Day care question

Suebee8 · May 2013

For those of you who have your LO at an in-home daycare, how did you decide where to put them? What were your deciding factors? Price, hours, personality, education level? We are moving DD out of her current center into an in-home within the next few months and I am having difficulty trying to decide what is best for her. Is it loaction closer to me at work or closer to home? or any of the above factors? Any thoughts would be appeciated, thanks!

TJ1979 · May 2013

I can't answer the in home stuff. But I thought I'd give you my take on location.
Our pedi is near our house, so I wanted her DC near our house too. Also, if I were extremely sick such as the flu and incapable of taking care of her and MH had to go to work, it's easy for him to take her on his way, or for me to quickly run her up there before goin back to bed. Also, we split drop off and pick up, so by the house is better than by my work.
Those are the factors we considered. GL picking a new DC!

Suebee8 · May 2013

TJ1979:
I can't answer the in home stuff. But I thought I'd give you my take on location. Our pedi is near our house, so I wanted her DC near our house too. Also, if I were extremely sick such as the flu and incapable of taking care of her and MH had to go to work, it's easy for him to take her on his way, or for me to quickly run her up there before goin back to bed. Also, we split drop off and pick up, so by the house is better than by my work. Those are the factors we considered. GL picking a new DC!

All great points, thanks TJ!

It is so hard to decide. She is currently at a center on the campus where I work and while she has been small it has been great, giving me the opportunity to visit her at lunch. But now that she is getting older and learning and developing so much I want to make sure she has the best chance to learn. The current center has a history of a lot of teacher turn over and that is not in her best interest. She also does nap well there, I am lucky if she gets 2- half hour naps yet she sleeps for 2 one to 1.5 hour naps at home.

We have 2-3 more places to visit and meet the providers. I hope it becomes more clear after our visits are complete!

TJ1979 · May 2013

Suebee8:
TJ1979:
I can't answer the in home stuff. But I thought I'd give you my take on location. Our pedi is near our house, so I wanted her DC near our house too. Also, if I were extremely sick such as the flu and incapable of taking care of her and MH had to go to work, it's easy for him to take her on his way, or for me to quickly run her up there before goin back to bed. Also, we split drop off and pick up, so by the house is better than by my work. Those are the factors we considered. GL picking a new DC!

All great points, thanks TJ!

It is so hard to decide. She is currently at a center on the campus where I work and while she has been small it has been great, giving me the opportunity to visit her at lunch. But now that she is getting older and learning and developing so much I want to make sure she has the best chance to learn. The current center has a history of a lot of teacher turn over and that is not in her best interest. She also does nap well there, I am lucky if she gets 2- half hour naps yet she sleeps for 2 one to 1.5 hour naps at home.

We have 2-3 more places to visit and meet the providers. I hope it becomes more clear after our visits are complete!

That was my experience. We just knew that the one we chose was a FAR better fit for our family than any of the others we looked at. GL!

KaliChick · May 2013

I own a preschool center and always said I'd only put him in a center and then I found my in home daycare. I don't care for children under 2.5 years so it's not an option to have him with me.

We live about 20-30 minutes from my preschool and I have him in daycare about 3 minutes away from the school. There were a couple of factors for me ... I wanted as much time with him as possible, even if it's in the car. I also get the added bonus of getting to use the carpool lane (which in Southern Cal is a huge plus). Also, I wanted to be a 3 minute drive away if something happened rather than a 20-30.

I noticed someone said they wanted them closer to the pediatrician but that was never a factor for me. If I have to drive the 30 minutes to pick him up or 30 minutes to the pediatrician, it's all 30 minutes away. However, we are fortunate that if necessary there is another pedi's office right by daycare we can use.

The only negative has been when I have an appointment in the morning that's closer to the house or in the middle. It's not super convenient to take him to daycare and then backtrack.

I also find it interesting that as she's getting older you're moving her to an in home. In my experience it's almost always the other way around.

Suebee8 · May 2013

KaliChick:

I own a preschool center and always said I'd only put him in a center and then I found my in home daycare. I don't care for children under 2.5 years so it's not an option to have him with me.

We live about 20-30 minutes from my preschool and I have him in daycare about 3 minutes away from the school. There were a couple of factors for me ... I wanted as much time with him as possible, even if it's in the car. I also get the added bonus of getting to use the carpool lane (which in Southern Cal is a huge plus). Also, I wanted to be a 3 minute drive away if something happened rather than a 20-30.

I noticed someone said they wanted them closer to the pediatrician but that was never a factor for me. If I have to drive the 30 minutes to pick him up or 30 minutes to the pediatrician, it's all 30 minutes away. However, we are fortunate that if necessary there is another pedi's office right by daycare we can use.

The only negative has been when I have an appointment in the morning that's closer to the house or in the middle. It's not super convenient to take him to daycare and then backtrack.

I also find it interesting that as she's getting older you're moving her to an in home. In my experience it's almost always the other way around.

Could you elaborate a little for me on this? I am curious why it would be the other way around. My thoughts are now that she is getting a bit older I would like her to have a bit more individualized attention. My experience with our center is that it is always chaotic and never any true teaching/learning going on, especially with the high teacher turn over, there is no consistency.

I am curious about the other side of the argument. TIA

ccam · May 2013

KaliChick:

I own a preschool center and always said I'd only put him in a center and then I found my in home daycare. I don't care for children under 2.5 years so it's not an option to have him with me.

We live about 20-30 minutes from my preschool and I have him in daycare about 3 minutes away from the school. There were a couple of factors for me ... I wanted as much time with him as possible, even if it's in the car. I also get the added bonus of getting to use the carpool lane (which in Southern Cal is a huge plus). Also, I wanted to be a 3 minute drive away if something happened rather than a 20-30.

I noticed someone said they wanted them closer to the pediatrician but that was never a factor for me. If I have to drive the 30 minutes to pick him up or 30 minutes to the pediatrician, it's all 30 minutes away. However, we are fortunate that if necessary there is another pedi's office right by daycare we can use.

The only negative has been when I have an appointment in the morning that's closer to the house or in the middle. It's not super convenient to take him to daycare and then backtrack.

I also find it interesting that as she's getting older you're moving her to an in home. In my experience it's almost always the other way around.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Have you thought about also checking out some other centers as well?

DS goes to a center and they actually have a curriculum when he gets into the older rooms, but from what I've heard, in-home daycares are more of a "babysitter" type setting. Obviously, that might not be true for every in-home daycare though.

In-home daycares can have such a wide variety of ages, that I would think teaching them would be quite difficult. Whereas centers are usually divided by age like a classroom would be. An in-home might have more of a one-on-one type feel though since they are with the same person.

TXwife9 · May 2013

ccam:
KaliChick:

I own a preschool center and always said I'd only put him in a center and then I found my in home daycare. I don't care for children under 2.5 years so it's not an option to have him with me.

We live about 20-30 minutes from my preschool and I have him in daycare about 3 minutes away from the school. There were a couple of factors for me ... I wanted as much time with him as possible, even if it's in the car. I also get the added bonus of getting to use the carpool lane (which in Southern Cal is a huge plus). Also, I wanted to be a 3 minute drive away if something happened rather than a 20-30.

I noticed someone said they wanted them closer to the pediatrician but that was never a factor for me. If I have to drive the 30 minutes to pick him up or 30 minutes to the pediatrician, it's all 30 minutes away. However, we are fortunate that if necessary there is another pedi's office right by daycare we can use.

The only negative has been when I have an appointment in the morning that's closer to the house or in the middle. It's not super convenient to take him to daycare and then backtrack.

I also find it interesting that as she's getting older you're moving her to an in home. In my experience it's almost always the other way around.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Have you thought about also checking out some other centers as well?

DS goes to a center and they actually have a curriculum when he gets into the older rooms, but from what I've heard, in-home daycares are more of a "babysitter" type setting. Obviously, that might not be true for every in-home daycare though.

In-home daycares can have such a wide variety of ages, that I would think teaching them would be quite difficult. Whereas centers are usually divided by age like a classroom would be. An in-home might have more of a one-on-one type feel though since they are with the same person.

This was my same thought. The center that DD goes to has a structured curriculum just like in school. As she gets older she moves up to the next classroom. She essentially always stays with the same group of kids, but they move up at different times. She has absolutely thrived there.

My niece goes to an in home and there is a night and day difference in her and DD. I know that all in-home daycares are different but the one that my niece goes to does not have any type of structured teaching environment from what my SIL has told me. The children range from 2 months to 8 years old so I think that would definitely make it harder. I know as an infant she received more personalized care, but as she is getting older she's doing more "playing" than anything.

KaliChick · May 2013

Suebee8:
KaliChick:

I own a preschool center and always said I'd only put him in a center and then I found my in home daycare. I don't care for children under 2.5 years so it's not an option to have him with me.

We live about 20-30 minutes from my preschool and I have him in daycare about 3 minutes away from the school. There were a couple of factors for me ... I wanted as much time with him as possible, even if it's in the car. I also get the added bonus of getting to use the carpool lane (which in Southern Cal is a huge plus). Also, I wanted to be a 3 minute drive away if something happened rather than a 20-30.

I noticed someone said they wanted them closer to the pediatrician but that was never a factor for me. If I have to drive the 30 minutes to pick him up or 30 minutes to the pediatrician, it's all 30 minutes away. However, we are fortunate that if necessary there is another pedi's office right by daycare we can use.

The only negative has been when I have an appointment in the morning that's closer to the house or in the middle. It's not super convenient to take him to daycare and then backtrack.

I also find it interesting that as she's getting older you're moving her to an in home. In my experience it's almost always the other way around.

Could you elaborate a little for me on this? I am curious why it would be the other way around. My thoughts are now that she is getting a bit older I would like her to have a bit more individualized attention. My experience with our center is that it is always chaotic and never any true teaching/learning going on, especially with the high teacher turn over, there is no consistency.

I am curious about the other side of the argument. TIA

The other gals have pretty much said my thoughts but I'll say mine anyway.

Your daughter is still young. When I say they typically move from in home to center, that is usually around 2.5-3 years old. There are several reasons. Most in home daycares have between 4-12 kids of varying ages (mine has 4 all under 2) and there isn't a ton of learning going on. My son loves our DCP. He plays a ton, gets interaction with kids, but I don't think there's a ton of "learning" going on. I'm not sure how much I'd really expect at 13 months though so it's pretty on par with what I'd think. The 2 year olds are coloring a bit and she does work with colors some, but I don't think there's much "learning." At the same time, I don't really feel that at under 2 they need much "learning." They learn through playing and doing. I love that she lets them outside and they can play in the grass, water, slides, etc. That's what he needs. Not someone teaching him letters at 2.

As for individual attention... again I totally think that depends on the size of the daycare. I intentionally did not put Bren with a DCP that had more than 6 kids. In California, they can have up to 8 without having a helper, but the ages are no more than 2 under 2, and I think it's 2 that have to be Kinder or older (don't hold me to that). After 8 they need a helper. If they have more than 2 under 2, then they can only have 4 total. Which is why I chose ours. He does get individual attention. The kids in ours are 25 months, 23 months, 13.5 months (Bren), 10 months and 9 months (the 2 little ones are part time so there's only 4 per day). So all relatively close in age.

Once the child hits 2.5-3 they typically just need more than an in home provider can give them. They need more structure, play time with kids their own age, activities, etc. In our preschool program, 2.5-3 year olds still play the majority of the day, but we also work on songs, fingerplay, art, colors, letters, shapes, numbers ... it's just more structured.

I also totally get why you don't want her in a center. I never loved the idea of a center for my baby, but thought it was better "regulated" than an in home. When I started talking to my staff that has taught in centers, I quickly realized it wasn't all it cracked up to be. Sure, there's more eyes and ears watching, but their restrictions are pretty great too. I love having B in a home where he has all the comforts he does in our own house. He has free access to toys, they are outside a lot, she has tree swings, etc. I couldn't find that in a center. I also have found that in a lot of centers, the infant staff changes frequently. I just didn't feel it was right for my family but I have friends who absolutely love it for their kids.

Hope that helps a bit!

firewife9278 · May 2013

TXwife9:
ccam:
KaliChick:

I own a preschool center and always said I'd only put him in a center and then I found my in home daycare. I don't care for children under 2.5 years so it's not an option to have him with me.

We live about 20-30 minutes from my preschool and I have him in daycare about 3 minutes away from the school. There were a couple of factors for me ... I wanted as much time with him as possible, even if it's in the car. I also get the added bonus of getting to use the carpool lane (which in Southern Cal is a huge plus). Also, I wanted to be a 3 minute drive away if something happened rather than a 20-30.

I noticed someone said they wanted them closer to the pediatrician but that was never a factor for me. If I have to drive the 30 minutes to pick him up or 30 minutes to the pediatrician, it's all 30 minutes away. However, we are fortunate that if necessary there is another pedi's office right by daycare we can use.

The only negative has been when I have an appointment in the morning that's closer to the house or in the middle. It's not super convenient to take him to daycare and then backtrack.

I also find it interesting that as she's getting older you're moving her to an in home. In my experience it's almost always the other way around.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Have you thought about also checking out some other centers as well?

DS goes to a center and they actually have a curriculum when he gets into the older rooms, but from what I've heard, in-home daycares are more of a "babysitter" type setting. Obviously, that might not be true for every in-home daycare though.

In-home daycares can have such a wide variety of ages, that I would think teaching them would be quite difficult. Whereas centers are usually divided by age like a classroom would be. An in-home might have more of a one-on-one type feel though since they are with the same person.

This was my same thought. The center that DD goes to has a structured curriculum just like in school. As she gets older she moves up to the next classroom. She essentially always stays with the same group of kids, but they move up at different times. She has absolutely thrived there.

My niece goes to an in home and there is a night and day difference in her and DD. I know that all in-home daycares are different but the one that my niece goes to does not have any type of structured teaching environment from what my SIL has told me. The children range from 2 months to 8 years old so I think that would definitely make it harder. I know as an infant she received more personalized care, but as she is getting older she's doing more "playing" than anything.

I adore the center DD goes to. The structure is amazing and while there can be some turnover with the teachers, most of the lead teachers are very consistent. Plus, the standard curriculum and daily schedule make for easy transitions when the teachers do change.

As for location, we chose a location about 10min from my work. We live about 45min from where I work, and DH works about 45min from home also - in the opposite direction. If we get a call during the day because she gets sick at daycare, you only have 30min to pick them up (and that's most centers in this area). So we needed somewhere either near my work or near DH's work, but because he is out on fire calls etc during the day and often can't be reached, it made more sense to put her in a daycare near me.

Suebee8 · May 2013

Thank you all for your thoughts and prespectives. This gives us good input to help form our decision. Thanks so much!

srveatch · May 2013

mg0202:
I love our in home center. Our county has a website with certified daycares. They are inspected regularly, are cpr certified, and have to take classes. From the website we typed in our zip code and found people by us. We then started calling and had a list of questions like no pets, backyard to play in, etc.. From there we interviewed. Go when the kids are there so you can see the interaction. We luckily found one that is across the street which is very convienent. I would suggest closer to home versus work.

srveatch · May 2013

srveatch:
mg0202:
I love our in home center. Our county has a website with certified daycares. They are inspected regularly, are cpr certified, and have to take classes. From the website we typed in our zip code and found people by us. We then started calling and had a list of questions like no pets, backyard to play in, etc.. From there we interviewed. Go when the kids are there so you can see the interaction. We luckily found one that is across the street which is very convienent. I would suggest closer to home versus work.

This... please make sure you research and either know someone who has used them or make sure they are certified. Day Care centers are monitored but in home is not regulated unless tehy are licensed or certified.

KaliChick · May 2013

srveatch:
srveatch:
mg0202:
I love our in home center. Our county has a website with certified daycares. They are inspected regularly, are cpr certified, and have to take classes. From the website we typed in our zip code and found people by us. We then started calling and had a list of questions like no pets, backyard to play in, etc.. From there we interviewed. Go when the kids are there so you can see the interaction. We luckily found one that is across the street which is very convienent. I would suggest closer to home versus work.

This... please make sure you research and either know someone who has used them or make sure they are certified. Day Care centers are monitored but in home is not regulated unless tehy are licensed or certified.

Oh I most definitely agree with this! Just ask them for their license number. You should be able to call the licensing agency and ask for an "incident report" on them as well.

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