Is this a bad sign?

Absolutely, yes. Why is a rusty safety pin there in the first place. And the lack of accountability from the owner speaks volumes. I'm sorry, but an 'oh dear', isn't enough for me. A 'this isn't our usual practice, I can't understand why and how this is here, I'm going to have to look into this' is a little more relatable, but I'd still struggle to justify why a rusty old pin was lying around. I pay thousands each month for day care, and I'd have very serious questions if my daughter was exposed to something like that.

@Samantha thank you, I just needed to hear it from another mom 😮‍💨

As someone who worked at a daycare for 4 years, there is absolutely no reason for there to be a safety pin on the floor at anytime of the day. Staff should constantly be observing the surroundings to ensure safety.

I agree. Absolutely do not put your baby in that daycare.

@Giselle yeah the more I think about it the more it seems totally insane that it would happen. Like maybe a toddler had one in their pocket or something or it got tracked in on a shoe but either way.

I guess I wouldn't necessarily have an issue with it sure it'd a problem but it's not a huge issue or one that is like to occur on a regular basis. And it's a safety pin I would exactly say that's something requiring an investigation. And I would day at the end of the day it's even less concerning with pick up who knows how it got there. That being said if I were in that situation and I was feeling uncomfortable I would say it's my instincts red flagging. I toured a new day care. They were great, lots a freinds use them, better price, and some features were better then where we were but we didn't switch. My instincts just said it wasn't as good with out and really reason. Instinct matters

I think it depends where this is. Was it in the baby room? If so, that's not great. If it's in a room where older kids would usually be or a communal area then it's more understandable

Yep. Yep. Red flag. Seeing This post is perfect timing. I went to a montessori style preschool today. and was greeted with "i forgot you were coming," I could tell she was hesitant to let me come in. heat wasn't on, and it was even colder in the house than outside. Two children maybe four were only in long sleeve shirts. The owner? Full snow suite. Asked about it and she said she wasn't allowed to put it on yet because the landlord wouldn't let her. No. You put that heat on and keep these babies warm. Dirty diaper on the floor, everything was rundown looking even though it just opened.The nap area looked was a single bed with thin sheets under the stair case. I can go on, but it will turn into a rant. But, anyway, it was my first time looking at a preschool ever. And I was thinking maybe this is an off day.? No..as I thought about it more, my evolving mom gut kicked in. There is no way what I saw was acceptable. Take a red flag seriously. The end.

That would be a no for me. I think I would even tell the woman that’s the reason why I would not be enrolling my child in her childcare facility.

I believe it is a really bad sign they’re supposed to make sure there aren’t dangerous items around. I feel this is a red flag and a warning of what could’ve happened …

It’s not great no and yes incredibly dangerous but what if you put your child in another nursery and then you saw a safety pin on the floor 4mths in after they have settled - would you freak and pull them out? It’s not ideal but really come on it wasn’t a dead rat and could have literally been walked in my an adult. We have no outdoor shoes rule in our nursery and have to leave them on the rack. If that was the only negative then take a view, raise it with the manager before you sign up and hopefully you will get more comfortable with how the situation should be handled. @Sophie this comment is 100% a red flag and I wouldn’t send my child there. Sounds like a shambles!!!! Hope you find a good one. It’s 100% instinct in these situations - I viewed a very expensive top rated, 2 year waitlist nursery and I came away thinking it was like a prison, sterile and too much organised fun!! You get a vibe…

So it was on one of those colorful foam tile floor mat things, so definitely where the babies crawl around. I actually noticed it cause my baby was looking at it and crawling towards it. She did have us walking around the place with our shoes on and had shoes on herself which kinda grossed me out since babies crawl around all over the place, so it definitely could’ve just been stuck on a shoe. I agree it’s not like in insanely shocking thing but her lack of response gave be a funky feeling. Also she was pushy about doing a trial day the following day which just felt weird considering my baby has never met her and we don’t even know her and we haven’t left her side since she was born. Idk if I’m being a baby about it but it seems so bizarre to meet someone and then leave your baby with them the following day. Is that typical??

@Lula you have to leave them at some point - so there will always be a first day :) ours did an hour of me being there with them, then the best day an hour on their own, then it was built up over the course of a couple of weeks. I notice you are in US so might be different but alarm bells they have an immediate space. In the Uk waitlist are sometimes up to 12mths! Doesn’t sound like you are getting a good feeling - I would look at others. When you know you know :)

I think it was probably an honest mistake, it’s a private daycare with one staff member and it’s her home - I’m sure you can find hazards in your own home too. Maybe she was putting laundry away before you got there, maybe one of the daycare kids had it pinning their pants and it fell off. There are so many factors that need to be considered in situations like these. It’s a scary thought for sure but I do think that these are risks you take when you send your child to a private in home daycare considering the fact that people do in fact live in that space. If you felt good with her besides that, I would be inclined to give it a chance but if you’re feeling off for any other reasons, always trust your gut.

I think go with your gut! If it’s in the children’s area then that’s very weird and alarming. Go 100% with your gut. You are a mother and you know best for YOUR child. Do not ignore your gut feeling. My excoworker had her son in a daycare in the same building as a doctors office. She went to pick up her son and he had a huge lump on his head. When she asked about it, he went into the kitchen part of the daycare and a pot fell on his head. The did NOT take him to the doctors in the same building. He ended up in the emergency room for a few weeks. She had to quit her job and stay home with him. The point is this. Yes mistakes happen but this daycare had two red flags… children going in places they should be restricted, and not acting on an accident (they didn’t even call the parents when it happened. He could have died). I have a friend who is a director at daycares and she has quit MANY jobs bc they are not safe and they do not listen to her and she doesn’t want to lose her license.

I'm going to be honest as someone who used to work at a Ofsted rated outstanding nursery for years I won't ever be putting my child in nursery because there are just so many times things are just put on for show and I'd just worry too much - I always say follow your gut with situations xx