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May 2012 Moms
ljtvirkus
member
Childcare
ljtvirkus
member
FTM here. I know everyone is going to have their own opinion but regarding child care what are the most important things to look for? We still haven't decided whether we are going to do an in-home daycare or a center. My DH was dead set on a center and we visited one yesterday that we really didn't like. I think that might have changed his mind and now we might look into in-home daycares more but, I don't know. I have worked in daycares and thought I would know all the right things to ask but I was just over whelmed. Suggestions?
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Re: Childcare
There are pros and cons to both. Your child is usually less likely to get sick in an in home day care, but there is also usually more structure in a center. I'd totally go and look at both and go with your gut. You might find a great in home one that your husband loves.
I think it's important to look and see is it clean? How do they do meals? Is it consistantly nuggets and mac and cheese or do they have fresh fruits and veggies? Ask to talk to parents and see how they feel about things. They will usually have references availible. Are they flexible with times that you need them to be open or do they take every weird holiday off leaving you without coverage? If it's in home, what do they do if the provider is sick? Do they find a replacement for you? What type of structure do they have? Do they do time outs? What are their infant ratio? How do they handle breast milk/formula? Do their cribs look safe, secure and up to code?
I think you'll find the right place by going with your gut. Good luck on your search!
2012
2012
I am a teacher, but have also worked in daycare centers. For me I have worked in some fabulous centers and some not so great one's. I could not justify paying the cost for a center if the quality of care was not up to par so we are going with an in-home daycare.
I like that although in-home daycares have to meet certain standards there seems to be more flexibility in meeting your needs for your child. They were also really willing to be flexible with my schedule as a teacher (not paying in the summer or for full weeks off, etc). I like that my child, even as a baby, will get to go outside every day which I have only seen in one out of the many centers I have worked at. I was also happy with the food that our LO will be eating. Many of the centers we looked at serve very limited fresh fruit/veggies and the daycare we are using does a ton of fresh food.
Having worked in child care the search was harder for me than I thought it would be. I think it was just going to a lot of places and finding the one that gave us the best feeling (as silly as that seems) and knowing that our LO will be safe there.
DD was in commerical daycare from 6w until 3years, and again from 5years until she was old enough to stay home alone. She was in home care from 3-5 while I did shift work.
Both have their advantages. Her sitter taught her some Spanish, how to write her name, and was available 24/7. But, the daycares taught her to play with others, they have more structure, and because they're exposed to everything under the sun, are less likely to get sick at school. They offer field trips in the summer, and during the school year, make sure the kids do their homework before they can play outside. I also liked having her in a day care that she didn't have to change once she started school. I prefer commercial care. But, that is just my opinion.
A note: home providers can have unexpected sudden closures. Mine passed away, devastating my daughter, and leaving me in a total lurch. (Once I got past the shock of her dying, I'm not callous). They also tend to be closed a few times a years for vacation or non-standard holidays, something a commerical provider won't do.
H and I have started looking at childcare and it's clear that we really prefer centers. There's more structure, more opportunity to interact with others and more staff just in case they need back up. Our baby is going to be in childcare until they go to school and it seemed like the centers made sure to teach them things: colors, counting, writing their name, reading. The one we like the most even taught sign language basics.
The Princess of Anything is Coming!
Had a dream I was queen.
Woke up. Still queen.
I am 100% committed to using a center instead of in-home because of the childcare laws in our state being among the worst in the country. The laws regarding in-home childcare are practically non-existent, with in-home daycares of 6 or fewer children (not counting the children of the owner) being completely unregulated. There have been three babies that died in in-home daycares this year because the adult was letting them nap on couches or beds.
If I knew someone who ran an in-home daycare, it would be different, and I'd look into it. But I feel like I can't leave my baby with a stranger when I'm in a state that provides no oversight and doesn't require training.I know that not all states are like this and some require rigorous training and strict regulations for licensed in-home daycares, so I'd be open to it if I lived in an area where that was the case.
We looked into my husband's employer's private daycare and absolutely loved it. It's really expensive for us but I was so impressed with it and would not have any fears about leaving my daughter there.
I think when you find the right place that you're comfortable with, you'll know it.
This is very true. In-homes can usually provider more personalized, one on one care, however if they get sick or take time off, the program may very well be closed unless she uses an assistant.
This is very true. In-homes can usually provider more personalized, one on one care, however if they get sick or take time off, the program may very well be closed unless she uses an assistant.