Babysitting Services

mojo9492

Earning My Ears
Joined
Aug 28, 2005
Messages
11
Hi All
I just read a post in another section about parents taking advantage of kids clubs and babysitting services (kids night out or something like that ). I don't think I would be comfortable bringing in an outside babysitter even if approved by Disney but are any kids clubs open to every child? My daughter is 5 and not potty trained so I'm assuming she wouldn't be able to go. I figured why not ask if anyone has experience with this.

Thanks!
 
It is my understanding that the WDW onsite kids clubs do have a requirement that the children be potty trained. I don't know if they could make an exception for a special needs child; maybe if you are having dinner at the same resort and therefore would be close enough to call if needed. The child must otherwise be able to participate in a group environment without direct 1:1 assistance.

Enjoy your vacation!
 

I just did a quick thread search, and there are good reviews of Kids Night Out. You can pick an age range for the sitter, and you can cancel up til 48 hrs before. Of course you have to do what you are comfortable with, but maybe if you thoroughly investigate them, it will make you feel better. And you could always get a nanny cam or something! Anyway, I hope it works out for you and you have a wonderful vacation! :)
 
. . . I don't think I would be comfortable bringing in an outside babysitter even if approved by Disney but are any kids clubs open to every child? . . .


Why do you perceive a difference between approved room sitters and the sitting clubs?
 
I have used Kids Night Out on many occasions and could not recommend them more. Their sitters were always prompt, courteous, brought activities with them, and my kids loved them. Only thing I would caution about is they "don't do water," meaning no swimming of any kind or baths, which once I thought about it I decided it was a fantastic rule for a sitting service that specializes in "one offs" on a hotel setting to have. If I remember correctly, the last time we used them (I have 3 kids) it actually worked out as being cheaper than the Kid's Club at the Swolphin which charges you for each chile by the hour as opposed to one hourly rate. And another plus is if you are going to be out late, at the very least the kids will be in bed by the time you get back and possibly even asleep.

And yes, as many posters have already said, kids do have to be potty trained, but that does not mean they will get kicked out if they have an accident or something like that.
 
Why do you perceive a difference between approved room sitters and the sitting clubs?

Probably the concept of one-on-one behind closed doors. I can see how some parents might not be comfortable with a solo unknown adult alone in a hotel with their child, regardless of recommendations. Some parents feel comfortable with the "safety in numbers" concept of a group setting, multiple adults and multiple children, less likelihood of a one-on-one scenario.

I'm not saying that's right or wrong, we all make decisions regarding our children based on our own comfort level.


As to the potty-trained issue -- I would think that as long as the child meets all other qualifications to participate at the club, wears a pull-up, and the parents are willing to be nearby and return at regular intervals, that is a reasonable accommodation within ADA requirements and the child should not be denied access. I believe this question has come up before so I'll see if I can search through some older threads.
 
Probably the concept of one-on-one behind closed doors. I can see how some parents might not be comfortable with a solo unknown adult alone in a hotel with their child, regardless of recommendations. Some parents feel comfortable with the "safety in numbers" concept of a group setting, multiple adults and multiple children, less likelihood of a one-on-one scenario.

I'm not saying that's right or wrong, we all make decisions regarding our children based on our own comfort level.


As to the potty-trained issue -- I would think that as long as the child meets all other qualifications to participate at the club, wears a pull-up, and the parents are willing to be nearby and return at regular intervals, that is a reasonable accommodation within ADA requirements and the child should not be denied access. I believe this question has come up before so I'll see if I can search through some older threads.

It has come up and the answer is no they do not have to take nonpotty trained children. Its a health and safety issue.
 
It has come up and the answer is no they do not have to take nonpotty trained children. Its a health and safety issue.

Interesting...DCL used to be hard-and-fast in their "must be potty-trained" rule, but in the past couple of years have relaxed that to include children whose only barrier to access is the need to wear a pull-up. The staff still will not assist in any way with toileting, but as long as the child wears a pull-up and the parents agree to return within a specified period of time to assist, the child is allowed in the Club. Maybe that's considered different because it's a daily activity rather than the babysitting clubs at WDW which are more likely one-time (per trip). But I'd think it could be challenged.

I have found several posts asking about potty-trained and the WDW kids clubs, but nobody who returned from vacation and posted it was allowed. I'll keep looking.
 
Interesting...DCL used to be hard-and-fast in their "must be potty-trained" rule, but in the past couple of years have relaxed that to include children whose only barrier to access is the need to wear a pull-up. The staff still will not assist in any way with toileting, but as long as the child wears a pull-up and the parents agree to return within a specified period of time to assist, the child is allowed in the Club. Maybe that's considered different because it's a daily activity rather than the babysitting clubs at WDW which are more likely one-time (per trip). But I'd think it could be challenged. I have found several posts asking about potty-trained and the WDW kids clubs, but nobody who returned from vacation and posted it was allowed. I'll keep looking.

Probably easier to impart when parents are easily found on a cruise ship. Even if a parent swears up and down they're just a phone call away, I could see it being easier to become unavailable or taking an impromptu trip to the parks.

Probably falls under the 'changing a fundamental practice' part of ADA. (Total brain fart on actual wording!)
 
Just had a thought: would you be more comfortable with respite care? I bet you could find something down there through your insurance company, and if not, I did just see on passporters (did quick internet search) that Kids' does have special needs sitters. Hope this helps! Good luck!! :banana:
 
Thank you everyone for your input, insight and for doing the research for me. I love the disboards!! I wanted to reply to the person that asked what is the difference between the hotel room and the kids club but I wasn't sure how to reply to their question. But yes someone answered exactly what my feelings are. I would be scared to leave someone in a closed hotel room with my kids (my 5 year old is non verbal) and I would think there is more supervision at the kids clubs. But I will do research and see what other parents are saying. I'm not 100% against it. I will do research on it. I'm not sure my hubby and I will have time to go to dinner by ourselves but we always go around our Anniversary and it would be nice.

Thank you everyone!! I do hope they allow my daughter to go to the kids clubs. I can understand the health issues but I would never go too far due to her issues anyway.
 
If it helps you any to hear of good experiences, all four of the times we have used Kid's night out our kids have loved it! My daughter was actually asking about it in advance and the night in the room with the sitter was a highlight of our last trip for her. While our kids liked the kid's club, it wasn't a "please please please let us do it again" the way the sitter in the room always is. They come with a suitcase of toys too.
 
. . . I would think that as long as the child meets all other qualifications to participate at the club, wears a pull-up, and the parents are willing to be nearby and return at regular intervals . . .


1) ADA has nothing to do with potty training, as far as I know.
2) Rules-is-rules, and being potty trained is one of them.
3) One is free not to use the service if one disagrees.
4) There is a legal number of sitters-per-child in Florida, and WDW meets this.
5) To tend to a non-trained kiddie would take away time from other care - even forgetting about other health/safety issues.
6) As far as pull-ups, what parent wants another kid with soiled pants around their child?
7) And, as for returning at intervals, what happens if they do not show up (do you throw the kid out)?

NOTE: Frequently, parents come to my desk complaining the club will not take
their non-trained kiddie, and I just refer them to a manager who repeats the
policy(ies) of the clubs.
 
This thread seems to be confusing typically-developing children who are not yet potty-trained, with parents of a special needs child dealing with toileting challenges. There is a big difference. I think the term "potty-trained" is what derails this conversation. I agree there are many pre-schoolers who are not fully potty-trained, and rules are in place for that reason.

However, when directly related to a disability, the more appropriate term is "incontinence." And yes, if the incontinence is a direct result of a disability, then it is appropriate to offer a reasonable accommodation. And yes, because it is disability-related, the ADA does apply -- and it applies to child care settings whether formally licensed as a "daycare" or not. If incontinence is the ONLY barrier to a child's participation in the program, as long as the accommodation does not interfere with the regular safe operation of the facility, and does not require staff to perform duties not available to the non-disabled, the accommodation must be considered.

A properly-fitting pull-up on a child (or adult) with continence issues will not be any more noticeable or impactful to others than a typical pair of underpants on those of us who get ourselves to the restroom and care for our own toileting needs. Use of a pull-up along with a requirement for parents to remain onsite and return at pre-determined intervals, results in no impact to staff duties and responsibilities or the safe operation of the facility and safety of other participants. It is my understanding that while proof cannot be required to determine disability, proof of the parents' responsibility towards the accommodation can be required (for example, proof of an ADR and cell phone number where they can be reached).

When mentioning "potty-trained" people seem to immediately think of dripping wet accidents and stinky messy diaper blow-outs. A special needs child with continence issues, who is wearing a properly fitting pull-up that is changed at appropriate intervals, is no more likely to present any of those health-hazard issues than a fully potty-trained child. I cannot fathom a parent of a special needs child with continence issues who would intentionally allow that child to sit around in a soiled pull-up for hours while they disappear for an evening at a theme park. Such parents are well aware of how frequently their child requires a pull-up change, as well as the unpleasant consequences of not changing it regularly, and are not likely to allow that to happen. Such parents likely would be more than happy to make their evening plans to stay within the resort for dinner and return to attend to the child's needs every couple of hours.

I have not used the various child care clubs at WDW resorts, though I do have experience with this issue in a general child care setting. The WDW programs are not exempt from discrimination laws. If they are truly excluding a child solely on a disability-related factor that can be reasonably accommodated, they are opening themselves up to a legal challenge. I'm going to guess that hasn't happened yet, it doesn't mean they are in the right to deny access or a reasonable accommodation.
 
I suppose we could expect that Disney has already thought if this issue? Personally, I don't see how they could allow a disabled child leeway with the understanding parents won't be far off but not to a typical child - disability or not.

ADA evens the playing field - but they aren't accepting the child because of their disability. ANY child is declined. There are limits. I would think since something like this would change tier normal operating procedures it would fall under that exclusion. The alternative is to use the one on one sitter which, personally, seems to meet the accommodation requirement. Not preferring it wouldn't really matter at that point.

I suppose OP could email the disabilities group but I would be leery about any answer received that isn't with the facility itself.
 
I don't know about Florida, but some states have regulations that licensed childcare providers can't leave a child in a dirty diaper. They are required to change a diaper once they are aware it has been soiled. So the proposed accommodation of letting the parent know when the child needs changed goes against regulations.
 
This thread seems to be confusing typically-developing children who are not yet potty-trained, with parents of a special needs child dealing with toileting challenges. There is a big difference. I think the term "potty-trained" is what derails this conversation. I agree there are many pre-schoolers who are not fully potty-trained, and rules are in place for that reason.

However, when directly related to a disability, the more appropriate term is "incontinence." And yes, if the incontinence is a direct result of a disability, then it is appropriate to offer a reasonable accommodation. And yes, because it is disability-related, the ADA does apply -- and it applies to child care settings whether formally licensed as a "daycare" or not. If incontinence is the ONLY barrier to a child's participation in the program, as long as the accommodation does not interfere with the regular safe operation of the facility, and does not require staff to perform duties not available to the non-disabled, the accommodation must be considered.

A properly-fitting pull-up on a child (or adult) with continence issues will not be any more noticeable or impactful to others than a typical pair of underpants on those of us who get ourselves to the restroom and care for our own toileting needs. Use of a pull-up along with a requirement for parents to remain onsite and return at pre-determined intervals, results in no impact to staff duties and responsibilities or the safe operation of the facility and safety of other participants. It is my understanding that while proof cannot be required to determine disability, proof of the parents' responsibility towards the accommodation can be required (for example, proof of an ADR and cell phone number where they can be reached).

When mentioning "potty-trained" people seem to immediately think of dripping wet accidents and stinky messy diaper blow-outs. A special needs child with continence issues, who is wearing a properly fitting pull-up that is changed at appropriate intervals, is no more likely to present any of those health-hazard issues than a fully potty-trained child. I cannot fathom a parent of a special needs child with continence issues who would intentionally allow that child to sit around in a soiled pull-up for hours while they disappear for an evening at a theme park. Such parents are well aware of how frequently their child requires a pull-up change, as well as the unpleasant consequences of not changing it regularly, and are not likely to allow that to happen. Such parents likely would be more than happy to make their evening plans to stay within the resort for dinner and return to attend to the child's needs every couple of hours.

I have not used the various child care clubs at WDW resorts, though I do have experience with this issue in a general child care setting. The WDW programs are not exempt from discrimination laws. If they are truly excluding a child solely on a disability-related factor that can be reasonably accommodated, they are opening themselves up to a legal challenge. I'm going to guess that hasn't happened yet, it doesn't mean they are in the right to deny access or a reasonable accommodation.

I have a disabled child who was delayed in toilet training due to her disability and was told NO in no uncertain terms that they would accept her into the kids clubs.

From Wrights law (which is a pretty well regarded site about ADA and other disability laws and children)


Q: We do not normally diaper children of any age who are not toilet trained. Do we still have to help older children who need diapering or
toileting assistance due to a disability?
A: It depends. To determine when it is a reasonable modification to provide diapering for an older child who needs diapering because of a disa
bility and a center does not normally provide diapering, the center should consider factors including, but not limited to, (1) whether other
non-disabled children are young enough to need intermittent toileting assistance when, for instance, they have accidents; (2) whether providing toileting assistance or diapering on a regular basis would require a child care provider to leave other children unattended; and (3) whether the center would have to purchase diapering tables or other equipment. If the program
never provides toileting assistance to any child,however, then such a pe
rsonal service would not be required for a child with a disability. Please keep in mind that even in these circumstances, the child could not be excluded from the program because he or she was not toilet trained if
the center can make other arrangements, such as having a parent or personal assistant come and do the diapering.

Given the type of service provided by the kids clubs the center may not be able to make arrangements because it would take parents too long to get to the child in need of assistance.
 




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