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Daycare

Mrs. Sarah&MicahMrs. Sarah&Micah
in Minnesota Babies

Since I am new to this board and being pregnant, I was wondering about daycares. DH and I would like to do an at home daycare versus one of those chain places. I need advice/ideas/support.

When should I start looking? Where should I start looking? What do I look for? Anything I should know?

Thanks Ladies!

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Re: Daycare

  • mrs.razmrs.raz member

    We just started to look into daycare options over the last month or so.  Most people will tell you about 6 months before you will need the daycare.  We are also leaning towards home daycare because I will only need part time. 

    A couple of things to keep in mind with home daycares.

    1.  They can usually only have 1 or 2 infants.  The spots fill up very quickly especially if they already have an exisiting family that is expanding.

    2.  Some are just "babysitters" and really do not have any kind of structure or programs.  You will obviously pay more for someone that does programs, etc.

    3.  Don't be afraid to stop in and check it out when they don't know you are coming.  Existing families get comfortable and over look the smaller stuff.  Is the house clean?  Are the kids going crazy?  Are they being supervised or on their own?  Are they sitting in front of the TV?

    4.  If the provider is sick, you need to find alternative options.  The same goes for vacations, etc. 

    5.  Are they licensed?  If so, check out the county website for any complaints or issues.  Don't be afraid to ask for references.  Ask about their turnover.

    That is what I can think of right now.  We did interview a couple centers but  it would cost more than what I am currently making at my part time job!

     

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  • Janell's NestJanell's Nest

    Mrs. Raz's points are all very good and I'd suggest going to MNchildcare.org, from there you can do a search of your area for licnesed providers.  You can also call them up and they'll mail you a list of the same ones. 

    We seriously considered moving DS from a center to an in-home but it was nearly impossible to find someone who could do it with the price difference that we felt comfortable with.  We ended up negotiating a lower fee with our center (small new place not kindercare type place) and we kept him there.

    I just found after searching and only finding one in-home that it wasn't worth the lost sleep I'd get every night worrying whether he was ok in an in-home setting or not.

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  • maddi08maddi08
    Try e-mailing or calling your local elementary school.  Sometimes they have a list of who families use.
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  • Kimee13Kimee13
    We're going with one of those "chain" places or centers as I like to call them after 2 friends had horrible "accidents" at an at-home setting(different states and they thoroughly researched these sitters).  Centers are more expensive, but so worth it for the convenience of hours, the classroom experience, and the number of employees that are available throughout the day - one person being cooped up in a house with a bunch of screaming kids and noone to relieve them scares me.
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  • stromtobestromtobe

    I would look at MN childcare and start calling now because as others stated finding a good in-home with an infant opening can be a challenge.

     We have been at centers but not chain centers (not that I am opposed to them, just have found some smaller centers to work better for us).  Keep your options open and tour/meet with lots of people. 

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