Daycare fears

AmySmolos · August 2013

I mentioned last week that our in home babysitters charge 1000 a month and we can't afford that now that ds needs their full time. We talked to them and they refused to budge on price. I did research out area and their price is high especially since they don't do summers and their pick up is by 4. So a church daycare close by offers 12 hours and three meals for 175 a week or 700 a month. A lot better. I'm totally freaking out though. We tour it tomorrow but I'm freaked about ds being in a large daycare. Will he nap? Will he be expected to only do one nap a day because he is no where near that yet! Will he sleep with the noise of other kids? Will he nap in a crib still? Will he learn bad habits? Will he be cared for and loved? Will he be safe? Will he be afraid? And it goes on and on.

So daycare mommas help me! Tell me he will be ok! What positives do you have? I can't imagine this. He's very timid of new people and situations. How am I going to leave him? Ugg. I need a drink.

sammiesjd414 · August 2013

sarzer121 said:

I love our center. (I'm pro center, in homes make me nervous). The socialization and educational aspect is amazing. The teachers are fabulous and they hold eachother accountable. You can tell they care and I like the community. Seriously, I think there will be an adjustment but ultimately I think you'll like it. Ask all questions you have on the tour tomorrow and follow your instinct. Good luck!!

These are all great points. We love our daycare center. DD is about to transfer to the next room, and we are nervous about many similar things as you. She will be expected to have one nap a day and nap on a mat, not a crib. I asked them about it, and they said she can nap as much as needed, and they have cribs available if she has trouble sleeping on the floor. Ask them all your crazy mum questions. They are used to it and their job is to make you and your child feel at home. I 100% think daycare has been good for DD, and they can be flexible and adjust to what your child needs.

ccam · August 2013

DS is doing fabulous in his center. Now that we've had some experience in one, I don't know that I'd even consider an in-home. I really like that he's with a group of kids his age and he loves his teachers. I also like the fact that as he gets older, they have a real curriculum there.

I was so worried about naps since everything happens in the same room, but they learn to adapt. He definitely naps better at home and the beginning was a big transition, but he takes two naps there and comes home in a good mood. Some days he's more tired than others, but we just read his cues and put him to bed earlier.

Ask all these questions when you go on the tour. And if you do have concerns once you start, make sure to keep an open line of communication with the teachers and director. In the end though, you have to be comfortable with it all. Listen to your gut.

brandyleighxx · August 2013

My DS is in a daycare center and he does great. He started at 7 weeks. Our daycare is split into 3 rooms, though - infant, one year, and 2-3 yr. the infant and one year room only have 3 other kids (the staff to kid ratio here is 1 to 4). He's never had any issues sleeping and I really believe it helped him learn independence and socialization. One issue I've had so far is over feeding because DS is very food motivated and fusses anytime he sees another kid eating so they give him snacks or a bottle when he really could just be distracted. He also gets over fed because there's not great communication at shift changes. When his teacher goes on lunch or leaves early and someone else takes over, he tends to get off schedule. But I like that he gets so much interaction with kids of different ages, he gets free play and learns independence, being on a schedule helps us set a schedule at home as well.

davenh76 · August 2013

I love our center. It's church based like the one that you are touring. Typically in our nursery room, they let the babies create their own schedules. And they adapt quickly to the other kids in the room. There are occasionally days that DD comes home with only a half an hour nap, but we adjust by putting her down a little earlier. It's no big deal to us to do that....and I think that's more DD's style then anything else. She's never napped well.

Socially, I think she's learning to play with other children, and to be more tolerant of people in general.

MrsWhipple · August 2013

I have a friend who runs a church daycare center. I know a lot of kids that go there and it is awesome! If I lived in the area, that is where I would want to send my son. Do the tour, ask all your questions, and go with your gut!

CLeigh03 · August 2013

L was in daycare from 1.5 - 3.5. He adjusted great (kids often do!) and LOVED the interaction with other kids. I think that was the biggest bonus!

Lizzydarcy618 · August 2013

Mr. Darcy is also very anti-in home daycare, so we went with a center for Baby D. He's been in two different ones since I went back to work in January, and the one he is currently in is fantastic. He is so incredibly social, which is wonderful. I also see how he adores the bigger kids and loves being able to play with the toddlers when he gets the chance.

The downsides: Yes, napping is difficult. He gets one really good nap a day. Then again, he is on his way to one nap a day, so that's fine with me. He's very easily distracted by the other kids as well. And sicknesses... oh, the sicknesses. That is truly the downside of daycare.

The upsides: His teachers adore him. His one teacher was away for five weeks due to a family emergency and I wasn't sure how he would react once she came back. His first reaction? BIG HUGS! His other teacher adores him as well. I love that he interacts with other kids and is happy.

As for bad habits... Mrs. Bennet cared for me and my sisters at home, and I was still a biter. What can I say? If a kid is going to do it, they will do it anywhere.

AmySmolos · August 2013

We toured and it wasn't too bad. No where will be good enough and at least they are opening a new room for 9 month to 15 month olds while they transition so still cribs and two naps! But naps are with the other kids so I still don't see ds doing this well. I'm so nervous for him!! But there's a max of 5 kids to a room so that's good. Thanks ladies!!

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