If you have used or worked at a Daycare....

Katieof2

 My husband quit his poor-excuse-for- a job right when we had our first child (cause I made a lot more $$ then him) and stayed home with her when I went back to work. Well, three years later, daddy got a great job opportunity and now we might be in the need of a daycare for the first time. I am spoiled because I never have to worry about my baby cause she has always been with her daddy and he takes very good care of her. The idea of leaving her with strangers is something I dread.

 I know thousands of people use daycare everyday but it's just not something that ever wanted to do. I want to raise my own kids how I wanted, in a nurturing environment with lots of patience and encouragement. The economy is so bad we just can't afford for me to quit yet.

In my mind, a daycare is a business. They want your money so of course they are going to be super nice to you and your kid during the tour. I want to know what happens on a daily basis when the parents AREN'T there there.  

I am a daycare virgin. Never been to one before, even as a kid, my mom stayed home with us till we were school age. If you have any advice for me as we tour different daycares please pass it this way. I want to know red flags, things to look for that should make me turn around and walk out the door. Or things that are really good. Are there any websites that have reviews that I can look at? We are in the Mansfield/S. Arlington area. Thanks so much!!!!

PS- Baby #2 will be here first week of October. One daycare quoted us $1800/month to put in both our kids after I go back to work in November. Sheesh thats a ton of money....was not expecting that. 

shandars

If you do you research, I am sure you can find a great daycare. We had a great one (I am now a SAHM but I do not regret one single day she was in daycare). She loved her teachers and her teachers loved her.  Our daycare had cameras in the room so this (what goes on when the parents are not there or whatever conspiracy theory you have made up in your head doesn't exist if you have a good daycare). Are good day cares expensive? Yes, we were paying $15k a year for one child, but that is an expense that we weren't looking for a cheap option, we were looking for the best option. I want to let you that there are good day cares out there, but if you go in with the attitude it appears you have in this post, you are not going to find anything. So, open your mind, remember MOST daycare workers are in the business because they love the kids, because they would make more money doing anything else. Oh, and daycare doesn't raise your kids. 

tahrna

I worked at a KinderCare for a few months and based on a few different factors, I would not use them. However, that was the facility I worked at and I am sure different places have better policies, teachers, etc.

LoCarb

I agree w/ Shandars it's all about research and your gut feeling. Incidentally, Shandars and I use the same DC (well she used to) and I am so happy w/ it that if I were to get a new job it would have to be located near the DC. I'm not moving my kids to another facility. The DC teachers are not raising my children, I am. Our DC is in a nurturing environment, the teachers are amazing, loving and have much more patience then I do.  These facilities/DCP do exist. 

I think your 3 yo will really enjoy the social aspect and education she will receive in pre-school. If you ask a K teacher they will also inform you they see a difference in behavior & listening skills with children who have attended school before.

Have a list of questions prepared when you look at facilities, meet the staff and trust your gut.  I would begin looking now as many have a wait list.

 The below website can assist with the licensed DC in your area and will list any violations they have had.

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp

nallsl

I worked for some like La Petite and Primrose. I was a young teen and in charge of 3-4 year olds. I had way too many kids to watch at such a young age and now, looking back, I can't believe they hired me! I also couldn't possibly give each kid the attention they needed because there were so many.Hopfeully there must be some kind of certification to do that job now! Because of my experience working at a daycare, I am choosing to never place my kids in one. I am fortunate that my mother is retired and living close by. If not, then I would contact some of my friends who use in home nannies. Plus, those places cost an arm and a leg. Look at your finances and honestly see what the cost would be versus you just staying home. We plan to pay my mom $500 a month...that gives her some fun extra income and saves us a ton!

*littlered*

I agree to see if it is possible to live on less and stay home.  If not, have you considered a nanny?  At least with a nanny, they are in their own home, with one on one attention, etc.  I've had a few friends do this and really like it.   We used a good daycare for about the first year of my DD's life - it just wasn't for me, I quit my job and we have had some lean years since but it has been worth it.  I plan to go back after my youngest starts kinder in a few years. 

TMWarren85

Both my husband and I work FT so my daughter has been in childcare since she was 3 months old. She has sort of bounced around since we temporarily moved to Chicago last year. But here's my take:

She started at The Peanut Gallery  because we were on a waitlist for another school and there was a 6 week gap from our spot opening and having to go to work. Leaving her alone for the first time was horrible!! The teachers themselves were so nice, but I wasn't happy with the facility.

KidsRKids - she went there from 5 -18 months, I loved the place, it was clean, roomy, there were cameras so I could view online, teachers were great. We only left because we went to Chicago for work.

Bright Horizon's - In Chicago she was in Bright Horizon's which they actually have one in Plano at the JCPenney headquarters that is open to the public (too far for us now, though). This school was fantastic. Her development from 18-30 months blew my mind. Her teachers were phenomenal, the curriculum was amazing, they had the newest technology, an indoor gym with a rock wall and ballet bar, did yoga, cooking, all great things. This school made me realize that I wanted more for my daughter than she was receiving at previous schools.

Montessori at Starcreek - She has been enrolled since January and is doing fantastic. This is a school, not a daycare though- closed for two weeks at Christmas, only open at spring break if you are enrolled full time, no after care for once your child switches over to public school (should you decide, they offer through 6th grade). They wear uniforms, have school performances, you pack their lunch, the whole nine yards. It took some time to adjust as it isn't like a normal childcare center, there aren't typical toys in the rooms, everything is geared towards developing through the Montessori curriculum.  But everything comes at a premium, it honestly isn't THAT much more expensive than most of the other schools, a LOT less than some places like Carpe Diem- I could not be happier with our decision to put her here and am excited to put our new addition there next year. 

 We all have an opinion about childcare vs. staying home/nanny, you have to do what works best for you. When I went back to work we didn't have an option, we chose the school for financial reasons and had to have my income. But I have seen the amazing things that my 3 year old can do now- (she knows the continents and can point them out on a map) and I know that I would not be able to offer that at home (brutally honest, I know). I make sure to take advantage of my weeknights and weekends to make up for lost time during the week. 

Good luck with your decision, as long as you are comfortable with your choice that's all that matters.