Thoughts on a Balance Bike Daycare?

[Unregistered]

On my god finally someone who loves the strider bikes like I do.i love them just as much as the daycare kids.i recommend to everyone I know or see.i don't see them as any more dangerous than a regular ride on toy/bike.most of the parents have never seen them so I get lots of good comments about them and most of the parents end up buying them one for home to.our summer is triple digits so we ride inside also in a big carpeted room that's empty.we race the strider bikes twice a year every year it has just became a event the kids and parents love to attend ,pretty much all attend new kids and old kids.The kids love to race and get trophies,most have even got gas dirt bikes because of the love for the strider racing .I think it's the best bike compared to a trike

[Josiegirl]

You've gotten lots of great advice. I just want to add that I'm jealous of anyone with a riding path. My backyard isn't conducive to that kind of thing but I know the kids would love being able to ride bikes here.
As long as you have the track safely separated from toddling toddlers....

[Play Care]

You've already gotten a lot of great advice. Like others, I think the balance bikes are awesome, but I also don't think it would be the draw you would want it to be. Providers are supposed to get kids outside and make it fun/interesting. Honestly, unless you have some obsessed kids, bikes here are about a 25-30 minute activity. What else will you have?

Insurance wise, I don't see an issue, but my day care insurance seems a lot less strict than what other people have (they don't ask about my toys at all:confused: )

[Max]

most of the parents have never seen them so I get lots of good comments about them

I've had so many parents ask us about my son's strider because they've never seen one before!

Honestly, unless you have some obsessed kids, bikes here are about a 25-30 minute activity. What else will you have?

I think it will depend on the kid or group of kids, my son and other kiddos I know stay entertained by their balance bike for up to an hour. But even if they don't have interest for very long, either way I would have other things outdoors to do

[Max]

What about the winter time?

I was thinking of using water to turn the yard into an ice rink type of deal. Probably put some chains on the tires and swap the summer shoes for the ice ones (the ones with the metal spikes on the bottom for gripping the ice).



Or just have them stride when their isn't snow/ice/mud on the ground, or move indoors. Unfortunately winter puts a limit on a lot of things!

[midaycare]

I was thinking of using water to turn the yard into an ice rink type of deal. Probably put some chains on the tires and swap the summer shoes for the ice ones (the ones with the metal spikes on the bottom for gripping the ice).



Or just have them stride when their isn't snow/ice/mud on the ground, or move indoors. Unfortunately winter puts a limit on a lot of things!

I just saw you're from Eagan! I lived there for a year. Beautiful area. :hug:

[Max]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts!

I think my original post may have been misleading... Balance bikes are definitely not a scary thing... . BC's link takes you right to a pic of one. The gloves are for sure more of a 'cool' factor Waivers wouldn't be needed b/c 1. Like BC mentioned, they don't protect you and 2. I don't think any providers use them for kids to play on ride on toys.

[Max]

I just saw you're from Eagan! I lived there for a year. Beautiful area. :hug:

I love it here! We lucked out in finding a home with a little bit of land

[Max]

In MN it's Parent Aware
http://parentaware.org/

Ah, ok. I'm familiar with Parent Aware.

OP, do a search on here sometime for QRIS. Interesting reading.

Definitely going to read up on this here

[Blackcat31]

Just to clear up the confusion:

Strider bike:



Motorbike:



OP is talking about the first picture. A child's bicycle with no pedals. NOT a bicycle with a motor.

[Blackcat31]

I was thinking of using water to turn the yard into an ice rink type of deal. Probably put some chains on the tires and swap the summer shoes for the ice ones (the ones with the metal spikes on the bottom for gripping the ice).



Or just have them stride when their isn't snow/ice/mud on the ground, or move indoors. Unfortunately winter puts a limit on a lot of things!

You might have some issues with ice and the metal spikes when it comes to licensing. MN pretty laid back and not nearly as picky as some states but I think even they draw the line at metal spiked shoes.

[Max]

You might have some issues with ice and the metal spikes when it comes to licensing. MN pretty laid back and not nearly as picky as some states but I think even they draw the line at metal spiked shoes.

Darn.. But but.. if they sign a waiver...???

::::::

[MarinaVanessa]

We love balance bikes too and have two as a part of our outside riding toy collection. Definitely a kid-favorite here too and parents love them (a lot of parents of younger ones end up getting one for their kids after seeing ours) but I personally wouldn't build my business around that theme. You could possibly advertise as being a daycare based on building confidence and independence and have the bikes and track be a part of that but I think you'd have to build on that like offer more outdoor time (don't forget waivers for sunscreen), an outdoor classroom (when weather permits), a large play structure, an obstacle course of some sort etc. This of course could be a part of a bigger program that can include art (instead of crafts), some sort of learning, an environment that's arranged for independence (materials easy to get without an adult's help) etc. just some more ideas to add on top of what has already been said.

As far as the ice thing go ... I really hate raining on someone's parade because I can hear your excitement and optimism in your words ... but ... although it sounds like a great idea as a concept if you have kids young enough that can ride a balance bike then they're probably not going to be very well-coordinated to be able to navigate on an icy frozen surface. I foresee a lot of slipping and sliding by some of the kids in the 3-5 age range and I don't feel like it would be safe at all for the 2 year olds and younger kids. I doubt shoes with spikes will be approved by licensing, chains maybe but all I can think about is someone falling and crying and possibly getting hurt (even if not seriously) and at that point I just think of the track as a hassle.

Logistically you're going to need bigger liability coverage. Yes you can get a parent to agree to allow their child to participate and warn them of the risks but that only saves you on some things that are more common. For example a fall from an age-appropriate playground structure. Playground structures are pretty common and if a child was to fall and break an arm and you were supervising but just couldn't prevent it in time then you'll be fine but a dirt pathway purposely frozen in the wintertime is not common at all and IMO just asking for a lawsuit. You'll definitely want to call your liability insurance carrier and ask if they'll cover the dirt pathway and of course an purposely frozen iced pathway. You should also call your homeowners insurance to ask about a "hypothetical" situation (don't give them your name, you don't want ti to strike against you) about having childcare in your home with a dirt pathway (don't use the word "track" because it really does sound cautious even if I know what you mean and it's not dangerous at all) and about the frozen thing. I've heard of homeowner's insurance agencies dropping child care providers for much less than that so just be careful.

[LittleScholars]

Logistically you're going to need bigger liability coverage. Yes you can get a parent to agree to allow their child to participate and warn them of the risks but that only saves you on some things that are more common. For example a fall from an age-appropriate playground structure. Playground structures are pretty common and if a child was to fall and break an arm and you were supervising but just couldn't prevent it in time then you'll be fine but a dirt pathway purposely frozen in the wintertime is not common at all and IMO just asking for a lawsuit. You'll definitely want to call your liability insurance carrier and ask if they'll cover the dirt pathway and of course an purposely frozen iced pathway. You should also call your homeowners insurance to ask about a "hypothetical" situation (don't give them your name, you don't want ti to strike against you) about having childcare in your home with a dirt pathway (don't use the word "track" because it really does sound cautious even if I know what you mean and it's not dangerous at all) and about the frozen thing. I've heard of homeowner's insurance agencies dropping child care providers for much less than that so just be careful.

I just wanted to add that in my area only TWO companies will cover home daycares at all. All other homeowner's insurance companies will not cover you with a daycare, and if you don't disclose it your insurance is voided. These companies also require you to have additional liability insurance (which is a great idea anyway). I've never made a claim and I live in a newer home in a safe area, and it is still pretty pricey. So, I have to tread very lightly when making choices about outdoor activities because if I lost coverage or if my premium increased, it could ruin my business. I won't even get a full wooden play structure at this time. It is worth thinking about how much flexibility you would have if something were to happen and rates were to be raised.

[Max]

I doubt shoes with spikes will be approved by licensing

but a dirt pathway purposely frozen in the wintertime is not common at all and IMO just asking for a lawsuit.

I was totally kidding about all of that. sorry, I thought I had made it sound over the top ridiculous

I would NEVER (and this isn't sarcasm) actually have an iced over yard or ice shoes in a DC setting!!