Would you switch DCs?

traveltheworld · November 2013

Sorry but this is going to be quite long. DS (16 months) currently goes to DC 3 days/week. We got a recommendation from a friend for a diffrent DC so we went and toured it yesterday. Now I don't know what to do.

Pros of DC1 (current DC) - right in my office building, so I get to spend the commute time with DS everyday, also makes it easier if he is sick and we need to suddenly pick him up; has a webcam, lots of toys and "education" tools, DS is used to the DC and loves it there - he knows all 10 teachers now and says hi and bye to everyone and his two primary teachers genuinely seem quite fond of him. It's a large national chain so I'm not worried about accountability etc.

Cons of DC 1 - the staff turn-over seems high. We've been here 6 months and I've already seen 2 teachers leave (out of about 10). The programing seems rather unstructured. DS spends most of his day just running around. They have an outdoor space but there isn't much to do outside. I don't think they actually try to "teach" anything - at least not at DS's age group.

Pros of DC2 (prospective DC) - much nicer outdoor space; also has an indoor gym (albeit a small one) where they do dance and yoga; the teachers seem nicer and more communicative in general; they have daily lesson plans, the owners work at the DC.

Cons of DC2 - not in a convenient location for us. If DS goes there, my parents will drop-off and pick-up, so I'd get to see less of DS. The location isn't nice as it's in an industrial part of the city (though the DC itself is very nice). Staff turn-over still seems to be an issue - they opened 14 months ago and have had 5 teachers (out of 14) that have left.

We are taking a month-long vacation in January and DS would have to move up to a different room at his current DC when we come back, so I thought that if we were to switch, that would be an ideal time.

FWIW - I only plan on keeping DS in DC until age 3. He will then go to a pre-school.

lollipoppoop · November 2013

I would stick with DC1

Nechie122 · November 2013

If you're planning on doing preschool at 3, I would leave him for now. It sounds like DC2 is a hassle to get to and I generally think it's better to have continuity of care, even if he'll be changing classrooms.

jschmidt6 · November 2013

Stay! For me it's comforting knowing DS is very close in case of emergencies. Also if it ain't broke don't fix it!

traveltheworld · November 2013

Yeah I was leaning more towards staying too. Part of it is that I have a lot of SAHM friends and I'm always hearing about all these activities they are doing with their LOs, and I feel like maybe I should try to "enrich" DS's day more.

jlaOK · November 2013

I'd stay. Having to rely on your parents for drop off / pick up is enough to not want me to move. I also don't think that structured curriculum is really important until 3 anyway.

jschmidt6 · November 2013

Sometimes I think about the SAHM bit and I realize that my kid will be well rounded and have better social skills than that kid. And let's face it, that can get you a lot farther in life than Baby Einstein or playgrounds or craft time, etc

Karla CS · November 2013

I would stay. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Also, do you get to use the carpool lane while commuting? That would save me a TON of time if daycare were in my building.

ccam · November 2013

I would stay. DS is 15 months and doesn't have much "structure" or curriculum, but the older rooms do. Right now, they do a few projects, play, eat and sleep, which I think is pretty normal! I'd be more concerned if he was 2 or 3 and not being taught anything. Plus the fact that he loves it there is a major pro!

preggersin2011 · November 2013

Turn over will always be an issue where ever you go. There doesn't seem to be anything really wrong & you are already planning on moving to a preschool at 3yrs so I would stay.

Pips09 · November 2013

jlaOK said:

I'd stay. Having to rely on your parents for drop off / pick up is enough to not want me to move. I also don't think that structured curriculum is really important until 3 anyway.

This, exactly. If the location isn't good for you (you, the parent), then I'd stick with the one you are at. I feel like it's a pretty big burden to put on your parents to do pick up and drop off each time.

thatgirlnicki · November 2013

My friend is a preschool special ed teacher and she always says that the social aspect of preschool is far more important than the lesson-plan, teaching part. I think if there was total lack of structure and occupied time, there would be behavior issues and your son would not enjoy it. Perhaps they are not teaching him lessons, but he is learning from the daily interactions with his teachers and peers. I know the feeling of trying to make a choice like that and it's so hard. Sometimes i just remind myself that it's only preschool and they have their whole lives ahead of them! I second the person who suggested seeing if the curriculum changes as he gets older. I would think most national chains have a standard in place.

I also don't think 2 of 10 teachers is a huge turnover. It's a low paying field and I think there is a lot of turnover in stressful, low-paying jobs like that.

Katie829 · November 2013

I would stay. I wouldn't expect a lesson plan for a 16m old. I would be very happy with free play. Also saving on the travel is huge.

shannm · November 2013

I would stay where you are.

LoCarb · November 2013

Another vote for staying at DC1. Convenience is a big issue for a WM.

BeeGirl2 · November 2013

If DS did not like it, or was older and closer to Kindergarten and not getting the school readiness piece or you felt uneasy or that is care was being compromised then I would make a move. It sounds to me like none of those things are an issue so I would stay right where you are. Also transitioning a toddler can be really really hard on all parties. Like PP said, no reason to fix something that is not broken!

mexicolombiana · November 2013

Definitely stay. You're moving him to pre-k soon anyway.

thedash · November 2013

I'd stay. It sounds like a good fit for him honestly. He is happy and you get a good vibe from his teachers. That means a lot!

Meery82 · November 2013

Stay.

laurakaz13 · November 2013

I would also stay. DD didn't have actual structure in her daycare class until she reached the 2 yr old classroom. Have you asked them about structure for older classes?

DD was in daycare in the hospital I worked in for the first year of her life and I loved it. I would visit everyday during lunch to feed her. It was great.

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