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katpres06
member
Long - Help me determine the important factors re: daycares
katpres06
member
DH and I are absolutely stuck at picking a daycare. Ours is closing 7/1, and we need to pick one soon. Right now we've narrowed it down to 2. I can't, for the life of me, pick between the two. I think I'm not thinking clearly about it. I'm so stuck on the fact that ours is closing. I could walk to our current daycare. So, to me, nothing is going to be as good, because of convenience! Price isn't an issue, as we'll be paying the same amount at either. Both had similar, fine reviews and no major infractions. They both provide the same things in terms of supplies and food. We live in Monroe. DH works in Lebanon and I work in West Chester. Here are the run down of each:
A. Located in Lebanon. I liked it as soon as we walked in. I liked the director and most of the staff had been there for a long time. It's not a super fancy facility, but it was comfortable and home-like. DH would have to bring him to daycare every day (meaning DH would have to leave earlier). He would need to be picked up at 6 (which usually isn't an issue). If my MIL had to pick Alex up because he was sick, it would be longer for her to drive. I'll have to go out of my way, from WC to Lebanon back to Monroe to pick him up since DH gets off work at 6pm. It will take my 25 min to get there, and another 20 to get home. So 45 min, as opposed to the 30 now. Plus the extra gas. DH doesn't work on Monday's, but does work around the house and sometimes side jobs. He might have to limit that if he has to go up to Lebanon to drop Alex off for just a few hours.
B. Located in West Chester, on my way to work and about 10 min down the road from our house. DH liked the director and liked the facility. I did not like the director, as she put me off 2 different times for a tour, and I had to schedule a tour. DH went there, and she would not let him take a tour due to staffing issues. I get things happen, but that makes me feel 'iffy'. DH could easily take him there on Monday's if he needed to do things around the house. It's closer for MIL to get him if needed (and she frequently does). The staff seems younger, and the turn over is high. It's a nice place, I was just super put off by the way I was treated. I stopped a mom in the parking lot to ask her, and she was pleased with her experience. It's a newer facility, with some fancy amenities that I could do with out.
Bottom line - if location A was closer it would be a hands down winner. DH would pick location B if it were up to him. He likes the location, and the fact that he doesn't have to take him in the morning. There's nothing wrong with B. I just felt more comfortable with location A.
Why, oh why can't I make a decision?!? I know there are bigger things to be worrying about, but this blows.
If anyone has any input, I could really use it about now.
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Re: Long - Help me determine the important factors re: daycares
I plead the 5th.
Good luck with your decision.
Is continuing your search on option? That is what I would recommend but obviously I don't have any experience with DC but I would not want to put DS somewhere that gave me an iffy feeling or somewhere that I felt put off even before he started attending-- in my opinion that is not a good sign. While it had a mom in the parking lot that was pleased you never know what her standard of care is-- I tend to forget that not all parents are as vigilant/tuned in to their children as I am (and the women on this board are).
As for the Lebanon location, it seems like you have a lot of concerns and can forsee more than 1 problem simply because of location. I would keep it on the list as a back up and a maybe if there really aren't any other options but I would maybe keep searching. In the end I would pick the place that I felt most comfortable with over the more convenient place if I had to pick between those 2 options.
This. I would rule out #2 because of the "staffing issues" that prevented her from giving a tour...what does that even mean? To me, that would be a heads up that something was possibly being violated at that time and she didn't want you to see it-- maybe the ratios were off that day or something. I think daycares should be willing to at least walk someone through without a formal tour any time. Unless she was teaching in a classroom at that moment, it's not really a reasonable excuse. Convenience is great, but in my mind, it's not worth having that horrible feeling while you're working that maybe things aren't 100% copacetic.
I'd keep looking, but if you love #1 and nothing is closer, I'd go with #1. I drive well out of my way to get DD every day-- 20 minutes to get there, 20 minutes to get home-- but it is worth my peace of mind to know that she is safe and happy every single minute of the day.
I'd keep looking and also keep #1 as a backup.
#2 is a no for me. Anytime a potential daycare is unwilling to let you go back and look- any time of the day- is a heads up that something is very wrong. Hopefully Hayley will chime in and offer some insights into different centers as she has some experience. Moreover, your gut tells you no and trust your gut.
For me, you want a daycare that is reasonably convenient in terms of location. When you're paying for it, any sort of excessive drive is not worth it IMO.
Let me tell you a little about our child care set up. B goes to day care 2 days/week. The other days he goes to my MIL's house. MIL lives near Fields Ertel Rd; we live near Eastgate. So, if dh works from home (which he does a decent amount of time), he has to drive B to MILs (30 minutes there and 30 minutes back), and I have to go from my work to MILs (15-20 minutes out of my way) to turn around and head back home (30 minutes). So essentially we spend almost 2 hours in the car on these days. If the price wasn't right and more importantly the value of really knowing Grandma well wasn't there, I'd find somewhere else. Instead of playing with B, I'm talking with him in the car and he's spending an hour in the car instead of 5-10 minutes between our house and daycare. The drive is really wearing on DH and I, and we are hopefully going to be moving to that part of town in the next few years (we just need the housing market to bounce back a little before we go look).
I'm sure there are centers near you that are convenient... that kind of drive would get old real fast.
I think this is my issue. I'm so spoiled by having my daycare practically in my backyard. I think I need to expand my search. I've looked at every place on the way to my and DH's work. But I think I need to branch out a little as far as location goes, but still work for us.
Honestly, thanks ladies for your input. I appreciate it.
The high turnover would concern me greatly. I would rather drive way out of my way than deal with that. (Some parents at G's center drive from Northside, Blue Ash, and Oakley all the way to Mason.)
Before you choose a center ask them if you can come in an observe in the classroom (with or without your child) for half an hour to see if you get a better sense for the "feel" of the place. Good luck!
Often times when a staff member is out the administrative staff can step into a classroom to cover the ratio. I can understand turning away an unscheduled tour if it was during naptime when it was not a good time to interrupt the classrooms or it was during lunch prep when possibly several staff members were working in the kitchen or otherwise occupied in a center/child related task. I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that the center is hiding something.