Which daycare?

MagickalNarwhal

We are putting our son into 2 or 3 days a week daycare starting in a month or so and are having trouble deciding between 2. Both are about the same distance form our house and we don't know where I'll be working yet (I'll do drop off) so location isn't a factor. Approach/style is similar between the 2 and I do feel that he'd get great care in either. Ratio is the same.

Daycare 1

Cheaper ($580 for 2 days, $795 for 3 days, no way to recoup for lost days)

We have to provide food and diapers

Smaller operation (22 kids total, from 6 weeks - 3 years, divided by age). Kids move up to different rooms as they age and change main providers (I think), but since it's so small they said that the kids are familiar with all the teachers.

My partner knows the girlfriend of someone who works there and she loves it there.

Space is limited, not sure if they have room yet.

 

Daycare 2

More expensive ($795 for 2 days, $1,000 for 3 days, but if your kid doesn't attend one of their days you can try to "sell" that day to another parent)

They provide all food, all of which is organic and much of which is grown on site, and they provide all diapers (cloth) except the diaper your kid comes in and goes home in.

Smaller "annex" of a larger center - 12 kids currently at this location. All kids are within 6 mo in age and they age together in a "cohort".

I have a friend with a kid in another annex of the center and they absolutely love it.

Space available now.

 

Thoughts? Thanks!

MamaAllison

They both sound good, I'd save some money and go for the cheaper one!

EastCoastBride

It would boil down to cost to me. I don't know how easily you'll be able to "sell" a day you don't use. And really how often is that going to happen?

zestyfrog7

I would go with the cheaper option.  I wouldn't want to deal with the stress of having to sell days if we aren't there. 

GL!!!

katieh1017

zestyfrog7:

I would go with the cheaper option.  I wouldn't want to deal with the stress of having to sell days if we aren't there. 

GL!!!

I agree with this. Seems like you know people at both locations that are happy so I would go with the less expensive one.

laurakaz13

I would go with the one that provides food and diapers!  Our daycare provides 2 balanced meals per day, plus a healthy snack. 

It saves DH and I so much time and effort and LO is exposed to a great variety of food. 

KTdidit

laurakaz13:

I would go with the one that provides food and diapers!  Our daycare provides 2 balanced meals per day, plus a healthy snack. 

It saves DH and I so much time and effort and LO is exposed to a great variety of food. 

I agree, I'd go with the second option. While cost is a factor, you will be spending a decent amount of money providing food and diapers. For me, the cloth diapers and healthy food would be worth the extra $$

cedenton

laurakaz13:

I would go with the one that provides food and diapers!  Our daycare provides 2 balanced meals per day, plus a healthy snack. 

It saves DH and I so much time and effort and LO is exposed to a great variety of food. 

If you can afford it, I would go with #2 also.  I think the cohort groups sound pretty cool and the good food and diapers makes a difference. 

DaisyJanie

Will you use cloth or disposable at the cheaper place? If you already use cloth, then I guess you won't be saving any money on diapers between the two places, but if you use disposables that should offset the difference in price a little bit. I would definitely be tempted by the one with food & diapers provided, I have had to provide all food since Isaac started daycare. He's about to move to the next classroom where they provide snacks and I'm so excited! One less thing.