Locking Door Dilemma

[daycare]

We teach that no kids are allowed to open the door, and give consequences if they do. We also have childproof doorknob covers.

If you have that on the door, then how will kids get out of there, if there was a fire or such? What if something happens to you during that emergency and you can't help he kids open the floor? Everyone stays trapped inside ?

[Josiegirl]

If you have that on the door, then how will kids get out of there, if there was a fire or such? What if something happens to you during that emergency and you can't help he kids open the floor? Everyone stays trapped inside ?

That was exactly my concern. Chances are low, sure. But we need to think of every scenario. The Fire Dept. inspected the other day and I asked them if they had any suggestions and they didn't have any answers.

[LysesKids]

I have those alarms on all of my doors - they are great There is a chime sound and an alarm sound.

I also have a rug near the front door. NO ONE is to go on this rug unless they are with me or a parent. It has helped to set boundaries.

Oh believe me I had these alarms on all my old house doors and loved them ... now that the kiddies age out @ age 18 months I don't need them for the most part & I know when parents are coming because my doorbell sounds on the phone & in the hallway (Ring system)

[Baby Beluga]

Oh believe me I had these alarms on all my old house doors and loved them ... now that the kiddies age out @ age 18 months I don't need them for the most part & I know when parents are coming because my doorbell sounds on the phone & in the hallway (Ring system)

I SO want to purchase a ring system. I have an intercom through the doorbell where I can speak to whoever is outside and they can speak to me but it's old school technology and doesn't have the ability for me to see who is outside.

[Pestle]

See, there's problems with both approaches.

Door inaccessible. Potential for children to die horribly in a fire or other emergency: very slim. Consequences: Max horrible.

Door accessible. Potential for children to bolt out the door and into the neighborhood: very high. Consequences: Medium horrible.

[LysesKids]

I SO want to purchase a ring system. I have an intercom through the doorbell where I can speak to whoever is outside and they can speak to me but it's old school technology and doesn't have the ability for me to see who is outside.

They sell them @ Best buy & Lowe's so I took advantage of the 5% rewards on my BB card... I bought the extra chime too because my phone doesn't always sound depending on where I am in the house. My next investment is a camera for the back door . My families love the fact I know they are here before the gate on the deck opens

[daycarediva]

See, there's problems with both approaches.

Door inaccessible. Potential for children to die horribly in a fire or other emergency: very slim. Consequences: Max horrible.

Door accessible. Potential for children to bolt out the door and into the neighborhood: very high. Consequences: Medium horrible.

and if the door is inaccessible to the children, *I* would also have to be. Which would NOT happen. So....

Kids are taught (and re taught, thanks to parents) to NEVER touch the door. I have the alarms that everyone has mentioned, and it stays unlocked, per state guidelines.

[Pestle]

and if the door is inaccessible to the children, *I* would also have to be. Which would NOT happen. So....

Kids are taught (and re taught, thanks to parents) to NEVER touch the door. I have the alarms that everyone has mentioned, and it stays unlocked, per state guidelines.

So have you terminated care over this? Since tearing off at a frantic run is standard behavior for some kids with behavioral issues and a lack of parental reinforcement.

[Blackcat31]

So have you terminated care over this? Since tearing off at a frantic run is standard behavior for some kids with behavioral issues and a lack of parental reinforcement.

Absolutely!

ANY behavior that is a safety issue and is not rectified by the parent IMMEDIATELY would result in termination.

I have specific expectations for parents and they MUST abide by those expectations (controlling their child) and if they can't do that, then I am not the right fit for them.

I refuse to let a lack of parental action risk my livelihood.

ETA: In 2.5 decades of child care, I've had ONE child run off recklessly.... they were termed the next day when child attempted to re-enact the same behavior and parent did nothing.

[daycarediva]

So have you terminated care over this? Since tearing off at a frantic run is standard behavior for some kids with behavioral issues and a lack of parental reinforcement.

Nope, but only because I am STERN about safety rules. We don't have many rules (as a whole, as long as it doesn't hurt property or people) but I have almost an entire crew of kids who run the show at home. Limits are tested when parents are here, almost daily with some. It is a lot of kid reminders and TELLING parents what I expect.

My daycare entry also leads directly into a fenced, gated (with an auto latch) area.

[daycare]

my husband worked as a firefighter for many years and told me stories of how many time parents/ adults couldn't get to their child and the child would be trapped inside because they lock the doors or their windows.
Just food for thought. Not trying to start a debate.

[Josiegirl]

my husband worked as a firefighter for many years and told me stories of how many time parents/ adults couldn't get to their child and the child would be trapped inside because they lock the doors or their windows.
Just food for thought. Not trying to start a debate.

So....an alarm is the way to go?? Especially if one has untrained lil heathens like I do?

[daycare]

So....an alarm is the way to go?? Especially if one has untrained lil heathens like I do?

If your state requires it remain unlocked then I would get the door alarm. Trust me when I tell you. A child only needs to try and open it one time and they will never do it again. The sound is so loud is scares me.

In my state I also can not have a top lock. Only single locking door handle. It has to open in one motion. ..

[renodeb]

My house is designed so that I have a gate blocking the front door, the door is always unlocked during business hours. I can see out the front very well because my dc space faces the street.
Deb

[hwichlaz]

I lock the front door because most of the children I care for are too young to escape by themselves. The older kids, can unlock it. I have an evacuation crib that I put them all in together and push out the door in an emergency.