WWYD?

Kim72508

DS started daycare last week.  No complaints other than I'm having a hard time adjusting!  We can watch him online throughout the day.  Here's my issue.....there are 3 infant classrooms.  His classroom has 2 small babies (maybe 4-5 months) and DS.  He's by far the oldest kid in there and has no playmates.  He tends to just follow the teacher around and watch the babies in the swing during the day.  I noticed that he doesn't play much during the day.  Last week, they moved an older baby into his room for just the day (she was 15 months) and he played all day long with her.  It was so cute and he came home so happy.  DH thinks we should ask if he could be with kids closer to his age because the other rooms are more "toddler" yet still an infant room.  Does that make sense?   I know they do things the way they do for a reason.  I also don't want to be *that parent*.  What would you do?

MelissaSue81

I  would ask. If they can't for whatever reason, for ratios or whatever, you can at least make it known that you'd like it to happen as soon as possible, but thats a big age difference if he is the only "big" baby in his room.

dle927

I would ask.  In the very least they will know how you feel and take that into consideration. 

 They just moved a bunch of kids up from Claire's classroom so now she's the next oldest by a few months.  She doesn't really play with the kids in her class now.  I already asked when she would be moved up (supposed to be at 2 years so less than three weeks) but they are so overcrowded in the next room they may wait.  I don't love it since the younger kids aren't as verbal or as active and Claire isn't as happy to go. 

abba916

I would ask too (actually knowing my personality- I would be *THAT* parent)- play is important and if you saw that he was happier with a child closer to his age in his room- then you have a valid concern...

Good Luck! 

Kim72508

abba916:

I would ask too (actually knowing my personality- I would be *THAT* parent)- play is important and if you saw that he was happier with a child closer to his age in his room- then you have a valid concern...

Good Luck! 

haha!  I actually am *THAT* parent when it comes to his food allergies.  I'm such a nut about his allergies.  I printed out an article about food allergies and arts/crafts in daycare settings which listed potential allergens and safe alternatives.  DH made fun of me this morning when I gave it to his teacher!!!  He said that although I'm trying to avoid being *THAT* parent, I already am!!!! 

wendyj

I'd ask. That's a huge discrepancy in ages for one room. In our daycare, the infant rooms go in 4-6 month increments from 6 weeks to 18 months (and often transition to toddler rooms between 16 and 18 months, depending on space) Is the 15 month old normally in another classroom? I'd ask when they plan on moving DS so that he's with more age-appropriate peers.

NikCole

I definitely would. That seems like a huge age difference.

Two*True

It's my understanding that NYS is pretty strict about kids not moving up until 18 months.  What room is the 15 month old normally in?  I would definitely explain your concerns. Perhaps they can have your son eat snack with the older kids or play with them after time.

wendyj

Two*True:

It's my understanding that NYS is pretty strict about kids not moving up until 18 months.  What room is the 15 month old normally in?  I would definitely explain your concerns. Perhaps they can have your son eat snack with the older kids or play with them after time.

If there's room in a Toddler room, the daycare can ask the state for a variance that allows for the mix, but they have to keep the ratios at the Infant level. In ours, DS was in a Toddler room when he started, but went by all the rules of the infant room (we had to provide meals, smaller ratios, infant tuition) until he was 18 months.

Kim72508

wendyj:

I'd ask. That's a huge discrepancy in ages for one room. In our daycare, the infant rooms go in 4-6 month increments from 6 weeks to 18 months (and often transition to toddler rooms between 16 and 18 months, depending on space) Is the 15 month old normally in another classroom? I'd ask when they plan on moving DS so that he's with more age-appropriate peers.

He is scheduled to be in this room until he transitions to the toddler room at 18 months (hopefully I'll be part-time by then and won't need daycare though!). 

Kim72508

Two*True:

It's my understanding that NYS is pretty strict about kids not moving up until 18 months.  What room is the 15 month old normally in?  I would definitely explain your concerns. Perhaps they can have your son eat snack with the older kids or play with them after time.

The 15 month old is in one of the other infant rooms.  There are 3 infant classrooms.  DS gets dropped off in classroom #2 and stays there with the older kids until 8am (30 minutes).  He is able to play with the other kids until his teacher gets in at 8am and then they move into his room.  I suspect that they are mixing the kids so one teacher doesn't have to take care of all little babies but who knows! 

June4bride2be

This is one of the issues I had with this chain of centers....it happened in my room too and drove me nuts the short time I was there. I had 2 new babies and an older infant who was walking. I had to keep the babies "in" something all the time so they wouldn't get stepped on. The older kiddo had very few age appropriate toys too, it was kind of sad. That child also had to play alone a lot as I was alone in the room and had to bottle feed the LO's. I always wondered if a parent noticed this on camera. Do what you can to get him into a room with at least 1 playmate. They should be able to flip flop spots as long as the other parent agrees. 

christina39

MelissaSue81:

I  would ask. If they can't for whatever reason, for ratios or whatever, you can at least make it known that you'd like it to happen as soon as possible, but thats a big age difference if he is the only "big" baby in his room.

This.. 

mrsoc

I would say that it can't hurt to ask.