Working Moms

Advice on home versus center daycare

Hi ladies, I have a ds who is 27 months old and dd who is 3.5 months old. I go back to work in 2 weeks and am dreading leaving dd. I went through this with ds too before I went back, and in fact we first had him in a center. Within 2 days we knew it was a terrible fit and we pulled him out. We found a great home daycare and that is where he is still at. That's also where dd is set to start. When ds started there, there was one other baby his age a few older kids. Ds and his buddy are still there and right when dd starts, this other little boy's new baby brother will start as well. There are a few other kids too, so basically this one provider will be watching 2 infants, 3 2 yr old boys, and then a few older kids. I am so nervous that this will be impossible to do well for just one woman. Either a baby has to be left screaming for too long or a toddler can be off on their own. And how does she leave them safely to go to the bathroom even? I have no idea why this is freaking me out now suddenly, but it is. There is a center near us that has rave reviews. It is a lot more money, but I'm less concerned about that. I all of a sudden am wondering if we'd be better off in a center, but I don't want to make the wrong choice, especially since ds is already settled where he is and it's all he's known. Any thoughts? I wish I could keep dd home until she's older : (
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Re: Advice on home versus center daycare

  • I'm a home daycare provider (in Reston VA actually), and I think you might be surprised how calm the day actually is, and how under control the kids usually are. I always explain to my friends who think I'm crazy that it's almost easier to watch multip

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  • I specifically picked a center for all your concerns.  I like knowing there are multiple caregivers should something go wrong or someone need a break.  And if I found out my breastfed baby was being fed in a bouncy chair every other feed inst

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  • I think you can get great care at an in-home, if you find the right one.  I have friends who used them and have nothing but positive things to say.  However I would not use one because I like the accountabi

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  • Just to clarify, the baby lying in a boppy pillow (not bouncy seat) was literally sitting on my lap. I would only do this in the event that they were both ready to be fed at the same moment, I was also holding the bottle, not propping it up in any way.

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    Biopsy Feb. 14

    ****EVERYONE WELCOME****
  • This is actually a very hard decision to make. While you may think a center has more caregivers, there are typically only 1 teacher per 5 children (state law in NC).  Therefore, you would still have the same concerns as to how they would go to the

  • StasiStasi member
    Are you saying the adult to child ratio is over 5:1? Seems a little high for my comfort, but I don't know the caregiver as well as you do. Have you expressed these concerns to the person watching your kids? Maybe she has a "game plan" or methods she plans
                                                                            
                                                          
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  • There are three babies in the DC room where DS is.  There are no older kids, but three babies is in my opinion similar to two babies and a couple older children.  DS has been fed in a boppy or seat, with the DCP holding the bottle....I see this
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  • Wait, are you saying one woman watches 5 kids under 2 + others? I see you're in Maryland, so I know this lady can not be licensed with a ratio like that. She may be very nice and caring, but I wouldn't be comfortable with that situation. Does she have

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  • imagececilyandgautam:

    Wait, are you saying one woman watches 5 kids under 2 + others? I see you're in Maryland, so I know this l

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  • imagececilyandgautam:

    Wait, are you saying one woman watches 5 kids under 2 + others? I see you're in Maryland, so I know this l

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  • My son has been at an in home since he was 14 weeks and next week is his last week because they are retiring.  It was run by husband and wife and they had 7 children, infants to 4 yrs.  For the most part I though it was great.  I never h

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  • Ok, so wait -

    1 woman will be watching 2 infants, 3 two year olds, and "a few" older kids?

    Nope.  Not a chance in hell I'd be comfortable with this.  Your concerns seem pretty valid to me.  How will she manage to do age

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  • imagececilyandgautam:
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  • Centers in Texas have a 1:4 ratio for the infant room. There has not been an infant room I looked into that did not have at least one child in a bouncy seat or high chair or swing when I observed with the sole exception of one montessori school. They d



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  • My DCP has a similar amount of kids and I don't understand how, but she seems to make it work seamlessly. She has a great open floor plan so there are multiple little stations for the kids to be doing different activities all within eyesight. She's got it
  • I really can not say center vs. home because DH and I are fortunate that we try to work opposite days and shifts, and use family on the days when we need them.

    However, I grew up going to an in-home and would opt for the same for my kids given th

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  • imagefuturemrsmcnichols:

    I really can not say center vs. home because DH and I are fortunate that we try to work opposite days a

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