Bringing Stuff From Home?

[Guest]

I have a policy that states DO NOT BRING TOYS (STUFFED ANIMALS) FROM HOME OR BLANKETS/PILLOWS FROM HOME. I PROVIDE ALL BLANKETS/PILLOWS FOR NAP TIME & THEY WILL BE WASHED EACH FRIDAY. I'm sure you all understand where I'm coming from...I don't want things from other people's homes here b/c I'm terrified of bed bugs, lice, etc. Well, yesterday I had an interview w/ a lady that has 2 kids & I told her my policy & she said both her boys have "blankies" that they carry around & one of them carries 2 small stuffed animals around everywhere. She seemed upset that they couldn't bring them here. I don't know what to do...I need this income so badly & she's ready to sign the papers...do I tell her it's ok to bring that stuff? I REALLY don't want them to have it here but I can't afford to lose this family! How do I tell her nicely why I have the policy that I have without offending her? What kind of policy do you all have regarding things from home? Thanks!

[My Lil' Monkeys]

I have in my contract that they are not allowed to bring toys from home and if it gets brought in it gets left in there cubbies. I do allow napping items. I have a dck who's attached to their blankets (2 of them) and it's a comfort item which is allowed only at nap. Once awake the blankets go back in the cubby for pick up.

[Crazy8]

I also have the no toys from home policy but allow a special lovey/blankie for nap time. Its kept in their bag until nap time and put away right after. I have kids who are 100% attached to these items at home (and the parents are to blame more than the kids for their dependency) but the minute they come in my house they put it away and after nap they hand it right to me.

I would explain that it is for the safety of all children - reverse the situation as if it was another child, I often find that works. If you are comfortable with the idea, allow it just for nap time.

[Blackcat31]

This is what my contract says about items from home:

Please do not allow your child to bring toys or items from home. I have spent an enormous amount of time purchasing developmentally appropriate and educational toys/activities for the children in my care. When items are brought from home, it can cause undue stress and anxiety for a child. Any item brought into the child care home becomes my responsibility, so please make sure ALL toys/items from home remain in your vehicle so they do not pose an issue here.

For children who use blankets and lovies, you are encouraged to bring one and leave at child care. The blanket will be kept in the child's basket except at nap time. This eliminates any sanitary issues from being passed back and forth between home and child care. I will wash these items on regular basis. Children will not be able to carry around such items during our normal day as this causes safety, health and sharing issues. Thank you for recognizing our group needs.

HTH

[MaritimeMummy]

Bedbugs and lice on blankets and toys? Not to be rude but this stuff comes in on the people themselves just as much as an inanimate object.

[MsMe]

I also don't allow things from home.

I do allow a blanket from home to STAY here.

Many parents buy an identical one and leave it here.

[Heidi]

This is what my contract says about items from home:

Please do not allow your child to bring toys or items from home. I have spent an enormous amount of time purchasing developmentally appropriate and educational toys/activities for the children in my care. When items are brought from home, it can cause undue stress and anxiety for a child. Any item brought into the child care home becomes my responsibility, so please make sure ALL toys/items from home remain in your vehicle so they do not pose an issue here.

For children who use blankets and lovies, you are encouraged to bring one and leave at child care. The blanket will be kept in the child's basket except at nap time. This eliminates any sanitary issues from being passed back and forth between home and child care. I will wash these items on regular basis. Children will not be able to carry around such items during our normal day as this causes safety, health and sharing issues. Thank you for recognizing our group needs.

HTH

I jhave the same policy....

[cheerfuldom]

Have them find duplicates to leave at the daycare permanently. No extra stuff coming and going because then you will get frantic calls at 9pm when mom cant find special puppy and needs you to look for it so they can come by and get it.

I dont let kids carry around special items all day because it ALWAYS ends up in fighting and territorial behaviors. Items stay in the nap area for nap time use only. Same thing with binkies or any other comfort items.

[MarinaVanessa]

I don't have a policy against bringing things from home however they have to be age appropriate. I care for kids under the age of 5 so pretty much that means that no items with small parts that can fall off. I have a little girl that absolutely needs to have a Teddy but he doesn't have button eyes so I allow it but she isn't allowed to take it outside.

I suppose I don't bother with this rule anymore (I used to have it) because I got tired of having he same discussion over and over. I simply changed the policy and mentioned that I would no be responsible for damaged, lost or broken items. Usually the first time that a child brings something it gets missplaced and I just tell the parent that it'll probably turn up eventually. It usually only takes that one time before they stop bringing anything else anymore. I may go back to he no items from home policy though.

[cheerfuldom]

I don't have a policy against bringing things from home however they have to be age appropriate. I care for kids under the age of 5 so pretty much that means that no items with small parts that can fall off. I have a little girl that absolutely needs to have a Teddy but he doesn't have button eyes so I allow it but she isn't allowed to take it outside.

I suppose I don't bother with this rule anymore (I used to have it) because I got tired of having he same discussion over and over. I simply changed the policy and mentioned that I would no be responsible for damaged, lost or broken items. Usually the first time that a child brings something it gets missplaced and I just tell the parent that it'll probably turn up eventually. It usually only takes that one time before they stop bringing anything else anymore. I may go back to he no items from home policy though.

yeah that is how I was for awhile but a few parents got out of control...bringing up to a half dozen items every day. constantly complaining if stuff was missing, kid is crying at the door to get to their stuff before they leave, kid cant walk because they come in holding so many items, kid is crying because someone came to close to their item, parents want kids to have access to items at all times, parents calling after hours and on weekends looking for items, and on and on and on. I HAD to make a policy at certain point because it was getting ridiculous. The week I got strict with everyone, the problems at drop off, pickup, and during the day were gone. The kids didnt even care about the items once they were gone. I think parents get attached to this stuff way more than the kids.

[MizzCheryl]

Bedbugs and lice on blankets and toys? Not to be rude but this stuff comes in on the people themselves just as much as an inanimate object.

Dang that was a good point. I was just about to freak out as I have 2 that drag their blanket in everyday. I put them up and let them have them only at nap. Still kinda irritating

[MaritimeMummy]

Dang that was a good point. I was just about to freak out as I have 2 that drag their blanket in everyday. I put them up and let them have them only at nap. Still kinda irritating

Oh dude, it's super irritating, I know. every one of my DCKs brings a toy from home at least on a daily basis. Yeah sure, they're free to bring it, but the second that it drops out of their hands and is left abandoned, it's in their box until the end of the day. My frustration lies with frantically searching for said object at pick up time!

[MizzCheryl]

Oh dude, it's super irritating, I know. every one of my DCKs brings a toy from home at least on a daily basis. Yeah sure, they're free to bring it, but the second that it drops out of their hands and is left abandoned, it's in their box until the end of the day. My frustration lies with frantically searching for said object at pick up time!

Or let another kiddie touch "their" toy....... Scream fest!
I stick it up too. Sometimes they forget about it on top of my fridge. I have all kinds of cool toys up there.

[Daycarelady1979]

I realize that bed bugs & lice can be on the children themselves, but I feel I can lessen the problem (or perhaps help control it) if they're not dragging stuff back & forth. They may treat a child's head for lice but what if they forget the blanket & then they bring it to daycare? I have my own kids to think about & I do NOT have the extra $$ to treat my home for a bug infestation. I understand what you are saying about the children themselves, honestly I do...but I just want to take every precaution I can to keep my daycare environment safe & healthy. Thanks for everyone's input. I appreciate it.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I would allow it for naptime until they no longer need it I have a couple of kids that have had binks way past needing them, but I only allow them at naptime. I do not have a policy about no toys from home. When they become an issue I put them up for the day. I welcome a blanket from home etc. We just use it at naptime. If it comes in dirty, I wash it before naptime One of my boys had a lovey, parents gave me an "identical one" but it wasn't so lovey came with this kidlet every day to play with my lovey. I loved lovey.. my ds and I are warped and lovey had a british accent in our brain and we would give him words.. "oh no "C" hold me upright.. I think I might be turning green.. wait, I am a frog. frogs are suppose to be green. I must be fine." When he got older he waited in the window at home for C to come home and now he stays in his bed only... ahh good times, good times. I miss lovey.
I think that is why I like having kidlets in my home- you get all the little things in life with them. Each kidlet is different and I can be flexible. Some kidlets have stunk so bad I have needed to have a change of clothes here. When they got here I would change them and wash the other set. Some parents can never remember mittens sooo I have " extras". This job is half child care provider and half mom, sometimes mom for the mom! But, I know my kidlets know I love them. If that is changing them out of their pjs and doing their hair in the morning that is what it is! Poopie diapers, peeing on my floor, making messes, wahsing blakets or lovies, brushing the knotted doll hair... is all worth it for the smiles, the hugs, the I love you Mrs Steinel and the knowing that in some of these kidlets' lives... they knew that "someone" loved them and cared about them because unfortunately in our society today that is sometimes not their parents..
Ok I am off my soap box..