Is this a red flag or a violation?

[Anonymous]

I would find somewhere else. Personally, I would avoid home daycares.

[Anonymous]

I don't know the home daycare regulations, but in child development centers in DC and VA (I'm not familiar with MD regs), NO CHILD is ever allowed to be unattended in a room! Especially an infant. They must always be within sight and sound, and in DC TWO caregivers must be in the room with children even if there's only one child in the room.

In addition, infants are only allowed to be on street level; you cannot have infant rooms in a basement or upper floor because you must be able to roll the crib out the door in the event of a fire.

These regs are in place for good reason.

BTW, I've worked in the field for 15 years.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to the poster who suggested that I looked into the regulation:

D. Supervision of Resting Children.
(1) If a resting or napping child is younger than 2 years old, the provider or substitute shall:
(a) Remain within sight and sound of the child; and
(b) Observe the child at least every 15 minutes to determine that the child is safe, breathing normally, and
in no physical distress.
(2) If a resting or napping child is 2 years old or older, the child:
(a) May be on a different level of the home from the provider or substitute if:
(i) That level is approved by the office for child care use; and
(ii) The provider has informed the child's parent that the child is permitted to be on a different level of
the home; and
(b) Shall be observed by the provider or substitute to ensure the child’s safety and comfort at intervals
appropriate to the child's age and individual need.

She is indeed in violation.

[Anonymous]

Say nothing about the violation to her and report please. Inspectors often avoid going during nap time as it can be disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arghhh hate that my thread gets moved here.. don't typically get a lot of responses in this forum.

There is absolutely NO way she can hear the babies crying. She's in the basement with 6 toddlers and then there is the main floor, and the upstairs bedroom level. To the poster who asked if I watch my baby sleeping all the time.. no, I don't. But I am within earshot of her and I am in a house all by myself and so I am alert and is always paying attention. I don't even go to the basement to watch TV and leave him sleeping in the upstairs bedroom for fear of not hearing him even though I have a monitor. It's the SIDS that concerns me but then again, that's the reality of home daycare right? You have 2 people watching 8... it's just not an ideal situation in my opinion.

I know some would say well I clearly don't trust her and I shouldn't go to her. It's not that. It's really difficult to find a good provider and so far, we are fine with everything about her and I don't want to miss this potential provider. Argh this is so difficult

Why are you arrghing like a pirate? It's not difficult. Offer to get a monitor. They even have monitors that you can view on your cell phone, if the caregiver is comfortable with that. Don't push your luck.

[Anonymous]

I would also be concerned about other issues that can happen in a home, and you might detect with a monitor. What if there is a fire, as someone mentioned? What if someone breaks in the house and is in the room where the children are napping? I think about this second one all the time, especially when I am home alone with the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They definitely don't have to be in the same room with the infants - I don't know how anyone would get any sleep if that were the case! If it makes you nervous, why don't you just ask if you can buy a monitor and put it in the room?

My child went to a center and they were all in the same room, and my kid learned how to sleep even with distractions. I would not want my baby sleeping out of the earshot and sight of a caregiver. Big red flag for me, and I would question their judgement.