Almost 4 yr old in Kids Club??

[Suzanne74]

Please don't flame me - I don't really know so I am just asking. DH has a last minute business trip in Orlando and of course we have to go with him. DD will be 3 wks away from turning 4 and literally looks and acts like she is 5. People ask what grade she is in, LOL. She is 42 inches tall. Since she is an only child I know she would love the Kids Club over a babysitter one night. My question is - how would they know she is NOT 4 yrs old. It isn't like we would have a birth certificate and I don't even think they would question her age. If they did ask, would telling them she will be 4 in 3 wks make any difference??

 

[SueM in MN]

Day care situations are licensed for a certain age of children. Typically the staffing requirements also change accordiong to the age (ie, there is a certain staff to child ratio for infants, one ratio for thru age 3 and another ratio for older kids).
If they are licensed for 4 and over and get caught taking care of a younger child, the day care can lose their license. Even if they are licensed for younger kids, they can lose their license or be fined for caring for children with the wrong staff/child ratio for a child that age.

 

[PlutoPony]

When you call to make reservations they will ask you the age of your child - so at that point you'll have to decide whether to stretch the truth or not. Several people on the board have reported that they've called to ask about this and were told that 4 is an absolute age requirement (probably for the reasons mentioned above). It's also likely they'll ask your child how old they are when you check in - it was asked very conversationally (my son was 9+ so they weren't concerned about him not being an appropriate age) but noticed they did ask most children. So unless your child is prepared to say they're 4 you'd probably be busted at that point ! There have been many good reports on the in room sitters - Kids Night Out and Fairy Godmothers are the ones that come to mind. That would be the "safest" option for you this trip I suspect...
Have fun!

 

[Suzanne74]

Thanks - I think we are going to wait and not use a babysitter this time. Next planned trip we have, she will be able to do the Kids Club then. I just wonder why they are strict on age 4 when it is only 3 on the cruise. Oh well, the trip is so short, I don't even think we would want a night out anyway. I won't outright lie to anyone but I was just curious if they were flexible. We aren't even going to try it - she will have her fun in Sept when we go again and she is 4.

Thanks all

 

[Nicolepa]

Well the answer is insurance. They are insured for kids 4+. If your child is not 4 and gets hurt then not only would would Disney get in trouble for having your child there but you also would have less recourse since you'd lied about your childs age.

Also if they allowed a kid that was almost 4, then someone would want their 3.5 yo to be let in then their 3 yo. You always have to draw a line somewhere.

 

[vicb]

Thanks - I think we are going to wait and not use a babysitter this time. Next planned trip we have, she will be able to do the Kids Club then. I just wonder why they are strict on age 4 when it is only 3 on the cruise. Oh well, the trip is so short, I don't even think we would want a night out anyway. I won't outright lie to anyone but I was just curious if they were flexible. We aren't even going to try it - she will have her fun in Sept when we go again and she is 4.

Thanks all

Good for you... you are doing the right thing. So many people try to get around the rules. You are setting a good example for your daughter. I had a similar situation when my DS was 3 1/2 on our first trip and DD was 6 1/2 and desperately wanted to go to the Neverland Club. I knew DS would be sad if she went and he did not and in order for him to get in we would all have to lie! We waited and our next trip DS was old enough and went to the Sandcastle Club with DD.