Changing day care

vfolk

We love our day care.  Everyone knows our son and they have taken great care of him for the last year (since 12 weeks old).  But it is really expensive.  $316/wk.  It will go down when he moves to the next room in about a month.  Most of his friends are moving up in Dec. but due to room (what they say) he has to wait. 

We are interviewing another center this week and bringing him for a play date.   On first visit we really liked it and the toddler room where he will go.  It will be about $35/week cheaper in the toddler room then when he moves at the current center.   About $1400/year savings. 

 I know money isn't everything when it comes to your child.  We love his current assigned teacher but that will change when he moves. 

 I need advise on if we should switch.  It is closer to home and easier for my hubby to drop off or pick up and still on my way to work so a lot easier that way too. 

 Thoughts?  I am having a hard time with it.  I feel guilty even looking when his current place is great.  Thanks for any advice. 

madalynnsmommy09

We switched day cares when LO was about 3 months old. We switched because of bad at our previous day care, but it was the best choice we made. Our new day care was the perfect fit for LO, it ended up being cheaper, and was a mile from our house. If you love the new center, go for it. Don't just go for it because it's cheaper.

angel1015

I agree with PP, go with what you feel, but make sure you know it is the best fit for your little one. 

We are on daycare #3 in 16 months.  We had some conflicts with the first, and jumped into the second one too quickly, mainly based on her hours, and after a few months realized that that was not the right fit for DD.  We are now onto #3 and have struck gold.  DD's new DCP is absolutely amazing and she is the first to realize exactly what DD needs to keep learning ad growing.  We made the decision to go with her even though it meant a slight increase in rate (less than $25 a week) and we decided we could make the adjustment in our budget to make it work. 

To make a long story longer, the best thing to do is to determine what aspects are the most important and then make your decision based on those.  Hours was number one for us because of our work schedules (We both work until at least 6pm) after that it was program and location and cost.  There were other little things but I think the feeling we got when we visited took care of those little things.  In the end it worked out exactly like it should and we know that DD will be there until she goes to school.

angelame1979

If the cost is the bigger object and you love the daycare, ask your current provider if you can switch to the cheaper rates when your DS hits the age in a month.  It's not your fault there is not room.  At my daycare even though there are specific teacher assigned to each room all the teachers help in other ares when needed.  Like this morning when I dropped of DD, she was the first infant (usually is) to arrive and the toddler area had like 7 kids already so one of the infant helpers went to to help with the toddlers.  I like that my DD gets that one on one time in the morning.  I used to feel guilty that she was the first one but she has developed special bonds with her teacher in the morning.  

 But if you really like the new place just as much and it works out better than go for it.  You have to do what's best for all of you not only your DS.  If you are happier and less stressed it's good for your LO.