DCP switch, WWYD?

historychick79

We loved C's original DCP, but lost his toddler space when DH lost his job and we pulled C out for 5mos. Last week, C started in a new daycare center. So far everything is going relatively smoothly. I like the director and his room teacher, it's close to work. It has a great reputation, and I like what they have to offer for structure/philosophy as he gets older. C is still screaming at dropoff and pickup, but I know that may take a few weeks to calm down. My biggest concern so far is the center is on a busy parkway. The kids have their smallish classroom, and they have a playground, but there's no way for them to go outside for walks so it feels a bit limited (especially in winter).

I work at a university with a campus preschool. The formal program runs Sept through June, with daycare for calendar year staff available through the summer break. All kids start in Sept and C will be old enough this year. I haven't toured yet, but it is accredited and people have raved about it. Kids have access to the campus facilities (gym, pool, nature preserve), will do things like escorted Halloween parades to offices, and with the faculty and students here it will be a more diverse group of people around than our pretty homogeneous community. And it would  be nice to have him right here. The price is basically the same, so it's not a factor. Is it worth disrupting routine and resettling a toddler for these perks, if he ends up happy at our current place? I've always thought C adjusts pretty easily, but seeing what we're going through right now makes me wonder if a change would be a good idea. Any thoughts?

Cheerio B

I would at least tour it and if you love it, at least put his name on the list. You can always change your mind closer to September if you end up being happy with the current center. It sounds like this other place offers too many perks to not at least check it out.

erinruns

My daughters go to daycare in my building and the convenience cannot be beat.  I love the daycare and it is so nice to be able to pop in and have lunch or snuggle them if I know they had a rough morning.  I would definitely go for it.

financialdiva

Cheerio B:

I would at least tour it and if you love it, at least put his name on the list. You can always change your mind closer to September if you end up being happy with the current center. It sounds like this other place offers too many perks to not at least check it out.

I agree with this.

If you decide you like this center, yes, you'll go through another transition, but it will only be temporary. GL!