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Am I expecting too much? Daycare related ? (Sorry, long)
DS is 19 months and has been with his current daycare for 7 months. We switched him from his first daycare due to many reasons, but mainly the new daycare was only 1 mile away (the other was 15 minutes), they were willing to work with my part-time schedule since they were brand new (but part of a large chain) and needed the kids, and I loved his room's teacher. We did like the old daycare, but were not that impressed with the teachers (they were okay) and room size, although the facility was nice and the director was good.
Fast-forward to today and we are less than impressed with the director and the broken promises that we have had. To begin, DS's first teacher left within two months (should have been a warning sign to me), however his new teacher is great and we really like her. She has been with the class for over 7 months (2 as an assistant) and truly loves the kids. However, she is now taking a new opportunity to go teach children in China, a worthwhile cause and an experience I can't blame her for taking. The teacher they have decided to replace her with is definitely not what I would have picked. She seems okay (is a current assistant), but does not have a lot of experience in leading a class. Second issue (and bigger issue) I have is that the "preschool playground" that the Young Toddlers use is not even covered, even though it was promised last fall that they would have one up! In the hot Texas sun, a cover is definitely needed so that the kids can actually play on the playground. Third (and biggest issue), the director has decided that the playground equipment is too "old" for this Young Toddler and Preschool kids, so they have moved them to a concrete patio that is covered. The preschool playground is not too old for them, in fact DS plays on bigger equipment than that at our park. I cannot even begin to describe how upset this makes me. We are paying a premium to take him to this place and one thing that kids need is space to run around. DS has not slept well in two weeks and I attribute this to his lack of physical activity at daycare. I feel like the daycre is no longer holding up to their end of the bargain. I am meeting with the director this afternoon to discuss the teacher, playground, and cover issues. Am I expecting too much?
To complicate the issue, I am due with my second in 5 months. I have not decided fully whether or not to go back to work, though I am leaning towards going back. However, I do not feel comfortable leavning my infant with this facility based on a number of reasons mentioned above. I hesitate to switch DS to another new daycare (the first transition was awful and took a month to really get DS comfortable) if he is only going to be there another 5 months (if I decide to stay home). So I am kind of stuck and want to make this daycare work if possible.
Another shady thing about them is that I can never get a clear answer on their rates and what programs that they offer. My last daycare had a sheet with all of their options (part-time at 2 yrs old, rate was x), but this one simply writes down the rates on the back of a piece of paper and is very general with which programs that they offer. For instance, I asked if they have any mornings only programs for a friend a month ago (she was looking for some MDO's options) and they gave me those rates. However, when I went back to ask them about DS's options if I decide to not go back to work two weeks later, they said they do not even offer a morning-only programs. When I confronted them on the differing information, they said, well that was what was available at the time, and we don't know what we will have in six months. yes, I understand that availability changes, however they should have a consistent set of offerings (part-time, full-time for x age groups). Any advice on what to do would be appreciated. TIA!
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Re: Am I expecting too much? Daycare related ? (Sorry, long)
They sound like they're all over the place and since they're a new center, even though they're a chain, they haven't worked out the kinks. I would go look at other options like maybe an in-home or other centers to see if you like another one better. While it wouldn't be fun to switch again, if the care during the day is better than it will be well worth it.
At our center, the toddlers can't play on the preschool playground until they turn 2 but my DS was super bored on the toddler playground from about 20-24 months until he could switch.
Would your DS be switching classes at 2 and then be able to use the playground? you're in a tough situation and there's only so much you can discuss with the director.
Also, I would think that's a violation to not have a payment schedule. They could adjust the rates at any time. They should be upfront about what all the parents are paying.
If you have to post this, then you already know the answer. Find another place.