Poll: Childcare

Tygerli11y · September 2008

Hi!. I'm having a hard time deciding between a nanny and daycare. For those of you working moms:

1. What kind of childcare do you use?

2. What do you like most about it?

3. Do you have any recs in South OC?

Thanks!

KimMaraia · September 2008

Well C is not in school since we relocated back to Orange County. We used a family owned daycare center. It was a private school that had from infants to 3rd grade. I liked it because I felt like we weren't just dropping him off to be watched. My dh and I personally felt more comfortable with a center rather than nanny or in home daycare. The more eyes the better and more security we felt. No recs in South OC, sorry

KaliChick · September 2008

Not a mom ... own a preschool (not infant care though).

Where in South OC? I *might* have recs ... lots of ladies in the Irvine-ish area on here though.

Tygerli11y · September 2008

I'm hoping to find a place in lake forest/foothill ranch/mission viejo

LoveHimSoMuch · September 2008

I am lucky to have my MIL watch him - she really enjoys him.

pompong · September 2008

1) In-home Daycare

2) Cheaper than center, plus we are lucky. A really loves the daycare lady + her children (extended family feel) and vice versa.
Every time I pick him up, A has to say bye2 to the youngest one. If not, the youngest one will ask where A is and start crying.

3) My daycare lady is in LaPaz and Felipe (MV), email me at pompong@yahoo.com if you are interested. Her hours are 7-5. I don't feel comfortable giving out her info on public site.

KaliChick · September 2008

My neighbor and another friend of mine both have their girls (they both have almost 4 year olds and one has a 1 year old and the other has a 10 month old) at Hillside Montessori on El Toro.

In Lake Forest there is the one on the corner of Trabuco and Lake Forest which I can't remember the name of. I have a former student of mine in their pre-K but I know they do infant care as well.

I would, personally, stay away from the chain schools in Foothill Ranch. The chain schools in RSM I've heard better things about.

Good luck!

bridetobe0jb · September 2008

We chose daycare center - there are pros and cons to both - my #1 fear is abuse and that's why I picked a center to ensure there are multiple onlookers (and even better a camera in the rooms). I realize the opportunity is still there but I feel it's significantly less. Also, if the provider is sick/on vacation/gets pregnant, I don't have to find a backup.

South OC recs - Montessori on the Lake in LF was weird to me. They made me whisper and it wasn't nap time. It seemed really run down and they bring in randoms to rock the babies. Also, it's in a shopping center where anyone can just walk into the classroom which didn't have locked doors.

I visited Woodcrest. While I've heard good referrals, my visit wasn't very good. Teachers were yelling at the kids meanly in the play yard when I walked up. This issue was later confirmed again by another mom that used to take her kids there after my incident. There were snack bags on the diaper changing area, showing me some cleanliness issues. There were a couple of other things that didn't sit well with me. They are accredited - but maybe I just had a bad visit.

I also visited Kindercare in Foothill Rch. I liked them ok. I found it odd they had so many spots open though. I also decided not to do care by my work, but would re-consider them if needed.

Calips · September 2008

1. What kind of childcare do you use? Nanny at my home

2. What do you like most about it?

Convenience (she arrived at my dorrsetp) and S gets the familiarity of her home, crib, etc. And my little girl gets individual attention. Now that she is older I do want her to have interaction with other kids but my sitter takes her to the park to meet other kids and nannies from 10-1 each day. She loves it and looks forward to it.

A nanny is, however, more expensive. Ranges from 10-18 an hour. I only have her 2 days a week and have my grandmother help the other three days. I also work from home so I am always nearby -- but I do hide on the days the nanny is here because3 Mom rules

3. Do you have any recs in South OC?

I don't. Sorry.

savannah11 · September 2008

1. We use an in-home daycare. 2. I always felt more comfortable with that setting as opposed to a center. We found a wonderful woman who's raised 8 kids of her own. One bonus is that it is much cheaper. 3. No recs but we found our home daycare provider through Orange County Childcare Association. They provide referrals to daycares that have openings. https://www.orangecountychildcareassociation.org/referralsnew.htm

cagap1 · September 2008

We decided on WoodCrest in Lake Forest and although I read the previous comment about WoodCrest, I have to say that my 2 visits (unannounced) were very different! We plan on taking my son there at 6 weeks (that is all I get off for maternity leave) and after visiting several schools in LF, MV and RSM, my husband and I felt most comfortable with WoodCrest. As also mentioned, they are nationally accredited which from working in a pre school for several years, is not easy to obtain. Also, there are not a lot of daycares in the South County Area that are. GL in your search

pompong · September 2008

Oh almost forgot, if you decide to go to daycare center. We checked out Goddard school in Ladera Ranch and loved them compare to Kindercare/ Montessori schools in LR area. Good luck with your search

beachbrideinCal · September 2008

1. in-home daycare for now. Used to do nanny.

2. I like that G gets the social experience with other kids. I also like that they do more structured learning activities. I like that I don't have to worry about the nanny being sick/late so that I can go to work and on time.

3. No

Tygerli11y · September 2008

Thanks everyone! I'm having a nanny come for a second interview tomorrow. I prefer the convienience but I'm scarred DS will be bored at home with her all day. I like the center idea because of the more "eyes" but I'm a little worried about all the bugs he may pick up there. Not opposed to in-home daycares either but I have visited like 5-7 and have not felt comfortable with one yet and I have no idea how one person can take care of 6 kids. This is hard! Thanks!

Want a personalized experience?

Poll: Childcare

Re: Poll: Childcare

Choose Another Board

Search Boards