I have an open planned area to the front of my house, I use the dining room as my childminding room / play room and there is no wall between my hallway and dining room. I am thinking of getting a very wide stair gate so that the dining room is cut off and therefore I can keep all my toddlers in one room rather than having a stair gate on the lounge / kitchen / stairs. Its becoming very irritating opening stair gate after stair gate just to nip to the loo! Opinions would be greatly appreciated xxxx

I'm all for an easy life, so whatever works best for you that keeps the children safe should be fine

I have an open plan downstairs, and the children are taught not to go upstairs (unless they need the loo and then it's one at a time), and they don't go in the kitchen. If I had one younger than the ones I have I do have a stairgate for the stairs just in case, but touch wood, haven't needed it yet :thumbsup:

I don't have stair gates just shut the door on my kitchen ( where stairs are). Whatever works best. Only child I've ever had try to go upstairs is my own