WWYD? DC center security/staff

blondie10m · October 2013

DS currently goes to a center at my work, which is 30 min from home, and we've been relatively happy with it. But when DS2 arrives, we are going to put him in a daycare closer to our house just for my maternity leave (~3 months) and then return to his original center. I toured a bunch of centers and chose a local NAEYC accredited chain. There are multiple locations near our house, so we chose the closest one 5 minutes away right on my husband's route home (he has an hour commute already).

However, I visited the close location the first time and there was nobody at the front desk, and another parent let me (they have keycards to get in) while an administrator was walking towards the front door and she said that he had let him in because she gestured to him that it was okay. But yesterday when I went to drop off some forms, a parent let me in and there was nobody at the front desk and I literally wondered around for 5 minutes trying to find an administrator. I eventually asked a teacher, who found someone in charge for me (but not an administrator?), and I told her about my concerns. She said the parents are directed not to let others in, but obviously its not working and they don't have someone at the front desk at all times. I feel sort of uneasy about this since I was able to walk around unattended for a long time.

There is another location for the center with a full time front desk staff, which is further away from home (10 min) and out of the way for DH for pickups. Now I'm debating switching to this center even though it would be more inconvenient for both of us.

I guess I'm wondering WWYD? It's only for 3 months and we'll have enough to worry about with a new baby and exhaustion already. What kind of security does your center have? Is there full time front desk staff?

financialdiva · October 2013

There is someone at the front desk, or pretty close by at all times. We have a key code at the door to get in. Sometimes other parents tailgate in, but I'm okay with that IF someone is at the front desk watching.

If you're not a normal pick up person, the front desk will stop you and ask for ID. And the teachers have been known to call up to the front desk if my SIL picks up DS's and the teachers are new/or DS1 is new to the room and the teacher doesn't recognize her yet.

Anyway, I wouldn't be comfortable with the idea that I was able to wander around the center before someone even stopped me. I'd keep looking. Or maybe keep your DS at the center he's already at. Maybe cut him down to part time? I am so glad our center is by our house for this exact reason. I was still able to take DS1 in everyday while on maternity leave.

LoCarb · October 2013

My DC runs the same way as @FinancialDiva

You have visited the center twice and security was an issue both times. I would look elsewhere; 10 min away DC or p/t at current location.

musicalsilver · October 2013

Most of the time our DC has front desk staff. The administrator's office also has big windows looking out on the front lobby. On the rare occasions where there's nobody at the desk *and* the administrator isn't in her office, the door to the rest of the facility where the children are is locked.

The break-room for the staff also opens up to the front lobby, so it's really hard to find a time when there's nobody to talk to.

Parents do let other parents in though - I think it's hard to let the door slam in somebody's face. I think you'll find that "problem" at most daycare centers.

I'd feel uncomfortable having my kid at a location where people can just wander in and out of the kid-areas willy-nilly. I also feel like it might be a rough adjustment for your son to be pulled out of his regular daycare for just 3 months just to be put back into it again. Is keeping him in the original daycare an option?

jlaOK · October 2013

My daycare is affiliated with a church and a part of the church building. Because of this, there are non-daycare related people walking around the building. It doesn't bother me because there are other safety precautions in place. There is a code for the outside building, code for each classroom (that only teachers know), kids must be dropped off and picked up with a ticket, and there are cameras in all classrooms and hallways.

I wouldn't be too concerned about people piggybacking on the way into the building (I hold the door for people all the time) as long as there are other safety precautions in place.

emberlee3 · October 2013

I definitely would be concerned about security. Go with the place that is a little farther away. You probably won't send LO every day while you are on ML.

jf198400 · October 2013

This is not an answer to your question, but the situation you describe sounds difficult for your DS. You want to change his daycare at the same time as he is adjusting to a new sibling? And then make him change back to the old center once he gets settled in to the new routine?? It sounds kinda awful to me. My DD is 3yrs and just moved classrooms at daycare. She was with all the same kids, already knew the teacher and the classroom, and she literally freaked out the day she officially transitioned to the new room. This was with no other life changes taking place. I would be concerned that your DS is going to have a very rough transition. (My kid is normally very laid back, so I was shocked at her reaction.) I personally don't see the point in this when you are planning to move him back to his original center after ML.

blondie10m · October 2013

jf198400 said:

This is not an answer to your question, but the situation you describe sounds difficult for your DS. You want to change his daycare at the same time as he is adjusting to a new sibling? And then make him change back to the old center once he gets settled in to the new routine?? It sounds kinda awful to me. My DD is 3yrs and just moved classrooms at daycare. She was with all the same kids, already knew the teacher and the classroom, and she literally freaked out the day she officially transitioned to the new room. This was with no other life changes taking place. I would be concerned that your DS is going to have a very rough transition. (My kid is normally very laid back, so I was shocked at her reaction.) I personally don't see the point in this when you are planning to move him back to his original center after ML.

I'm not a fan of moving him, but I'm not going to spend 2+ hours in the car a day with a newborn, recovering from a c-section. DH's 1 hour commute turns into a 2 hour commute if he drops DS off at daycare, since it's completely out of the way for him. I'm sure he will adjust, kids are resilient.

I talked to the director, who said she or the assistant are there most of the time but do step away to attend to kids in the room if there are injuries or to observe classrooms. But my only impression, obviously, is that there was nobody there both times when I visited (even if I happened to visit the 5% minority of the time). And she said she would send another email out to the parents. But I think the lobby should be monitored, you can't only leave it up to the parents because they don't listen. I'm inquiring into availability at the other location, hopefully they have a slot still.

jf198400 · October 2013

Could you move him to the new center a month or two before the new baby arrives? It might make it a bit easier on your DS adjusting.

JJ_13 · October 2013

jf198400 said:

This is not an answer to your question, but the situation you describe sounds difficult for your DS. You want to change his daycare at the same time as he is adjusting to a new sibling? And then make him change back to the old center once he gets settled in to the new routine?? It sounds kinda awful to me. My DD is 3yrs and just moved classrooms at daycare. She was with all the same kids, already knew the teacher and the classroom, and she literally freaked out the day she officially transitioned to the new room. This was with no other life changes taking place. I would be concerned that your DS is going to have a very rough transition. (My kid is normally very laid back, so I was shocked at her reaction.) I personally don't see the point in this when you are planning to move him back to his original center after ML.

I agree with this. It does seem keeping him in his current place isn't an option either though, from what you say. ugh. No chance of hiring a full time nanny for those three months who could come in to your home with you and new baby? Or a neighborhood mom-friend who could watch him for three months that wouldn't be such a disruption/change for him?

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