The older classes at US Kids are in a basement, and I was worried about that at first. But they keep the rooms very bright and lively, and the kids do go out regularly (or will now that it's cooling off). For fire drills they have an exit out an opposite side of the bldg they're in that does not require any stairs (for emergency use only).

If this place's name starts with R, it's where my son goes and we LOVE it! They spend tons of time outside and the rooms for the older kids do have windows (re: fire question - there are plenty of windowed rooms but not all of them have windows_.

OP here - thanks everyone. My child is 18 months old so can't yet tell me much about his likes and dislikes. I like this new place for every thing other than the lack of windows. So I was trying to gauge here what other parents think. Please share more info/experiences if you have.

We did not think it was a big deal until my DD was leaving. She was nervous about her new school so I was chatting with her. She asked if her new class room would have windows.... I answered of course! then she reminded me that her current classroom did not and she wanted windows so she thought she would like her new school. YIkes. for my younger daughter I moved her as soon as it became time to move to a windowless classroom.

We actually did not choose a day care for just this reason. The room my DD was going in to had windows, but the next room up did not. I wasn't okay with that.

How do they get out in the event of a fire and how does fire fighter get in. Don't say, "use the door(s)," because opening a door can be catastrophic in a fire. How does a windowless basement even pass fire inspection?

My son's daycare also does not have windows for the infant to three-year-old rooms. But yes, they go out at least twice a day. It does not seem to bother my son as they are so engaged in activities - versus looking out of windows (which can be distracting). And the ability to make the room dark helps at naptime. But go with your gut. If the place doesn't feel right to you, look elsewhere. GL!

I visited the JCC in Fairfax and noticed some of the rooms did not have windows and it actually really bothered me! I did not end up sending my kids there (but it was for other reasons). But the windowless-ness probably bothered me more than it did the kids!

Our daycare is in a basement without windows, and it's just fine. We visited another in a basement that felt dark and dungeony, but the one we ended up at is bright and cheerful even without windows. The kids do in fact go out once or twice a day, weather permitting, and if not, get a lot of exercise in the "Dance Room." Our daycare is a great place with loving and fun providers, and we're very happy there. If you're otherwise pleased with the daycare, I wouldn't make the windows a deal breaker.

I think its one factor to consider, among many. I wouldn't discount a place because of lack of light but would take it into consideration if there were other things I didn't love about it. If the teacher turnover was low, the place was clean and the kids seemed happy then I'd be ok with less light and trips outside. No daycare is perfect.

I am not sure what is right/wrong or essential/non-essential. I was looking to change daycare for my DS and went to tour one and it was located in business park kind of area. Most of the rooms do not have a window. I was told the kids go out twice a day, depending on weather. I am assuming rooms w/o windows are ok for the licensing authorities since the govt records for this place are actually good. They did not have anything non-compliance in the past few reports I checked.

So my question is do you think this as a good or bad place? I guess I am asking because the current daycare has huge windows in every room and daylight streams in at all times and I assumed that is the way it is everywhere. Thanks.