Should a mom/pop run daycare be allowed to have swimming pools?

Question

On occassion I see a home with a swimming pool hang out a sign for daycare services.

Maybe I am being unfair, but it looks to me like the people are wanting to supplement their income and child safety is a secondary concern. I think residental daycares should not have swimming pools. What do you think?

Answer 1

I am a licensed child care provider who has provided child care in my home for 20 years. Child care is my business and it is my profession. It no more "supplements" our family income than any other 2 wage-earner household does. Whether or not I have a swimming pool at my home has nothing to do with the level of care I provide or the attention to safety I give to the children I am privileged to care for. Each state sets their own rules and regulations for child care facilities. Where I live, in Michigan, it is not forbidden for me to have a swimming pool at my home. There are rules concerning appropriate barriers for pools and rules for appropriate use of water by daycare children. Despite the fact I often have daycare children at my home for 12 hours a day, it is still home to me and my family. If my family decides to put in a pool at our home, it is within our right to do so. I disagree that Child Care Homes should not be allowed to have swimming pools. Provided appropriate barriers are erected (which are usually required by most home owner's insurance policies) and appropriate supervision is provided (IF daycare children even use the pool), I believe a Child Care Home and a swimming pool are fine on the same property.

Answer 2

I think as long as they have safety beepers and sensors around the doors going out and the pool itself I see no problem with a pool. The thing you have to do is get the pool sensors they have to put around the pool. The other thing you have purchase one of the pool tie dies that can support alot of weight. The other thing you can do is put door dingers for when certain doors are open. The other thing is if you have pool go swimming but make parents purchase and bring their child's safety jacket. If they forget you may have one they can borrow and make sure every child stays in shallow end. The other thing is have parents stay later one night a week and teach swim lessons as long as you are certified. I know now that most children at a young age should be able to swim the length of the pool by age four or five. I think if you have a pool you should have to have to pay extra attention to the children since that is your income.

Answer 3

No, no , and no again. There is too much risk involved in having a pool for it to be compatible with a daycare. Even for people who don't have ANY young children in the home, and even if the pool is gated and covered, there is risk of a pool accident, though usually within a family that risk is acceptable. But for a daycare? I know of at least two local instances of children drowning because they were briefly unattended and got into the pool.
I would be surprised if a "mom and pop" daycare could find an insurance company who would underwrite them with a pool. And even mom and pop daycares should be bonded and insured.

Answer 4

I think that they can have a swimming pool as long as they have a good system of gating and childproofing. Responsible parents should inquire about a pool if one is present and know how thier children are kept safe before leaving thier children in anyones care. All day cares are inspected by state safety inspectors. These inspectors are generally very through.

Answer 5

I think that if they are fenced in and the parents are aware of it and ok with it then it is ok. As long as there is not a bunch of kids and only one person caring for them (which I know after so many kids you have to have a helper) and they can keep an eye on the children and know they are safe. But I would not leave my kid with someone I did not know and trust so I would not have to worry about it.

Answer 6

If the people are really responsible and watch those children very well, I think it could be a good thing. Maybe even teach the children how to swim!

Answer 7

Absolutely not, even if they have a fence and a security alarm. Children can get around those things and tragedies can happen. A safe environment is a non-negotiable for a daycare center.

Answer 8

I agree mate. With small children, especially, unless their supervised 100%, which I'm sure no day care centre can afford to do, due to having to take on extra staff $$$$$$$$ Afterall! It only takes one minute for anyone who's not watching their child, and that one minute could mean heart ache for that child's family for the rest of their lives, no way near worth it! cheers.

Answer 9

As long as it is properly and professionally fenced off, it shouldn't be a problem. A friend of mine had their built-in pool fenced off with a beautiful, TALL, wrought iron fence. I don't care HOW curious toddlers are . . . and I had a couple that were "aggresively curious" . . . NO toddler is able to scale a 6' fence. My kids were safe!!!

Answer 10

DEFINITELY NOT,TODDLERS TEND TO WANDER OFF,YOU HAVE ENOUGH WATCHING YOUR OWN IKNOW I DID,I LOVE BEING A MOTHER,BUT DAYCARE TAKES A LOT OF PATIENT AND CARE,I THINK IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A POOL AT A DAYCARE CENTER. [SHARLOTTE67]