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Official: Lift ban on child care in casinos
Justin M. Bowen / File photo
A view of the Las Vegas Strip.
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 | 2 a.m.
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MGM Mirage lost a $5 million convention recently.
No one blamed President Barack Obama’s remarks about frivolous travel for scaring off the desperately needed business. Rather, it appears county ordinances were to blame.
The large health convention, Cardinal Health’s Retail Business Conference, chose Denver over Las Vegas for its annual gathering next year because Clark County doesn’t allow casinos to provide temporary child care.
A growing number of conventions cater to attendees who bring their families and want child care close by, according to state Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas. Many casinos have large, permanent child-care facilities with indoor playgrounds, but these facilities are typically located on casino floors, far from convention halls.
Kirkpatrick worked during the legislative session to clarify a state regulation allowing temporary child care in Nevada casinos. But because Clark County hasn’t yet changed its ordinance to match the new state regulation, casinos are still unable to offer child care near convention floors, Kirkpatrick said.
Chris Giunchigliani
Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said she is pushing to get the county ordinance amended as quickly as possible. She has asked county staff to put the matter on Tuesday’s County Commission agenda.
“It’s not unusual for us to be as progressive as possible when it comes to competition, so why weren’t we jumping at this to change it?” Giunchigliani said.
The effort, however, has been complicated by the county’s recent decision to transfer child care licensing responsibilities to the state Division of Child and Family Services. To save $500,000 annually, the county gave the state notice of the transfer in September, following in the footsteps of Las Vegas, which turned over child care licensing to the state this year.
Though the transfer won’t occur for a year, the county will begin the transition by ceasing to accept new child care license applications in four months.
Some county officials wonder whether Clark County should create an ordinance that would require a new program for casino child-care licensing when the state will assume those responsibilities in just 11 months.
Also in the mix are the state’s preparations for the transfer, which Health and Human Services spokesman Ben Kieckhefer said is “going to take a toll” on its licensing operations.
“We’ve been told some 800 conventions in six months pass through the county and though not all of those would require child-care facilities, for those that do there’s a lot of legwork involved in licensing, on-site safety inspections, investigating every complaint,” he said.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said it is “critical” for the county to resolve the issue. Jeremy Handel, the authority’s public relations manager, said the authority has been working with resorts on the matter for two years. Without the flexibility offered by a change in the county ordinance, “it translates to lost business and jobs.”
Yvette Monet, a spokeswoman for MGM Mirage, also stressed the importance of making the change.
“While we completely understand the pressure on state and local budgets, the inability of government to respond to the needs of our guests costs local businesses and government millions of dollars in revenues and taxes,” she said. “Las Vegas becomes less competitive for major pieces of convention business when we cannot provide these services.”
Cardinal Health is one convention that took its business elsewhere. The estimated loss to the local economy from its move to Denver in 2010 is more than $5 million.
Tara Schumacher, spokeswoman for Cardinal Health, said many people who attend its conventions “bring their entire families,” so child-care services to them are “a really important component of our site selection.”
Giunchigliani said her frustration with the delay in changing the county ordinance has grown as she has learned of conventions that were lost amid the recession.
“I’ve heard (the county) doesn’t want to do it now because it’s not our business; it’s the state’s,” Giunchigliani said. “We should be doing it because it’s the right policy, whether it’s our business or not.
“If something like this brings us even one more convention, then it’s worth it.”
Discussion: 52 comments so far…
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The First thing I wonder is... MGM-Mirage lost a $5million dollar deal for a convention? How can you loose something that was not guarenteed in the first place. My next point is, are we going full circle with allowing kids to be back in vegas? ARE YOU CRAZY ! Las Vegas is not a place for kids. This is a mecca for drugs, sex, drinking, cheating on your partner, prostitution,strip clubs ect.. We tried it 20 years ago and it didn't work . Is corp. greed changing the rules? let the kiddies come to vegas, go to the game rooms (almost gone) in the casinos, let them go to wet and wild water park GONE).. While mommy and daddy gamble, chase the whores around, and see shows like zoomanity, or maybe a toppless show or a topless pool while they are here. I think that we are on to a great idea Re-inventing THAT wheel again. We didn't learn the first time soooo , lets do it again for the sake of corp. revenue.
What about offering a fair shake on the slots by loosening them up, no more 6/5 black jack, cheaper quality buffets, ect, make it the place for ALL adults to enjoy ( not the rich, who are not coming here anyway)
Do we ever learn, or are we too good to take advice because we dont need your imput just your money !
Just a thought... in common sense.
Remember Wet N Wild, that was a place to just drop off kids while parents had fun. Damn right, get them to have casinos to have massive childcare bins for kids. Let the kids wander the place all buck stupid so the adults could do business of gamble while at the topless pool. Just think of it, more income for the casinos when they have someone's brat to take care of. Not like they have that in Branson. You want the ordinary adult to travel here, just have them place their kids in something of a Disneyland without Child Molester's asking them for their My Space page.
The Strip can't have it both ways.
"What Happens Here Stays Here" isn't exactly the mantra parents want to hear.
The Strip dumped child friendly activities in the late eighties-remember when we were advertised as a child friendly resort town?
We decided to opt for sin city.
We didn't lost the conventions because we lacked child care.
We lose THOSE conventions because we made it very clear children were not welcome to "Happen Here".
How 'bout this: Parents should stick to parenting and take 18 years off from gambling.
I don't see any proposals to provide child care on site for the workers?
Something is a mis hear. There is child care available at the Orleans. There is an amusement park at Circus Circus.
What this is about is MGM doesn't have these things and THEY don't want to compete with these other Casinos
SO lets just change the law to benefit MGM.
If we really wanted to make for more we would get rid of the anti sex worker laws.
It goes on anyway, the laws are just stupid and waste of tax money.
Use the savings on getting rid of anti sex worker law enforcement to fund temporary child care facilities.
Then there would be more day care jobs.
Children do not belong in the casino's. Period. If the parents need to gamble their money away that bad, hire a sitter, or drop them off at a relatives place. Period.
Child care for workers would be a huge help for employees But because it makes so much sense it will not be done until after the American Revolution part 2.
Remember the 90s? "Disneyland with gaming"? You couldn't turn around in a casino without tripping over a stroller! Worked out real well, didn't it? If casinos are going to provide day care, let them do so for their employees first!
Even parents with children want to come to Las Vegas. How much can it cost to make day care available?
Can't the parents drop their kids off into the LOVING ARMS of the Nevada Child Protective Services?
What the crooks (MGM) want, they get, period end of story.
So much for an all adult destination. Yes bring the kids, maybe they could install high chairs at the craps tables.
No reason not to get them exposed early to drugs and prostitution. Heck this is Vegas!!!
I'm sure Ms.Giunchigliani and her associates will find a way to quickly accomodate the MGM. She has an extensive history as a legislator; a community college executive; and a member of a prominent group of community advocates, apparatchniks, and wheeler-dealers. She will find a way.
Perhaps her next task on behalf of the community will be getting street lights coordinated so that we don't have to sit and waste gas for two minutes while waiting for lights to change. Or something else, anything else, that might benefit the average citizen.
the article is about creating temp childcare next to the convention halls, so attendees can drop of their kids while at the convention, not to drop off kids while the parents gamble. some casinos already have childcare for guests, why are you people making such a big deal about this.
Why not lift the ban on kids in the casinos?
I am sure they could add to the bottom line by using their allowances to feed the slots.
One of the reasons I love Las Vegas is because I'm not tripping over little kids all the time. The strip is hard enough to navigate without incentivizing it to become an even bigger "stroller derby". If you have children and still feel the need to gamble, do us all a favor and hire a baby sitter-at home.
Ms.Giunchigliani needs the casino's money for her re-election campaign. Here, voters vote for the candidate with the most visibility.
that would be stupid for casinos to start with child care for employees when they are losing money and laying people off. why would a smart business add extra costs like this --- to lay extra people off???
that said, I would NEVER leave my children in a casino day care
You all missed the point EXCEPT for KORNKID42. Its about the convention area. I am involved in the show inductry and I can tell you my clients first questions are - is there a place to put the kids while we are at the convention? It isn't "where can I dump the kids to go gamble)..for a city that prides itself about service, we're missing the boat on this...just think, the parents leave the convention floor - which is away from the casino floor, and instead of going back to a different hotel, they'll probably eat while they are there, BEFORE they leave!! Can someone say "Profit" ? get with it !
Vegas is losing business each month because of this child care ban - it needs to be lifted. The issue at hand is not about the casinos offering child care services; lifting of the ban entails allowing outside childcare companies into convention centers, which are ATTACHED to casinos. When meetings such as Cardinal Health book a convention, one of their largest draws to bring their attendees is Camp Cardinal Health. The meeting is held in July when kids are out of school and the pharmacists bring their families. Camp Cardinal Health takes the kids off-site (out of the casinos) to visit local hot spots such as the Hoover Dam, Adventuredome, Springs Preserve, etc. Vegas has a lot to offer young kids, once you get them out of the casinos.
No one wants to see more children in the casinos however I would like to see more PEOPLE at the tables - solidifying more convention business is a surefire way to aid in this.
What it seems like by reading these comments is that people don't understand what the county is looking at.You already have child care services is some casinos.What they are looking to do is establish a law that would allow temporary child care facilities.Meaning that they would have a child care facility open closer to the covention room and only would be in operation at the conventions request.This child care would not be in the gaming area as I understand in the article.I do not see a problem with this.I see the availability to service all ranges of conventions that would like to come to Las Vegas.I see this a positive to having this service.Wow!!The convention goers would have a place for their children and be able to go to shows and dinners.They spend more money more money and visitors means more jobs.Go figure we people complain about the unemployeement rate and wonder when the economy may start to move towards a positive incline here in Vegas but at the same time when the casinos attempt to help start the change needed,people complain at their ideas. Way to go!!! I recently moved to this great city and I could not believe their was nothing for kids in this town(amusement park,water park,anything)nothing for kids hmmmm.Vegas is a world Icon for travel and has absolutly nothing for kids oh yes Adventure Dome at Circus Circus and around Holloween a few Haunted Houses come on.This town needs to do whatever it can to bring tourists to this city.Gaming and Shows is all this town has and was built on Gaming.Everyone who lives here is effected by its ability to bring tourists here.Give me a break guys Think! Think! Think!What would be good for Vegas ???
I think it's a slippery slope. Maybe they're claiming that it's just for the convention attendees right now, but I think that will lead to having something available for general casino customers. Again, we've tried this in the past and it didn't work out so well. If we really think that having child care services would have prevented this recession, then we're friggin crazy. (I know that's not exactly what people are saying). The reality is that people are much more conservative with their discretionary spending, and the private casinos need to adapt. We don't need to relax the laws, which I think would have a minimal impact. LVCVA decided to move forward with the "What happens here, stays here" approach, which obviously worked for that time, but now they're getting slammed because people aren't wasting money like they used to and businesses are less interested in Vegas because it's not viewed as a place where business gets done, at least to the general public (shareholders). LVCVA extended the contract with the same marketing firm that came up with that slogan, so they have nobody to blame but themselves. And, as voters, we can blame ourselves for voting for Goodman, who really pushed to extend that contract.
I just think this is smoke and mirrors and a way to make people think that the state is DOING something to help business, when the reality is that we're just dealing with a market correction. These legistlators have much more important things to spend their time on (Education), instead of this nonsense.
Some real questions,
How much does it cost the county to license these things?
Are they safe for the kids?
How much money are we bringing in to the county, not just the casinos?
Who is going to be in charge of these facilities?
What other inspections for child safety are required?
How are those other inspections paid for?
How many times a year is this going to occur?
How will the casino protect the children from predators?
What age groups will be allowed to participate?
Let's get some real answers and real discussion about this going.
We're talking about the safety of children for crying out loud. Not just convenience for parents and money for casinos.
The Indian casino close to where I live have had a childcare center for years. It is clean, well monitored and entertaining with restrictions on the amt. of time a child may stay. They charge for the service. Perhaps the parents that want to take advantage of this could use their players points to pay for the service. As for employees using the service, this is a long overdue idea that should have been adopted years ago by any large company.
You think there are some unnecessary AMBER ALERTS now ? wait until mom and dad get drunk and lose their kids ! or even better forget to pick them up from child care !! , then you will have lawsuits flying all over the place. Although kids/minors are not allowed on casino floors, you still have kids/minors in the hotel area or the outer areas, so with more kids/minors in the hotel, parents are going to play stupid and act like they didn't know, next thing you know security's job will be babysitting !!
Let Clark County take care of our OWN kids First !, then worry about the tourist kids, that's like your mommy and daddy abandoning their own kids because taking care of someone else's kids is more profitable !!!!
Fore everyone (ie: retiredyoungste,KORNKID42 ) commenting saying that "Its only the convention areas" "Why Not"?, "only temporary" what you guys don't seem to understand is that all of these convention areas are connected to the casino's, even if the convention was like at the Las Vegas Convention center or the Sands, or MGM, these families are still staying in the Hotel/Casino. If you've ever worked on a casino floor you know its a headache and security surveillance is already busy enough. Vegas is an ADULT playground, not a KIDS playground. It would ruin vegas. Just because we are in an economic slump doesen't mean we have to sell out because some politician is up for re-election. It won't even work temporarily, because the parents will only want more and more. If you ever been in the Circus or the Orleans you know that its a headache. Let these families stay there, or build another "kid friendly" casino and let them wipe their noses.
I still remember the case of the young black girl who was lured out of the arcade and raped and strangled in the bathroom while Daddy gambled his paycheck away. Leave the kids at home.
Yall really don't get it, do you, it is all about the future moral laws, concerning gaming and residences.
The casinos have used a preemptive strike, putting child care laws in place prior to being dealt a face card, with 16 showing, that limits the proximity of residences to casinos.
Just look at what is going on in Macau, they increased the gaming age from 18 to 21, and they are pushing to limit where a casino can be in relation to residences.
The writing is on the wall, soon casinos will have to be stand-alone establishments, without hotels attached, on the same lines as a bar or club. These laws being passed in China will remove the moralist's, compulsion, excuse that patron's can't separate themselves from the attraction to play while in their residence (hotel room) while on vacation.
That said, Las Vegas, will then remain the players destination of choice, facilitated by ease of access to gaming, any time of the day, steps from your accommodations.
As I see it.
First I would like to say that if you have children, you have no business being in a casino. If you are a sick compulsive gambler, having child services around ain't such a bad thing rather than the alternative of them being locked up in a car in 120 degree heat, or running around loose to be attacked by some sicko in the bathrooms (remember Primm Casino not that long ago?) But looking at this issue overall I would say that gambling and children should always remain miles apart.
Resorts & cruise ships everywhere have childcare. (kennels too) Las Vegas is in direct competition with these business models for tourist, convention and wedding dollars. Let hotels provide childcare for REGISTERED guests. Limit the hours a child can be left. It needs to be licensed, inspected and care givers thoroughly screened.
As far as budget concerns, the tail is wagging the dog. Take some of the lodging tax being collected to administer licensing and inspecting these day cares. Also, childcare in hotels will create jobs.
Nevada had better support its primary industry.
P.S. NO kids on casino floors.
Sin City is not for Kid.....
Once again people dont seem to realize that families are needed in this recession starved town.The parents need accomodations to attract them to come.As far as the license issue you apply for the license and you pay an application fee.Then each year their after you you renew your license for a fee.What is the difference in having day care centers all over the city and having one in the casino's.Day cares are needed everywhere so explain the difference of a parent going to work and dropping off a child at a Day Care center and a parent going to a convention and dropping off their child at a day care center.What is the problem if the parent is attending their company convention and going to work.
The only thing I see is those who have a problem with it have nothing better to do than be Misserable and find ways to complain.Logic is the key to understanding what the ultimate goal is.
Las Vegas can be kid friendly and still be a gamming town and a convention stop for companies.
I guess the Miserables want all day cares shut down city wide.Hello wake up Misserables!!!
We already have enough problems in the casinos with the little kids standing next to mom and dad while they are playing the slots and even sitting on their laps. Its bad enough we have to babysit all these adult children that drink to much and are falling all over the casino. MGM is trying every which way to get that money they need to take care of that BIG MISTAKE due to open in a few months. They should open day cares and have the idiots that make all the dumbass decisions for MGM do the babysitting.
Clark County not allowing for temporary child care facilities for casino patrons is unreasonable.
People have children, and people go to casino's.
Does Clark County suggest that people leave the kids in the car?
Someone needs to slap Clark County in the head.
Casinos not having child care facilities or off-site child care 'partners' for employees who need those benefits is unreasonable.
People have children, and people work at Casinos.
Someone needs to slap Casinos in the head.
"The effort, however, has been complicated by the county's recent decision to transfer child care licensing responsibilities to the state Division of Child and Family Services.
Some county officials wonder whether Clark County should create an ordinance that would require a new program for casino child-care licensing when the state will assume those responsibilities in just 11 months."
Nothing but a ploy in drumming up support to expand government with new ordinances and licensing programs by the County while ultimately increasing funding for the State's Division of Child and Family Services.
"If something like this brings us even one more convention, then it's worth it."
Who's to say such kiddy-care conventions won't ultimately chase away adult conventioners?
Bottom Line:
MGM is Nevada, as in largest employer, and will ultimately get whatever is needed from "their" puppet politicians -- it's a guarantee, a "lock" -- it's just a matter of months before the announcement of the new kiddy-care facility's opening.
: )
A lot of silly comments here. For starters, MGM HAS a childcare facilty -it's for the children of employees, though. But it's not as if children being cared for on MGM or other casino properties does not exist.
The issue in this article, however, is for childcare services to cater to the TRADE SHOW ATTENDEES, you dummies! Unlike gaming, the trade show sector of the LV economy still has room to grow. It another leg of the economy we need to further develop. Sure, some attendees come to do their business at the shows, then go off to play at the casinos. But many -if not the majority- are here simply to conduct business at the shows. I know, I work in the convention biz. And just think: many of you reading this comment have jobs in town that have nothing directly to do with a casino. We all know life also exists completely apart from casinos, in this town. Why is everybody suddenly pretending they don't know a thing about life in the Valley, and just repeating the dumb outsider's cliches?
Las Vegas is very competitive globally in the trade show biz. Not having adequate childcare for attendees is plain dumb. And those of you worried about corrupting children by exposing them to... CASINOS! (gasp!)... are being silly. My family goes out to eat at casinos all the time. The off-strip casinos, in particular, have movie theaters or bowling lanes that many of us take our kids to. Of course, we often pass through the casino gaming floor on the way to the buffet or the theaters. Big deal! Idiot parents do exist, but please give most of us credit for knowing how to raise our children to not be compulsive gamblers.
DTJ : Your right about the body this article being about convention child care facilities only . Most commentators missed this point, however the larger issue is whether or not kids should be around gaming. I say no! In fact kids should not even be allowed inside a hotel casino or even in the strip areas, or off strip hotel casino properties period! Don't cha think that all of those bowling alleys, video game arcades, and movie theaters are placed there to keep people (and their children) near the gaming venues? they ain't there to service the local neighborhoods that's for sure!
annienonymouse,
Why have kids in the first place. It seemed to be a good idea at the time of copulation, but kids, they just spoil everything thats fun
ARE YOU CRAZY??? Las Vegas has never been a place for kids.
My husband and I go to Las Vegas at least once a month (from AZ). The last thing I want to see is a child on the casino floor!! I have, in fact, had children come up to me while I was playing slots (not on an end-cap machine) to which I politely have asked where there parents are and returned them, informing the parents children are not allowed on the casino floor other than in the carpeted areas to 'WALK THRU' the casino.
Simply stated: I'm there to gamble and enjoy the shows WITHOUT ANY CHILDREN!
If parents want to take their children somewhere Las Vegas is not the place - go to Disneyland, LegoLand, etc.
Bottom line in Vegas is money, and I believe if such an initiative were to pass the casinos will lose way more money than they are now in this recession.
Think carefully about what you are about to propose, it's contrary to all reason or common sense!!! Can the casinos logically afford to lose any more than they have????
Next thing they will be wanting child care at the annual Adult AVN Convention (porn), there's a quick buck to be made there too !!
After the kid getting killed at Primm a few years back, why bring small kids to casinos, other than to eat or shop (Forum Shops, etc.). In all fairness to the casino, the kid was dropped in an arcade by a worthless dad and killed by a worthless killer. Too bad the sweet little girl was put into that situation. I'd say leave the kids at home, or bring a baby sitter to take the kids to more kid friendly places. Years ago, we stopped at a casino to eat at a buffet with the kids (ages around 10-12). It was made very clear upon entering that we had to keep moving and not allow the kids near the machines. Who would want their kids dropped in a daycare warehouse with a bunch of strangers?
Licensed on-site daycare is fine. There's no reason that daycare in the MGM would be any worse than daycare in Anaheim or Orlando or down the street in Anywhere USA. Having it will help with getting the trade show business, not having it won't prevent predators or irresponsible parents.
Enviro,
Thanks. Well I can see I'm in the minority about not being up in arms about having these facilities on casino properties. The concern of some posters that this will mean children wandering unsupervised about the casinos is a bit much. Afterall, that's exactly what having sanctioned daycare would obviate. But maybe a compromise, where a daycare service is set up on a remote site from a casino AND is exclusively for convention attendees, would alleviate some of these concerns. The flip side is that these conventions will increasingly just pass on Las Vegas and bring their business to Denver, Orlando, etc.
Who says they don't have day care in Casino's! They forgot to send Kids Quest the memo. I've used them many times. Kids love it there. They get to play video games, go down slides, play in the jungle gym, sing with the kareoke machine, play with toys, etc. When me and the wife want to go fine dining without the kids, we go to a hotel with kids quest. Kids love, it we love it. Cost around $5 hr per kid. And you have to stay in the hotel-casino ...can't leave them there and go other properties. I just checked and they're still in business: http://www.kidsquest.com/locations.php?a...
Only complaint my kids have is the cig smoke from the Casino area (often close to these day care locations). Nobody in my family likes to smell second hand smoke. Hence, we only use these places a few times a year, mostly at the Red Rock hotel, Palms, and Sunset Station until they closed that good fish restaurant in the back.
Why are these locations allowed to have on site day care? Why didn't this article mention Kids Quest?
This town is so desperate. So they are looking to make money from people who cant afford child care? Sick.
mslv : that's nothin! wait until the state lowers the gambling age to 18 !!!!
Remember the late 90s when the children would be lined up sitting against the wall surrounding a casino floor while their parents played? Vegas was a "family" oriented city then. Child care in the casino is certainly better then the parents leaving their children in the car or unattended in the rooms. At least it would be a protected environment for the little ones.
You may say that parents who have children have no business in a casino, but a lot of us don't see anything wrong with trying to win some extra money and, at the same time, have some entertainment. A person doesn't have to be into drugs or prostitution in order to enjoy themselves in Las Vegas. My wife and I enjoy the wonderful food, entertainment and world class shopping. And yes, we like to do some gambling as well.
My girlfriend & I go to Vegas every year. The past 3 years we have had encounters with kids and strollers. When we went to the pirate show and it got so crowded we just wanted to leave. We inched our way to the exit and I was hit repeatedly on the back of my feet by the person pushing a stroller. It was 105 last year when we were there and people were pushing strollers down the street while enjoying their beverage of choice and these poor kids were stuck in their seats with the heat of the street radiating on them, no breeze or drinks to keep them cool. We attended a show that had strong language and in front of us were kids. I felt sorry for the casino security everytime thay had to get a kid away from machines people were trying to play. Sorry, but our husbands stay home so we can get away once a year and they take care of the homefront. Vegas is NOT a town for kids and it shouldn't be. The heat, noise, traffic, conjestion, half naked people on the streets,on billboards and cards, easy access to alcohol. If you have to take kids on a trip, Please make it a kid friendly place.
There are some misunderstandings in this article.
Two different types of children's programs are being discussed:
1. Convention Child Care - Temporary child care is privately set-up just for a particular convention's attendees, so that they can have a program for their children on-site (in meeting space, not nearby the casino) while they are attending sessions or workshops. Every other major city in the U.S. allows this, and lots of doctors' conventions, for example, include programming for spouses and children. I don't think anyone out there has a problem with the family traveling together, and mixing a little family time with a business trip. Especially with the cost of vacations these days a little combining business and family time works well.
A professional company like mine runs high quality children's programs customized to the convention group.
2. Casino Child Care - Obviously no one wants children running around unsupervised; and the fact is, like it or not, people do bring children to Vegas. Does anyone really object to children being properly cared for in a licensed child care facility? If children are coming anyway,encouraging qualified care is better for everyone than the consequences of children being inadequately supervised by their parents.