Day Care Search

2chatter

We have almost nailed down the contract on the "perfect house".  The sixth option period ends today and we expect to see the contract by COB.

There is a Montessori (definately what we want for DS; DD thrived in her Montessori program until I was no longer able to handle the 40 minute commute) five minutes from our future home.  It has been there 25 years.  On the DFPS site it has zero infractions in the last two years.  None!  I have never seen that for any day care.  The rate is only $200 more than we pay now (expected it to be more) and they do not provide lunch (this was a hot button for me - I hate the menu at our DC today and would prefer to pack lunch).  There is a huge playground with shade sails over it.

Would it be crazy/irresponsible to just see this one program?  I have been through the DC hunt before, and it was a matter of "which program is least scary" until we found our current program (which is still subpar compared to the kind of care that will be geogrpaphically accessible).  I know what we want.  If this program meets expectations on the tour, would you go through the brain damage of looking at other programs (at 45 minutes each way plus time to tour in the middle of the work week and while juggling crazy summer camp drop off/pick up hours while working full time and trying to remain sane)? 

SunAndRain

I think you are fine.

I'm switching DD from Kindercare to Montessori and we looked at only one school.  It came highly recommended from our friend.  We liked the school when we visited.  It is two miles from our house.

After looking at 9 schools for infant care and realizing that 8 of them would have been great options, I came to the realization that a mass search wasn't going to be beneficial.  And frankly we LOVE DD's current school.  We're only switching her because we want to try Montessori.

LoCarb

After checking out the facility, if you have a great feeling with this program I don't think you are ok not viewing others. Read recommendations on the Yelp and other websites too.  Why keep looking if you found perfection.

honeybee111

We only toured 2 preschools.  If you know what you want, why keep looking once you've found it? 

QueSrah

Are you confident they'll give you a space?  DD is in Montessori this year and had to pass an "interview." It's not like you can always put your name on a list and get in with Montessori.  If there's any chance that you won't get a space there (whether because of interviews or wait lists), I'd absolutely go through the hassle of looking at other options just in case.  (You could try to schedule a few on the same morning, so you're taking less time off of work.)  But I also can't imagine somewhere where there *aren't* 15 different hurdles to get through just to get a space for any type of childcare.

2chatter

The interview is a great question.  DS is almost 16 months.  He says dog, duck, mom, dad, Adda, sister, bella, bye bye, hi and car. He can roll cars, make a strange list of animal noises, loves books and stacks blocks.  He's pretty typical.  I cannot imagine what his interview would be....do they do them for the toddler rooms?

I might schedule one more school on the same morning as I will be up there anyway.  Smart idea to have a backup.

emberlee3

I don't see why you would need to shop around.  We chose DS's current school after one visit and no comparisons.  Granted, I got an unsolicited glowing recommendation from a coworker who didn't even know we were looking for a new school.  Her daughter attended the school for 3 years as a preschooler, and she still mists up when she talks about it.  DH and I both felt a little guilty about making a snap decision, but it has worked out fabulously.