My son is starting daycare part-time shortly and we’ve found a home we really like. The parents are great, their two little girls (3 and 1) are sweet and the set-up of the playroom is awesome. There are lots of toys (educational and otherwise) and the walls have the alphabet, the days of the week, and the weather posted. It’s like a daycare in a home and it’s perfect. One problem. They have a small, above ground pool. It’s not up yet but I gather it’s about 8-10 ft in diameter with hard sides about 2-3 ft off the ground. There is no fence around it (other than the fence around the backyard proper).
The daycare provider has said that they will put up a small fence around it and “move the bigger toys in front of it to block access” but I’m still feeling uncomfortable about it. As a parent and former lifeguard, I know how easily things can go wrong. I really like the place but the more we think about it, the more this is becoming a deal breaker for us.
Aren’t there rules around having a second fence around a pool? I know that if we’re not happy with the fence that does go up around the pool, we can always pull him out of the daycare. I guess I’m just musing aloud because it’s easy to feel like a neurotic parent sometimes, especially when the other parent is more relaxed about it. Anyone out there have thoughts or experiences about kids and pools?
urg, no kids here but my parents recently put in a pool and i have heart atttacks all the time thinking about my dad (he can’t swim) and the fact that b/c he can’t swim, he has no water saftey smarts. like, i envision him cleaning the pool one day, falling in and voila….ok, a little neuortic too and he is 70, not 7 months. but i get this and i would be weary.
the rule about pools and fences is 600 mL of water depth must be fenced. i think this is city of toronto bylaw and might be different for york, durham, etc. good luck!
I think the pool would be a dealbreaker for me. But then again, I have some (possibly irrational) fears about kids and water. I’d say to go with your gut.
Every municipality has their own rules about pools and fences but the majority do state that a pool needs to be fenced seperate from the yard itself and have a locked gate entrance. Some even specify that if there are steps up to the pool they must be removed when not in use.
My parents had one in both Quebec and New York and in each place the pool had to have at least a 6 foot fence – now their pool was bit bigger,but I imagine it would be the same for all.
Definitely if she already has a 3 and a 1 year old, her attention is going to be divided at times. I found it really hard just monitoring the stairs and the doors here when I had a 3, 1, and 8 month old (with the 5 year old thrown in in the afternoons).
I do not like this idea of moving bigger toys in front to block access – that’s just an invitation to come closer and possibly use the toys to climb.
I’d call city hall to find out about the rules. Talk to them a bit more once you know. And then if you really think it’s a great place otherwise maybe offer to help if a bigger fence is needed by offering a weeks pay up front to help cover the expenses.
Otherwise it does sound really great and like a wonderful set-up, so I’d encourage you to work with them on the pool issue a little. It’s so hard to find good care (and to be a good care provider)
All good advice. It seems silly to put up a 6 ft. fence around a small pool but then again anyone can drown in an inch of water. Regardless, I think there needs to be a fence of some sort with a lock, no question, and we are happy to work with them on the matter. I’m sure I’m not the only parent who will take issue with this.
Always listen to your gut. You already have your answer – otherwise you wouldn’t have had a blog to write…
I have been around water all of my life, and now being a Mum to a 15-month old, I would find this a deal breaker as well. Once they are mobile, it doesn’t take them very long for them to be so much faster than you. Even with one child it is easy for your attention to be divided (on the phone, serving snack, etc.) and I would be wary of putting the toys to block access as well. This seems like it would actually draw attention to the pool?!
I would call city hall and find out what the rules are and then talk to the day-home providers if you like them otherwise. It may be that they just don’t know the rules. If you think it calls their judgment into question though, then go with your gut.
You never want to be in a position to say “I told you so” when it comes to the safety of your kid.