Suggestions for My Changing Table Plz

[Core12]

Currently I place the children down on the floor for their diaper changes. Recently, I bought a beautiful changing table from a garage sale and now I have realized that my children who are almost two are just going to throw everything out of the storage area below it for fun, so I probably won't be able to utilize that space. Also, I think it's going to be difficult to lift the kids (30lbs) up so high and over the bar area when they are not wanting me to change their diaper.
Do u guys use a changing table for these types of situations? I would like to become licensed and believe I have to have one.

[TheMisplacedMidwestMom]

I have one with cloth drawers and have had the same issue in the past. Though I'm not licensed so don't have to worry about that, I just started keeping things like extra towels or sheets in the drawers they could reach. Basically things that are big and not fun to drag out. This also gave me a chance to redirect while they were getting into and eventually everybody knows not to get in there. Honestly it's probably much easier to keep them empty or if possible lock them. I think our licensing here reads something like "children must be able to use most things they reach on a regular basis", I think drawers would be included in this if they are able to open it.

No advice on the lifting, I'm on the tall side so it would actually be more effort for me to change them on the floor.

[Pestle]

I bring all children who can stand into the bathroom and change them standing up in there, walking them through the process of getting clean. (We practice Montessori-style toilet learning.)

For the babies, I have a 19th-century table in the corner of the play room, right by the bathroom door. (I can't figure out WHAT it was intended for; it's lower than a work bench but too big and rough for a curio table.) It's very deep, so I have the changing pad turned 90 degrees, with the kids heads pointed away from me; I like it that way, since the kids can't roll toward the edge. I keep the diapering supplies there, too, out of reach. It has storage beneath, but hard for the kids to access, so I keep off-cycled toys in there.

So far it's a perfect solution, and you can't have it.

[midaycare]

It's easier for me to change them on the floor. I have a great 3 inch yoga mat with a covering that can be unzipped and washed daily. It's soft on my joints and I have joint issues.

[e.j.]

My changing table is in a corner of my day care room. I have plastic bins on the shelves underneath for extra diapers and clothing. From the time they start to walk, I tell them the diapering area isn't a play area and it does seem to stick with them; they rarely bother them. If I have a little one who is persistent about going over there, I put a barrier across it for a few days and it seems to stop it. (I have a folding play yard that I can fold into a V shape. When I put it in front of the changing table area, it's pretty effective at keeping the kids away from the bins.)

Not sure what to tell you about lifting kids up who don't want to be changed. Not sure if it will help you but when I have kids that fight me, I tell them, "You can walk over to the changing table like a big boy/girl or I can carry you like a baby. What do you want to do?" Once they make the decision to behave like a big kid, the fight tends to go out of them. I guess worst case...if a child is giving you a hard time and you can't lift him, you could always just change that child on the floor like you're doing now.

[Blackcat31]

I change kids on the floor as well. I use a wipeable surface mat.

I don't think you should ever use a space that children can access to store anything they aren't normally allowed to use/play with.

Diapers and diapering supplies should never be within reach of kids.

I'd fill the space with toys and items that you can easily reach to use as a distraction for kids while being changed.

If the kids get into them when not being changed, its safe and no big deal.

[midaycare]

I change kids on the floor as well. I use a wipeable surface mat.

I don't think you should ever use a space that children can access to store anything they aren't normally allowed to use/play with.

Diapers and diapering supplies should never be within reach of kids.

I'd fill the space with toys and items that you can easily reach to use as a distraction for kids while being changed.

If the kids get into them when not being changed, its safe and no big deal.

That's a great idea! lovethis

[Josiegirl]

I use a wipe-able mat, store it and all the diapers/cream/etc. on top of the cubbies. It's all out of reach and I just grab what I need to go to where I need to go. Sometimes I change the tots on the couch or floor and I change the baby right in her crib.
I've tried using changing tables twice in all my years of caring for kids. If they weren't dragging everything off the shelves, they were trying to climb up. Last changing table I bought is where I now store the nap time blankets/pillows.

[Ariana]

I change kids on the floor as well. I use a wipeable surface mat.

I don't think you should ever use a space that children can access to store anything they aren't normally allowed to use/play with.

Diapers and diapering supplies should never be within reach of kids.

I'd fill the space with toys and items that you can easily reach to use as a distraction for kids while being changed.

If the kids get into them when not being changed, its safe and no big deal.

All of this!

I had a change table for about 6 months but it was just too difficult to get bigger kids up there. I never had an issue with kids pulling things off the shelves though because I made them clean it up whenever they did it, hand over hand....which they hated

[daycarediva]

I change kids on the floor as well. I use a wipeable surface mat.

I don't think you should ever use a space that children can access to store anything they aren't normally allowed to use/play with.

Diapers and diapering supplies should never be within reach of kids.

I'd fill the space with toys and items that you can easily reach to use as a distraction for kids while being changed.

If the kids get into them when not being changed, its safe and no big deal.

Floor. I hate changing tables. I am licensed and it's not required to have a table, just a mat that I can clean.

[Meeko]

This is my changing area. This is an old picture, but it's basically the same. We now have a kitchen countertop in place of the table. Wipes down so easy.

The shelves holding diapers are actually cd shelves. Shallow, but just wide enough for diapers.. The green drawers underneath hold wipes. (Parents all bring a refill pack on the first of each month and I work through them as I don't want 8 wipes containers on the counter!) The tan can holds extra emergency clothing.