Advice on daycare needed, please!

summershanty

So, some advice needed for those with kids in daycare. We went and looked at a place yesterday, which we really liked (and have heard lots of good things about). It's one of the few places I have found that has part-time care for LO's age right now. The only potential issue is that LO will be in the infant room all year. They start their school year in Sept., and if you're not 18 months by Sept. 1st, then you are in the infant year through August. They assured us that there are kids who are older in there (only one little girl we saw was up walking around), and that they do separate the older and younger kids so they can do more projects with the older kids, etc. They had curriculum posted outside (body parts and colors), and the ratio of care givers to kids is usually 1:2. I guess I just worried that he may be bored all year and just sitting there playing by himself (although again she said that would not be the case). I can't decide if this is a legitimate concern or if I'm just being a little nervous about starting to put him in daycare. (Oh, he will only be going two half days a week, so it's probably not really a big deal).  Thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

jnnfrrose6

If the ratio is 1:2, then you shouldn't have to worry that he'll be playing by himself, and as you said, he's only going to be there 2.5 days/week, so I don't think it's a big deal.  I would look longer term, though,  How will there cutoff factor in as he gets older and what ages will he be with (oldest or youngest in the group?)

preggersin2011

usually it is a 1:4 ratio until 18yrs of age. Our day care has a 'lay over room' for 18m-2yrs. I know that in my experience LO was ready for the toddler room (2-3yrs) at 16 months and she spend 6 months getting into trouble because she was too big for the room. Our toddler room has more push toys and climbing things, plus a walk up coloring table. In my experience when LO had to find ways to entertain herself, that is when she got into trouble.

mamaHippo23

It seems odd to me that the daycare has age cut-off dates like a school. Maybe it's just the daycares in my area, but the decision to move kids up to a new classroom is usually based on their current age and overall readiness, not necessarily being born before or after a certain date.

However, in your situation with him only attending 2 half days, I wouldn't worry about it. It also sounds like they have enough staff to give him plenty of individual attention and stimulation. I tend to think that being an older kid in class is better than being younger and possibly struggling to keep up.

MNmama7112

I agree with @mamaHippo23. If he's only going to be there 2 half days per week and the ratio is 1:2, I don't think you have anything to worry about. That's like 8 hours a week total that he'll be there, so I wouldn't be too concerned about him being bored. If nothing else he has lots of other little kids to look at and different toys than he has at home.

summershanty

Thanks everyone.  I think we're going to give it a try and see how it goes for a few months.