Is it normal for a daycare to keep crawlers in a playpen most of the day?

jade_window_935018 May 2026

Our daughter has been crawling for a few weeks and is very pleased with herself. At daycare pickup she was in the playpen both times this week, with three other babies, and the attendant said they're 'safer there'. I get it. The room has older toddlers too, and there are only so many hands. But I'd like her on the floor for at least part of the day. For anyone with a baby in daycare: how much floor time does yours get, and did you ask for more?

2 comments

amber_pebble_849118 May 2026
Ours is in a baby room with a mat area separated from the toddlers by a low gate, so the crawlers get the floor and the walkers stay out. It might be worth asking whether something like that is possible in your room. If you just ask for more floor time in general, they will agree and nothing will change. I would also ask how long a usual stretch in the playpen is. 'Most of the day' and 'while we're feeding someone' are very different answers.
sage_fern_56318 May 2026
Ours was in daycare as a baby, years ago. Playpen when staff were busy, floor otherwise. Ask if you can drop in at a random time once and see.
- citrus_window_837119 May 2026
  A random visit tells you about one day. Ask for numbers instead: how many babies, how many staff in that room at a time. If it's one adult for six crawlers, the playpen is the answer and asking nicely won't change it.