How strict are age limits for childcare?

[Amy8888]

I was looking at the Disney childcare options (like the kids' clubs) so DH and I could have a night alone when we're at Disney World in June. We have a 3 and a 4 year old, and it looks like all the on-site childcare options call for kids to be between 4 and 12. Would they allow the 3 year old (who is potty trained) to stay? I know I can go with Kids Night Out but I think they would have more fun at one of the on-site child care options. Thanks!

 

[**eeyore**]

Children must be at least 4 years old in order to stay. Unfortunately they will not allow your 3 year old to stay. You would have to either hire one of the private babysitting services to come to your room, or save an adult's night out for your next trip when your youngest is old enough for the kids clubs.

 

[DrMomof3]

We did kids nite out for our last trip and had a great experience. She took the kids (in their PJs) to the outdoor movie night at our hotel. They liked her and seemed to have fun!
I have 3 so the childcare at the resorts isn't really worth it. Plus, my youngest isn't even 2 yet!

Amanda

 

[Kaler131]

We also did Kids Nite Out years ago and thought it was great!! The sitter was so nice and she brought tons of stuff to keep the kids busy. They LOVED it!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The reason for the age limits is FL laws regarding the number of caregivers required for specific ages. Younger children require more caregivers. The 4-12 allows them to use fewer care givers.

 

[jkstewart1800]

How do they verify the child's age?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The kids' ages are on the reservations--they always ask the kids' ages.

We used Fairy Godmothers and loved it. Not cheap, but they were wonderful with the kids. One year, BIL/SIL used the kid's club while we used FG--their child was up till the wee hours and slept most of the following day. Our kids went to bed close to a regular time and were fine (no schlepping them back to the room and all).

 

[crisi]

How do they verify the child's age?

Even if they didn't know from your reservation (and they'll track you over time as well), if you did lie in order to put a three year old in the kids club and something were to happen, you'd not have a lot of legal recourse with Disney since you committed fraud to put your kid in the club. If you need Disney to pay for physical therapy because your kid shattered his arm in their club, you'd better not have lied about his age.

Moreover, if something happens to someone else's kid, you could be named in the suit. There child was hurt because the staff needed to pay more attention to your unqualified child. Because of the fraud, your insurance wouldn't cover you.

Its really never a great plan to commit fraud.

 

[daisyduck123]

How do they verify the child's age?

Ask just about any 3 or 4 year old how old they are...they'll tell you.

 

[Amy8888]

Thank you all for your feedback! I suspected it had to do with the legal requirements in caring for children of different ages. I also figured it probably wasn't worth it to try to pull a fast-one, since they do have his age from the reservation. Just thought I'd double check here before I commit to booking the in-room sitter. I am glad to hear it was such a great experience for those of you who used this before.

 

[AJRitz]

I feel your pain.
It's killing me that DS is going to be 3 years and 10 months old (and is already the size of a five-year-old now) when we're at Disney in eight months. I was thinking that my wife and I could have a last night at Disney dinner for just the two of us at Bluezoo -- it's expensive, but the two hours of free Club Dolphin for the kids would've made it at least feel more worthwhile. Then I realized that DS missed the cutoff age by two months. Back to the drawing board.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I feel your pain.
It's killing me that DS is going to be 3 years and 10 months old (and is already the size of a five-year-old now) when we're at Disney in eight months. I was thinking that my wife and I could have a last night at Disney dinner for just the two of us at Bluezoo -- it's expensive, but the two hours of free Club Dolphin for the kids would've made it at least feel more worthwhile. Then I realized that DS missed the cutoff age by two months. Back to the drawing board.

Fairygodmothers sitter service comes to your room and is alomst half the cost of the child care locations at the hotel.

 

[AJRitz]

Fairygodmothers sitter service comes to your room and is alomst half the cost of the child care locations at the hotel.

I'll look into it - but it's not free like the two hours of Dolphin Club with a bluezoo receipt.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I'll look into it - but it's not free like the two hours of Dolphin Club with a bluezoo receipt.

sorry ....... no.......

 

[MSSANDRA]

Ask just about any 3 or 4 year old how old they are...they'll tell you.

Yep, three year old DGS tells everyone he is 27!! His BD is Oct.27!

 

[chrisw127]

We really liked Kids Nite Out. When you factor in the cost of putting two kids into the childcare centers, it might come out less expensive. Plus, it's nice not to have to transport the kids back to your resort when they're tired; they're likely to be sound asleep when you get back.

Enjoy your night out at Disney!

 

[disneygourmet]

What about upper age limit? I have a 13 year old with mild delays who would be happy with activities geared toward younger children. I am thinking about leaving her younger sibling so that I can have a break, but thought that she might tire of WDW quicker than the older teens. Thanks.

 

[sarah-jane]

I understand the inclination to get your 3 year old through, as my daughter celebrates her 4th birthday at disney on May 22, and my husband and I wanted to get away Friday night (May 21) for dinner. However she's technically 3 until 3:14am on May 22. So, we're just going to have to wait until the last day of our trip to get away for a dinner - or get an in-room sitter but she's not very keen on staying in the room while we go do something without her.

 

[tspnmb]

opps.. posted in a response below..

 

[dunbarfamily]

I understand the inclination to get your 3 year old through, as my daughter celebrates her 4th birthday at disney on May 22, and my husband and I wanted to get away Friday night (May 21) for dinner. However she's technically 3 until 3:14am on May 22. So, we're just going to have to wait until the last day of our trip to get away for a dinner - or get an in-room sitter but she's not very keen on staying in the room while we go do something without her.

I'm sure they'd go by her birth DATE not birth TIME! Never once have I been asked what time they were born, just a birthday!!