XP: Daycare selection

nutmegger

Hi everyone, I usually lurk on here because I'm currently expecting, but I'd appreciate any advice you could give:

We've decided that we'd like to use a daycare center.  There are five within a 10 min drive of our place, which is great.

We eliminated one based on bad reviews from people we know and replies to a previous post I made on my local board.

Two already do not have space available for when we'd need it (late Feb/early Mar).  We're #2 on the waiting list for one, which we really like and is our first choice, and would have to pay $50 to be on the waiting list for the other, which is the most expensive of the five and just doesn't seem to be worth the money (for an infant, at least), in my opinion.

We visited a center yesterday, it's the closest one to our home (we're talking 2 mins door to door), and on the way to work for both DH and me.  We really liked it, and it seemed like it would be a good fit.  The only problem is that they've already got some kids lined up for the classroom we'd need, so we'd need to make a decision in the next week if we want to enroll there.  When we left the place yesterday Dh was ready to enroll right then and there, but I wanted to see just one more place before making a decision.

I just had to cancel a tour I had scheduled for tomorrow at the fifth center because I found out this morning that I have to travel next week and just can't take the time off from work to do the tour.  Also, since I'm out next week I won't be able to tour then.  This place is the furthest away from our home (but still less than 10 mins), and in the opposite direction of our commutes.  The only advantage I can see (aside from actually visiting and it being better than any other place we've seen) is that it's close to DH's parents in case they need to pick up in an emergency.  It's also $30 cheaper a month, but that's not a huge deal.  Another disadvantege to me is that it's a national chain and very corporate-sounding (from looking at their website), which kind of rubs me the wrong way.

So my question is this: should I just wait until I'm back in town late next week to do the tour just to ease my mind that I've explored all options and risk losing a spot (not super likely, but since we've already missed out on one that we really like, I'm antsy), or should I just go ahead and enroll at the place we saw yesterday?  I know I'm the only one who can make the decision, but I'd apprecate any input from other moms.

Sorry this is so long!

jlw2505

From what you have said and from my years of dealing with daycare, go with your gut which to me sounds like the place you saw already.  Sounds like you are not impressed with the one place even though you have not seen it and your DH sounds very impressed with the one place already.  I personally would not pick a daycare that is close to family for the "just in case" as that won't happen often most likely.  I would not want to drive out of my way 10 miles each way unless there was no other option and it sounds like you have other options.

trinny

I'd go ahead and enroll.  I was in a similar situation-- had to enroll DD before I knew I'd be working or we'd lose her spot until 2010.  It all worked out for the best and we couldn't be happier-- it is very close to home and on the way to work for both of us. 

14years

I agree with pps that I'd go ahead and enroll.  If the only "problem" was that you have to decide soon because the place is in high demand, that's pretty darn good.  Plus, I think close to home and on the way for both of you is great, too.

robin_e

Just out of curiosity, where in MD are you located?  If you don't mind saying, that is.  It's just that your situation sounds very similar to mine when we were looking.  If you turn out to be in my area, I could give you my specific observations.