No birds allowed in home while providing childcare...

[Riio]

So I went to a "class" last night about doing child care in my home, we are a military family and have to be certified through the state and the military. Well they (military) said that if you are to be a provider you are NOT allowed to have any birds in the "parrot family", this is due to their droppings and kids inhaling toxic things from them. I will not be allowed to have my bird even in a closed room of the house where no kids will be allowed, they even said not allowed on the property at all even the garage.
Has anyone heard anything like this before? I am so torn, I love my little bird so much, but would love to be a child care provider. I have never heard of anything like this before and would like to try and fight it, but I dont know if I will be fighting a loosing battle. I also would like to know about this because if it is so "dangerous" to have a bird in the home with children...do I need to give up my lil one to keep my 3yr old son "safe"?
Any help would be great! Thanks guys/gals!
~Bobbijo

 

[suebee]

it sounds like the *extreme action to avoid a law suit type thing, and no i have not heard this, in the UK, if you cared for children at home the only thing you couldn't do is smoke there

 

[Riio]

I agree that it is some sort of *extreme action. It makes me sad really, I can have dogs and cats (I personally only have dogs) with no problem, but not a teeny tiny lil bird!

 

[Remy]

That's ridiculous! If they do that for birds, they shouldn't allow cats either! Way more people are allergic to cats than dogs, plus they smell worse, and are full of germs!

Makes no sense to me!

 

[QuackQuack]

PLus how many dogs bite kids in the faces every year!?

 

[Bright Star]

Um, gonna say this just 'cause. If they say 'no birds,' then to **ll with them (self-censored)!

I wouldn't give up my birds, cats, fish, or anything for that.

 

[Lacey]

I think that it pushing it beyond the scope of realization! If that was the case, better not have children around vehicles due to pollution, and probably shouldn't take your child to the park or any public area just in case a bird or other animal may have urinated or deficated there at one point. That's foolish nonsense from individuals who don't understand something so automatically have the fear!

 

[BirdieNumNum]

That's just like their rule "you're not allowed to have pit bulls." REALLY?? I mean sure pit bulls can be RAISED to be aggressive but there are some sweet pitties out there. And how about rabies?? You're so much more likely to transmit rabies from a dog or cat or rodent. SO not fair. What if you have the birds in a separate room?

 

[Riio]

Thanks you guys! I was hoping that I was not the only one to think that this was totally absurd! I would really like to know where their mis-information is coming from! They inspect the homes at least once a month so Im not sure why the bird and cage wouldnt just fall under the same cleanliness stantards as everything else. I personally keep Rio's cage absoulutly clean at all times anyways, and I would be willing to put her in another room while kids were present, but nope...no go!

 

[BirdieNumNum]

Hmmmm maybe you could send Rio to a neighbor's house when they came to inspect! Then when they leave you could fetch him back. I'm sure they won't even notice because I doubt kids will really get sick from "poop fumes."

 

[suebee]

unless they class it as a wild bird poop issue from the days of bird flu??

prob some1 with a bird phobia that put that made that ruling, if not the persons jumpin at made for movies possibilities

 

[Pedro]

Parrots can & do carry certain viruses which they shed at times of stress. Psittacosis is one such disease that can be passed on to humans. Children can get very ill if they contract this from parrots.

They would have to consider the safety issues & lets face it not everyone likes parrots or any animals for that matter. Rules are rules & yes i know they some suck.

 

[QuackQuack]

I'm betting you aren't the type to have a dirty, unsanitary cage situation either...and with a cage in an off limits room the chances of psittacosis or similar are just not valid concerns. I'd be more concerned with my kid playing in a sandbox and getting worms LOL

 

[Steph2717]

If it were just the State of Ca you could get around it, but if you are on base and in the Military they have their own set of rules (as you know) and more strict than state.

I was first going to post that you could go unlicensed - but then I saw the military.

I taught pre-k in Costa Rica and my Sun was part my class for the 5 years I taught!. He shared snacks, had his own perch, was free in the classroom!! (no cage). If they had said I could not have him I would be doing accounting LOL.

Don't give your baby up! Things have an amazing way of working themselves out!

 

[Remy]

I totally forgot about the disease factor. Dogs and cats are much more likely to spread disease to humans! Somebody who makes the rules is quite misinformed.

 

[QuackQuack]

No kidding I know of a family who got WORMS from their dog...*GAG*

 

[Auggie's Dad]

You know whats *far* more likely to be able to spread diseases to kids than parrots, dogs, or cats? Other kids!

So perhaps they should have a rule saying you can't allow children in your home when you do child care! ;o)

But on the question of whether you should fight it ... The only organization that is worse about sticking to stupid rules just because they are rules than the government, is the military. If you fight, you will lose. Better of just moving on and finding something else to do.

 

[Nakiska]

Oh, how absurd! What is this society coming to?? I realize your situation is a bit different from mine (different state/military) but I was a licensed home daycare provider for 6 years while my kids were young and we had horses, dogs, cats, goats, fish and yes a cockatiel! (we still have all the pets except the goaties)

I was upfront with all families that I had these pets, and let them know if your child(ren) is allergic to any of them, then this may not be the daycare facility for you. I also let parents know that I encouraged a lot of outdoor play and art and that this isn't the daycare for fancy clothes and nice shoes.

During daycare hours our tiel stayed in his cage (for HIS safety), our horses and goats stayed in their pasture and sometimes the kids would help feed and fill the water tubs (from the other side of the fence), and pet their noses, our dogs never got tired of chasing balls and our cats got sooo much lovins that they didn't have time to hunt LOLOL!!. The only rule they had about pets back then (2000-2006) was no bully breed dogs...(rotties/pits) and if you had one, I believe it had to be kept in an approved kennel with a lock, such as if you had a swimming pool.

I never had a problem keeping my daycare full, and usually had a waiting list. Families loved the fact that we had all the pets and I was able to teach all the children about them.

I don't think I'd give up too easily, but I don't know the military either. Even still...I would think there's got to be a way...

I hope you get to keep your bird AND open your daycare. I absolutely LOVED it when I did it. I was a single Mom who got to be home with my 3 young kids and make a fairly decent income. The only reason I'm not doing it anymore, is as my kids all got into full time school I became a school bus driver so I could have their same school schedule. (summers/holidays off) Then 4 years ago we moved to a very small town, my timing was perfect as 2 of their 4 drivers left for retirement, which opened up a permanent route for me driving my own childrens school bus! LOLOL This year, I became the supervisor of our schools transportation department AND I still drive my own childrens bus route.

Good Luck to you...and well maybe you could run your bird over to a neighbors house in the morning before you open and pick him/her up after all the kids have gone home. Who needs to know???

Toni