What would you get if you were completely outfitting a nursery / daycare within an office? Assume 1-3 kids, starting as newborns but (hopefully) staying for a few years, and 1 caregiver.
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A sink with a decent amount of counter space for prepping bottles/lunches, a mini fridge, shelves for things you want out but not accessible to kids (crayons, paper, paint, etc), age appropriate toys, bookshelf, kidney shaped tables with low chairs...
Hope that helps!
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In addition to PP ideas: Cribs, some sort of changing table arrangement.
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I would try to have two separate rooms, one for quiet time/sleeping and the other for everything else.
A few low tables for activities and eating, a mini kitchen so the caretaker has everything right there and whatever age appropriate gear and toys. I would think you could just slowly build on those types of things as the kids get older and you have different needs. Sounds like an amazing opportunity if you can make it work!
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@Mrs. Coral: Normal cribs, pack and plays, something in between (foldable cribs?), some sort of daycare-specific cribs?
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@lamariniere: We don't have any flexibility in terms of the space itself- my amazing company is putting this into one big room that we have available. It has a small sink and is near a kitchen, and we can add a mini fridge, but we can't make it into two rooms or do any sort of structural changes.
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@MrsBananaGrabber: maybe some type of room divider then that could be closed when the LOs are napping?
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LOs first daycare partitioned off the room so babies could rest if they needed in one area and play in the other area
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@MrsBananaGrabber: You should have state guidelines as to what you need to offer as far as cribs and such. In my state they need to be wooden with a glass panels at the top and bottom. I'm sure there are differences in what a licensed and in-home daycare have to offer though, but I would still check your state guidelines to see if any rules apply to you. Besides counter space for bottles, a mini fridge (for bottles), crawl mat, bouncy chairs, boppies, a swing, grabby toys and toys that make sounds, a low bookshelf with baskets for toys and books, and a rocking chair.
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@lamariniere: We may do that eventually, if the need arises. It'll only be 1-3 babies, around the same age, at least to start, so there won't be older kids playing while younger kids nap. If there are more office babies down the line then there is certainly room to divide up the space.
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@auggiefrog: In our state, none of the state guidelines apply to this situation because it does not legally qualify as a child care center for which licensing is required. It's a free service for parents who work at the company, no pay deductions or any other cost involved, and at least one parent will be within a certain distance the majority of the time.
The state guidelines are still great for ideas though! Just because we don't have to comply doesn't mean we shouldn't follow the recommendations.
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I would do mini cribs or small regular cribs if you can find them. A 3-5 seater table (or high hairs, though the 4 seat plus tables are better for activities other than eating), floor mats, swing, excersaucer, rocking chair, and something for toy and book storage. Also, a buggy, if possible.
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@78h2o: The tables are cute! Any idea where you buy them?
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@MrsBananaGrabber: our daycare has cribs on wheels. In case of fire, they put 4 babies in one crib and push to exit.
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@Mrs. Coral: our daycare's cribs were on wheels too, which helped the babies who needed extra "rocking" or motion to get to sleep.
Id try to get:
Rocking chair/glider
Bottle warmer
Mirror on a wall on ground level to babies doing tummy time can see/interact with themselves in the mirror
Lots of different sized/texture toys and balls
CD player/iPod speakers and good music
Books!
Boppies (good for helping babies learn to sit up
Tons of bibs
Mini fridge for milk/food, with a freezer portion for teethers -
I was going to mention emergencies as well. Our wheeled cribs are for that purpose as well.
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@MamaG: We're on the 16th floor of an office building, so the wheels would only get them so far
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Omg this is amazing! What a great employer!
To add on to everyone
Rock n play, swing, bouncer, microwave because these babies will eventually start solids. Open cubbies for kids personal items. Probably a small desk for the caregivers personal items, to write daily reports, etc.
a mat by the door for parents to take off their shoes
A CD player or iPod dock for soothing music / sounds during nap time. -
@regberadaisy: I'm pretty excited about it
I'm not taking a very long maternity leave, but when I come back I'll have as flexible of a schedule as my line of work allows, and my baby will be right down the hall from me!Thank you for the good suggestions!
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Quick update- it's looking like it will be ONLY may baby in the day care (but my company is still doing it, and hiring a full-time caregiver), so that may change things a bit. Is there much of a difference in what you would get for 1 baby for an office day care as compared to what you'd get for your own house?
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