I have met with two ladies who do in-home daycare. They were both referred to me from two of my friends. They both seemed nice, but I didn't get the "wow" feeling from either of them. Did any of you get that feeling or am I just over-reacting for not feeling great about either of them?
Also, the one has cats. I have never used in-home daycare before--should that worry me?
Re: ? for those who use in-home daycare
I got the wow feeling from our provider. I love her and her assistants. They are wonderful.
Our first provider, I was not wowed by... but I felt DD would be safe and well cared for. She was safe, but I pulled her when I became very unhappy with her care (long story). She was also recommended to me by someone who was wowed by her. I still don't get it, 2 years later.
I'd keep looking... you want to be completely comfortable with your care.
ETA - ours has a cat, and I don't mind at all. I actually like it b/c DD loves cats but I am highly allergic.
I was wow'ed by our in-home provider & knew right away that she was what we wanted - so much so that I booked her on the spot & canceled appointments I had made with 2 other providers.
If you're not wow'ed, I would keep looking. If you don't find anything better, then you can always go back to them.
As for the cats -- I personally wouldn't use a provider that had pets because pet hair gets everywhere & it would really, really bother me.
Do you "wow" easily? Is it your personality to get this feeling? With the first daycare, I used a lady in my neighborhood becuase I knew her and her children and it felt safe and after 3 months did not like it. She was a stay at home mom taking my child as an extra money thing. Not professional, not consistent, not my type of care for DD etc.. But this being my first child, I didn't know what would bother me and what wouldn't until I went through it. When I found my current inhome , I was referred by a friend and she pointed positive things out to me that I would not have thought of. Anyways, i was cautious and optimistic about the inhome but not really "wowed." I think I was hesitant and jaded because the first experience had failed. Fast forward to 4 years with this lady and she is truly wonderful. I trust her 100%, she does an excellent job and I am "wowed".