in home vs. stay at center (long)

luna49 · August 2009

Here's our situation - I just need some help weighing pros and cons:

We've had our son T in day care 3 days per week since he was 4 months old. After a bad first experience, we moved centers and he's been at the same place (small center, part of nationwide chain) for 10 months now. I moved him to that place b/c I loved the director when I met her; her daughter is about T's age and she was super supportive of working moms etc. She also took pride in making the center much better and moving towards NAEYC accreditation. A few weeks back, she left the center - along with one of T's infant room teachers.

The infant room teacher who left with her just called me. She and the director are opening their own little day care, at her house. They will have a max of 8 kids and are starting out with 4 or 5, all under 2. Apparently 2 of the other kids in T's class at his current place are already signed up to go, and they have the director's daughter too.

They have a finished basement so it's going to be down there, separate room for the cribs, small kitchen down there...Have a big yard to play in. Will be cheaper than our current center (not a huge consideration but obviously would be nice to pay less).

I'm not usually a fan of in-house care but I know (and like) both these ladies and T knows them and the other kids there. Any thoughts? My concern would be what happens if both teachers are sick at the same time, or what if 1 is sick - and they can only take 4 kids. Also once we get into preschool time, it'd be best to be at a place that either offers preschool or provides bussing to preschool. obviously they won't have that.

Part of me thinks that this is almost perfect - it's an in home setting, so hopefully a little more family oriented than a center, but it's with people I know and have trusted to watch T for 9 months already. But part of me worries about the usual worries - who else is going into the house, what if they're sick, etc. Any other considerations that I am missing here?

Thanks if you are still reading this!

AlisaS · August 2009

I would stay with the center and your preschool option. Unless somehow your center is now crappy.

luna49 · August 2009

yeah...the center is currently without a director, assistant director and missing an infant room teacher. They are subbing in with extra people from other centers. Not ideal. Maybe their new director (when they get one) will be great...but maybe not.

kamcfarlane · August 2009

i would go with the people i like. that's huge to me. we love our DC provider and it makes everything so much easier. we've been there since feb and have never had any problems with sickness. i would think with 2 teachers the odds of having both sick at the same time and missing work would be pretty small.

as for the preschool, i would address your concerns with them about pick-up/drop-off and i'm sure they can help you come up with something. not to mention, that's a long time off and a lot can change between now and then.

Alistair's_Mom · August 2009

My first instinct - I would also follow the people you know you like. They make the difference everyday for you and your son. A center is tough b/c of turnover...and its hard for kids to adjust to new people. Ask them about how they wil handle sick days, and all of the other issues you're concerned about. If they're answers seem satisfying, then go for it. You can always worry about pre-school later, and if a lot of the kids in that group stay, then I'm sure they will continue to offer age appropriate activities. Does your city/town offer Pre-K anyway?

One other idea...maybe you and the moms of the 2 other kids following them could discuss a sick day plan. If the providers close for a day b/c someone is sick, maybe you 3 could alternate who stays home with the kids or something like that - ?

Good luck!

CMDR513 · August 2009

I'd go with the home daycare.

jlw2505 · August 2009

I personally would stay at the center as I there are so many other things such as the whole sick and vacation stuff that you need to deal with home care. Also the whole preschool thing is huge. my center has an amazing preschool and pre-k program so I will not need to deal with getting my kids to different places.

Emmy323 · August 2009

I think you have to trust your gut on this one. The one thing I've noticed about this board, is that there are center loving mom's and in home loving mom's. When it comes down to it, all we want is for our children to get the best care possible with a fit that works for our family.

Your questions regarding sick days are valid. Have you discussed your concerns with them? Perhaps they have a back up system.

It also sounds like you need to weigh your options. If they are both sick, is there someone else who could care for your child that day? In case of illness, do you have the option of working from home? Do you have enough days off to support this?

Personally, my DD attends an in home center. We have been very happy there. The risk of the sitter getting sick was second to the fact that her care far exceeds center infant care in our area. I would rather take a personal day here and there, but that's just me!

2-Step · August 2009

It seems like most of the people on this board prefer a center to a in-home setting. I personally prefer an in-home setting if the person is someone you can trust and depend on to be a stable caretaker in your LO's life for years to come. At a center you will always have a revolving staff and some people you may not like or trust. I personally would always go with the person I trust the most to care for LO.

theoilmanswife · September 2009

What do you think your child would prefer? Maybe try looking at the situation from that view. Personally, my child would like both options because she is very easy going but some kids arent' so much.

luna49 · September 2009

Thank you all for your responses. It's always good to get some other points of view and to raise issues that I had not contemplated. I will see how T likes the place when we check it out on Thursday. I'm seriously considering moving him, I agree that going with the people you trust is probably the most important consideration.

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in home vs. stay at center (long)

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