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Daycare Dilemma (long, sorry)

Karla CSKarla CS member
in Working Moms

When searching for a daycare, we had a really hard time finding a place. Our neighbors (who we don’t know) have an unlicensed daycare, that our other neighbors we do know are using and like. At the time, they didn’t have any infant openings, and didn’t expect to have any for over a year. We searched all the local licensed home daycares and found two with openings, but determined that neither was a good fit, (and to be honest, one that scared me off home daycares. Seriously, the woman was super weird and told a bald faced lie to me that was easily confirmed as false. And it wasn’t even a lie about her daycare, just a random lie - she said her friends daycare in a neighboring town had recently had someone break in and shoot two of the kids.. Which is TERRIBLE but also something that would have made headline news!) In the end, we found a great center, and it’s been working out really well.

Last week we found out the neighbors has an opening if we want it. And while I want it based on convenience and price, I really like where she’s at. I feel like we’ve gotten into a great rhythm there, and they have tons of activities and a great curriculum for when she’s older (which doesn't really come into play right now), which I know the neighbors don’t have. (Our friend’s complaint with the home daycare is that their child never comes home with any drawings or pictures or crafts) My gut is to leave her where she is, and DH is supportive of leaving her in the center, but I’m really struggling with the fact that we could be paying half as much.  If we’d been there a few more months, we’d have a better handle on how it would affect our finances, but if we wait a few more months, the spot likely won’t be available.

Any thoughts or advice or suggestions? I’m not sure why I’m having such a dilemma with this decision, but it’s really weighing on me. 

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Re: Daycare Dilemma (long, sorry)

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    thedashthedash member
    I think the biggest factor is whether the center is within your budget and we just don't know the answer to that. It sounds like you prefer the center and I can see why. Are you planning to move LO to a preschool type setting eventually? If yes then the in-home may be fine for while she's an infant.
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    Karla CSKarla CS member
    It's in our budget, we're just not saving as much as we normally would. We're definitely not having to cut corners to keep her there though.
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    litzo27litzo27 member
    I would keep her in the center she is at now. I would hate to lose a spot at a place I like if it could turn out that the other won't work well. Plus I prefer licensed places.
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    mariamariamariamaria member
    Having just had to make childcare decisions in the past week, I don't envy you. I think I'd leave her where she is. If you like it and feel good about her being at the center, and you feel like you've got some rhythm going I'd definitely stick it out.
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    st.augbridest.augbride member
    I'd stay put, especially if it is a center that she can be at through preschool years. We just switched from a home to a center and while WAY more expensive, it's worth it for us.
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    Karla CSKarla CS member
    Thanks ladies.. I think sometimes I just need to hear that what may not be the most economical decision can also be the right decision. I just find myself getting emotional and not really thinking straight and engaging in a lovely game of mental mast.. =X

    We had a long talk tonight. DH is so supportive of her staying at the center that I just thought he was trying to be supportive of my decision, but turns out, he's just not that keen on the idea of a home daycare either. Turns out crazy lady and the first home daycare we toured turned him off the notion entirely.
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    LoCarbLoCarb member
    If it isn't broke, don't fix it. I would choose licensed v unlicensed any day.
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    cedentoncedenton member
    I agree with everyone else. Also consider that if things went south at the neighbor's you'd have to see them all the time. Don't mix business and home (if you can help it).
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    jbatchjbatch member
    I'd stay with licensed over unlicensed..


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    2chatter2chatter member
    I honestly don't understand what would motivate anyone to use an unlicensed center as full time care.  Licensed centers have some scary violations; I just have to be able to see that wherever my child will be five days a week plays by the rules.
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    ljanette85ljanette85 member
    If you can stay at the current place I would. It sounds like your lo is happy. if it doesn't work out with the neighbors and you leave will it cause awkwardness?
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