ugh, I think we are changing daycares (LONG)

skroops

Kind of a long story....so sorry if I ramble.  Maybe my standards are too high, or maybe I am just crazy, but I have toured TWELVE centers since the time Zoey was born (and spoken on the phone with at least 4-5 more than I never went to see).  The one we ended up choosing for her was really great for the first year, but then the director switched to a different location and ever since the new director came in I have not been 100% happy there.  The biggest issue is that it seems like they are constantly losing staff and so it seemed like every time I turned around Zoey had a new teacher.  I figured it out and from the time she moved into the toddler room she had at least SIX different teacher (in about 1.5 years). So, I don't think it is unreasonable of me to be upset about that.  I did voice my concerns to the director, and even her supervisor on more than one occasion and they always told me they understand how I am feeling, they are just as frustrated as I am, they are looking for the right candidate but won't hire just anyone just to fill the position.  Blah blah blah.  So I was still not all that thrilled about the situation, but decided that I would stick it out because Zoey was used to it, always seemed happy, was getting good care and learning a lot, etc.  I think the constant teacher changes actually bothered me much more than her.

So I was feeling ok with going back to them this year, but the final straw came when I went in on Tuesday to drop of registration paperwork and a check for the first week back.  They have had even more staffing changes since I left in January, and at that point could not even tell me who would be teaching either of the girls since they have to hire a new teacher for both the infant room and the preschool room.  So, I left there very upset and frustrated that I didn't even get to meet their teachers and at this point I think I am just ready to be done with them. I just can not deal with the inconsistency anymore. Our second choice center from when I put Zoey in daycare is full so that's not an option.   

So, today I went at looked at two other centers which I had not toured when looking for Zoey and I think I found a place we felt comfortable with.  The first one was a definite no because the outside door to the building does not lock and it's not exactly in the best neighborhood.  But the second one, I feel good about.  SIL send her kids there and has been happy.  It is run in cooperation with a school so all of the teachers are certified teachers with a Master's Degree and the program seems very strong academically.  The woman in the infant room has been there for 8 years so I don't think that I have to worry about her leaving.  The preschool teachers all seem really great too and I know that Zoey would learn a lot.  And, they also said they are willing to accept the cloth diapers.  The only negatives are that the food is not the healthiest --  Zoey will eat in the cafeteria so it's typical school food - pizza, chicken nuggets, etc, and that the kids watch TV in the afternoons before pickup.  (I am not totally anti-TV by any means, but in the perfect world would prefer that my kids don't watch TV every day at "school")

Anyways, I have to talk things over with my husband when he gets home from work, but I am 99% sure we will not be returning to our current daycare and switching to this other place.  I'm not looking forward to calling the director to let her know, they are expecting Zoey and Liana will be starting on Tuesday.  But I really think that we are making the right decision not sending them back.  Hopefully she will be understanding about it and not give me a hard time. 

Wow, that got really long.  (SORRY!)  Thanks for listening!   More of a vent than anything else, but input and advice are welcome

kevinandmonica2011

No input or advice... just a "good luck!" and hope that this change will be a nice, new beginning full of new friends for the girls, positive learning experiences and a more consistent atmosphere for you and them. 

Sometimes you just have to go with your gut and I think you know what your gut is telling you.  Good luck!

MrsWhiteonWhiteSt

I have to admit, your expectations do sound high but at the cost of daycare, I don't think you're being unreasonable. Do you have the option of packing Zoey a lunch maybe a few days a week? That may help you feel better.

skroops

MrsWhiteonWhiteSt:

I have to admit, your expectations do sound high but at the cost of daycare, I don't think you're being unreasonable. Do you have the option of packing Zoey a lunch maybe a few days a week? That may help you feel better.

That is exactly it!  When I am paying 10 grand or more for a year of child care, I don't think it's completely unreasonable to hope the kids won't watch TV.  But I get that it's a long day, so a little TV at the end of the day isn't gonna be the end of the world and it's definitely not a deal breaker.    And, I can pack her a lunch any time that I want, I'm sure when she sees all the other kids eating pizza, fish sticks, etc that is what she is gonna want to eat too. 

jewelsonu

go with your gut.  I'm glad you found something else so quick. I hope it goes well

mountainkimi

I went through the same thing. DS went to a "corporate" well known daycare from 6 months to 18 months old. I loved the infant room. The head teacher had been there 10 years. There was consistency and I trusted them. I got to know them pretty well since I came to nurse his everyday at lunch until he was a year old.

As soon as he was moved into the older infant room at 1, it all went down hill. Teachers were constantly moving around, switching, changing, etc. They did not know my DS and I had a laundry list of things that just bugged me. DS was getting good care, but not at the level I was expecting. Maybe I was being too picky, but this is my child. I never knew who would be with him that day and I was also really upset at the food they were serving him.

At 18 months we switched him to a private non profit preschool. We LOVE them. DS has been there almost a year and I have had not one complaint.  The teachers have been there for years and there is a consistency that I was looking for in the care of my child. They also serve him healthy fresh food everyday. No chicken nuggets   I'm so happy with the choice I made in switching him.

 I don't have an answer for you. But I think you really have to go with your gut and what you are happy with. Everyone has their own level of what they are comfortable with. One place might be a great for one family, but at the same time it won't work for another. I hope you find a place that you all love.

GL!

olivia_eve

In my former life, I did some work that was related to helping people find quality child care.  One of the most important factors in quality, if not the most important factor, is continuity of care.  I totally think you have a legitimate concern re: high turnover. 

I think the food thing is also a legit concern, but it's easier to deal with because you can control it by sending food with her. 

MelissaSue81

Yikes! I'm sorry you are having to switch so last minute.. That can't make this transition of going back to work any easier for you! I hope you are happy with the new place!

 

MelissaSue81

i hit post before I meant to..

As for the food at the new place, is it an option for you to send food for Zoey? a PITA I know (and not what I would do, as you probably know. ) but if you're really worried about the nutrition of the food there, would it be possible? Don't most schools and stuff like that have a dietician/nutritionist that they work with?

mrsoc

I agree with pp...go with your gut.  

Kim72508

I'm sorry you are going through this.  Stressing about daycare is not fun when you're returning to work really soon.  Good luck working it out- go with your gut!

skroops

Thanks for all the input ladies.  DH and I talked about it last night and we both feel that switching is the right decision.  I just called the director of the center where Zoey was last year and told her we were not coming back.  Of course she was not happy, but was understanding about the situation and said she completely understands that I need to do what I feel is best for my family.  I don't think that it came as a total shock because I had voiced my concerns to her about the constant teacher changes a few times over the past year. 

Anyways, here's hoping that the new DC is going to be a good fit for both the girls.  And another huge plus is that when I figured out the prices yesterday, this new place is going to be way cheaper and end up saving us over $3000 over the course of the year! 

skroops

Oh and I think that I am going to start off packing her a lunch and try to keep the icky cafeteria food to a minimum.  I just have a feeling that if she sees all the other kids eating pizza, chicken nuggets, etc she is going to want to eat that too.  Maybe if we go out and pick out a lunch box together, she will think it's fun to bring her lunch to school?  It's worth a try at least. 

Bianca42

skroops:

Oh and I think that I am going to start off packing her a lunch and try to keep the icky cafeteria food to a minimum.  I just have a feeling that if she sees all the other kids eating pizza, chicken nuggets, etc she is going to want to eat that too.  Maybe if we go out and pick out a lunch box together, she will think it's fun to bring her lunch to school?  It's worth a try at least. 

Tupperware has some great food containers for inside lunchboxes with fun characters on them.  Mike has a Spiderman sandwich container that he picked out from the Tupperware lady at the farmer's market and he loves using it.  Added bonus for me, I don't have to buy as many plastic baggies.