Im a FTM and my husband is a graduate student. So, I dont have the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom. I have to work or we won't be able to eat. Anyway, I know its really early but I was looking for some advise. Is private care better then a day care environtment? How much does it cost? I've herd that sometimes there is a long waiting list to get into some day cares, when is the best time to start looking to make sure I can get my child into the best one possible? Also, what do you need to look for in a good day care or care giver? I'm honestly terrified to leaving my child in someones care. Any advise is appreciated.
Re: Infant Care
1. Do they background check their employees (as much as you'd like to assume this is always done, some may not)? What types of credentials does the staff have? Tenure? It maybe a red flag of tenure is low because of high turn over due to poor management.
2. Can you bring in outside food? Once your baby no longer just consumes breast milk/formula, this will be important if you still want to have control over what your kid is eating. Some daycare's may not allow outside food. If they don't allow it, ask to see a menu.
3. If you choose to follow a schedule with your LO, will the daycare adhere to it?
4. What does tuition include? Diapers, wipes, food, etc.
5. This is more personal feelings and not for the daycare, but would you want to spend all day in the facility? Do you get warm and fizzles when you walk in? Chances are if you don't feel good about the place your baby will feel the same.
Once LO arrived I would schedule another visit so you can ask more questions that may come to mind after living with your baby for a few weeks.
And the first day of drop off will be an emotional day. It's like removing your heart from your chest and being expected to continue on like nothing's wrong, but you'll get through it and your baby will be in good hands.
I was a daycare kid. I had a lot of opportunities, including in the summer. Swimming, gymnastics, huge playground, cooks who made our meals and snacks, etc. It was like a mini version of school without tests and homework. Of course the baby side of a care center isn't exactly like that but they should be professional, clean and offer plenty of healthy stimuli.
One thing to consider is that a daycare has more staff so if a teacher gets sick there is still other staff there and you won't have to find alternate care. If your private care gets sick or has a sick child herself you may have to miss work if you don't have backup.
4. We need a place starting in January and the two places I called today both had waiting lists. The first spot in my preferred center isn't until March of 2016. I would recommend that you get started looking as soon as possible.