be lethal. It all boils down to supervision!!!

[daycare]

Locked or not locked we can't have shaving cream in the art supply area. Oh and my husband measured the shaving cream is 9ft off the ground.

I talked to the accessor she said I can't have any items in the art cabinet/shelf that are not child safe. Anything in the art cabinet they will assume we use with the kids.

Anything the kids cant use she said shouldn't be in the art cabinet/shelf.

Back to rolling my eyes.

[sharlan]

I assume the same with sharp knives in the kitchen? It all has to be behind locked cupboards? What a PITA.
What about stuff in your medicine cabinet, such as toothpaste, that can be harmful if too much is swallowed?

Not allowed. Must be kept LOCKED up. My niece has to keep hers in her shower which has fridge locks on both sides.

[Annalee]

Not allowed. Must be kept LOCKED up. My niece has to keep hers in her shower which has fridge locks on both sides.

Toothpaste has to be locked here. I do have toothbrushes for the kids but we use water with our practice brushing for this reason. Crazy I know but it is what it is:confused:

[Unregistered]

Ok now what about this....I remember reading an article about a little boy inhaling cinnamon and dying, did anyone else see that? It was awhile back. But what about stuff like that? Should we be locking our food cupboards as well? If you look good and hard at every single thing we have in dc, each item could possibly be lethal. It all boils down to supervision!!!

we can't have any kind of spice, including salt and pepper accessible to kids.
Locked or 6 feet up in a cupboard.

[MunchkinWrangler]

All of my spices have to be at or above counter level and it also depends on how deep you counters are, I have pretty big counters so it's not a problem with me leaving my spices up there.

[daycare]

the longer this thread gets, the crazier it gets...

wow. I didn't realize how strict some LIC is.

[Unregistered]

shaving cream

I've been doing childcare for about 25 years now. While I have never used shaving cream as an art material, I can relate to the frustration of the FCCERS ratings. Here in Colorado, as part of the new Colorado Shines initiative, family daycare providers are now part of the "points" system whether we want to be or not. Less than 10% of the providers previously opted to be rated. I am exploring the option of attempting a higher rating. Some of my frustration is that many items in the FCCERS are easily accomplished and have naturally been a part of my operating philosophy. As to the locked cabinet specification: I was told by an informational preliminary visit that "out of reach" is fine with licensing, but not with the higher ratings. I feel that my home is safe and if I don't allow children to play on the counters (I don't let them in the kitchen unless there's supervision) what's the problem?

I guess if I am "dinged" for some things . . . let the bells toll!

I have a problem with feeling that we need to justify ourselves to some ratings book, not justify, but feel that the care we give children is substandard because our art supplies or other "toxic" substances are accessible to a 6 foot tall preschooler. Are we allowed to use knives when children are present? Can we disinfect diaper changing surfaces when children are present? My diaper changing surface is at counter height and the disinfectant needs to contact the surface for 10 minutes. Do we need to have a separate locked room for diaper changing? no, wait, then we can't have eyes on the other children.

My frustration is that many excellent care providers will either not opt to go through the process due to it's strict nature or that many will opt to pursue another line of work because they perceive that they won't have enough clients because parents will perceive that a level 2 is somehow "unsafe."

In Colorado, a level 1 to a level 2 is pretty easy. The level 2 to 3 is very time consuming and difficult. I think there needs to be something akin to a level 2.5! Where most of the components are achieved.

[Blackcat31]

Same here, I have to keep all craft stuff behind locked doors. I installed the L locks on my closet doors and keep all my cleaning supplies and craft stuff except for paper and non-chemical or supplies that aren't considered a choking hazard, behind those doors. I even have to make sure I don't have toothpaste in my medicine cabinet in my bathroom.

The price we pay!

That is not a a state regulation.
Might be your county but Parent Aware scores you higher if all arts and craft materials are out and available to the children at all times. Keeping them behind closed doors and available only when you say is not developmentally appropriate according to PA

[Unregistered]

Ok now what about this....I remember reading an article about a little boy inhaling cinnamon and dying, did anyone else see that? It was awhile back. But what about stuff like that? Should we be locking our food cupboards as well? If you look good and hard at every single thing we have in dc, each item could possibly be lethal. It all boils down to supervision!!!

our spices including salt and pepper have to be inaccessible.

[KiddieCahoots]

And a lot of licensed providers are going underground because......?
Not saying I condone that, but the standards for upholding a license, or one with valued merits is getting a little off base.

[Lil_Diddle]

I've considered licensing, but some of the rules here in MO are just absurd. I get by watching the 4 kids I'm allowed plus my son and my niece. I would love to make more but it's not worth the stress

And a lot of licensed providers are going underground because......?
Not saying I condone that, but the standards for upholding a license, or one with valued merits is getting a little off base.