We are moving and looking for childcare again. We have had a string of so-so childcare experiences with babysitters, daycare, and aupairs, and I am having trouble finding the motivation to go through this all again.
So, tell me about what you love about your childcare. I need some hope that we can find a great person to take care of our kids.
ETA: Also, how did you find your nanny/childcare? How long have you been with them? Anything else...
Re: tell me about your great childcare experiences
We love love love our DCP.
It's an in home day care-- she has 5 or 6 kids (depending on the day) and one helper. I really feel like it's helped my DD blossom-- she's one of the most outgoing kids you will ever meet, and she knows all of her shapes, animals, letters, colors, numbers 1-20 etc.
We found her from a random google search for local day care.
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12
We're at a small Montessori School that goes to 7th grade for DS and I do like it.
I think the things that make this place a home run for me is that they seem to really love my kid and think he's cool - so good judgment right there - and the teachers seem to enjoy being there and believe in what they are doing at the school. Even when I think some of it is a little weird, they are always thinking of kids first.
We only left there because we moved cross country. I still miss it. Her current DC is okay.
I love our in-home DCP, and she has actually become a dear friend over the years. We met her at church. She was the second person we told that we were PG with DS; we were hoping she could keep us in mind if a spot opened up. By chance, she had an infant spot open up 2 weeks after we talked to her about DC, and she held the spot for us, no charge (!), for 10 months. She is the kind of person who does DC because she truly enjoys it.
We sent DS to a center for preschool 2 days a week beginning the Fall he turned 4. (We thought having some classroom-type activities would help him transition to kindergarten.) We were referred there by people DH works with - it's actually located across the street from his office, so the location was very convenient. We'll be sending DD there this Fall for preschool 2 days a week.