Daycares and Sandboxes??

I have one in my in-home childcare. I keep it covered and tied down with bungie cords when not in use and I make sure to pound out their shoes before they go inside and wipe down their hands and clothes. We line up and wash hands and faces when we come inside. I havn't had any issues with it. They have a blast in it!

I think it's a good idea (fun way to play for the kids) assuming it is kept closed when not in use and make sure that smaller kids are not putting the sand in their mouth (you are a provider, so I know you will be aware of this), just a concern for me when I got one for my daughter because I wasn't sure she was old enough to understand that she doesn't eat it!

Our kids daycare has one, they love it. We also have them at the park down the street.

They keep it totally covered and off limits during the winter, raining or not. They just uncovered it a couple of weeks ago. They keep it very clean and the kids are required to wash their hands immediately when they get back inside. The first thing they do when they get there for the day is wash their hands too. I haven't seen illnesses run rampant at this daycare because of the awareness of clean hands.

I think you should get one, it gives them opportunities to explore. Kids will find dirt one way or another. If you're not sure, let the parents know you are thinking of doing this and that you would like their feedback good or bad.

We had a 24'X 30' space dug up and lined then sand brought in for my child care center, the kids loved it. They had their climbing equipment in that area and we kept the fall zone clear of toys, they had buckets, shovels, everything possible, and we just had to make sure we checked it for cat pooh, and things that can blow in like trash before letting the kids go outside. Sand is easy to get off and vacuum up, the kids just have to make sure they take off their shoes and shake the sand out before entering the building.

I had several staff and could spare the time for one of them to walk the playground before hand each time. If you are alone then the only way I would do it is with a tight fitting cover that won't blow off.

The kids are required to go outside every day according to my state reg's. But we don't go outside if it's below 50 or stormy. An option you might want to consider is a type of sensory box. We had one a LaPetite when I worked there. It was a large wooden box on wheels and it had a good sturdy cover. The kids could sit in their chairs and play with it sitting. It had pasta, rice, beans, measuring cups, cars, etc...so many different things. The kids got to experience many textures and they would just sit and play for hours if allowed.

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Just an idea, for St. Patricks Day I had a largish tub (almost big enough to hold a 5-10 gallon fish tank)and I filled it with green Easter grass, the paper kind not that clingy nylon/plastic stuff, I hid lots of little things in it like hot wheels, blocks, I had a list beside the box on the wall and the kids each got a turn to find the items, the items went back in after the child was done and I stirred it back up so they were all around inside it. When it got to be St.Patricks Day I put candy coins in it too along with the other items and let the kids keep a coin when they found it. I bought them at the Dollar Tree or Dollar Store, where everythings a dollar or less.

From my experience at home a sand table would be better. It is easier to protect from cats or any other animal who thinks it has a dual purpose.

My son's daycare had a sand table and the kids had fun with it.

And of course the kids would drag less sand inside.

Most of the bigger Daycare do not have them ,it is not recomended.The sand gets in the kids pants,diapers,etc.They have sand tables that work just as good,and the kids love them the same.They really love to play in the sand.There are half sand,half water tables,that is fun,we used to fill the whole thing w/water,and put them in plastic smocks so they didn't get wet,then rotate it outw/sand after a bit.