Daycare 1st Timer

[Trinity721]

Hi everyone

I just started a new job at a Pediatric office. Right now I'm part time b/c I don't have regular child care for my DD. My Dad sometimes is able to watch her, however he works the 3rd shift and must sleep during the day. When he is able to watch her, he doesn't get much sleep and I worry b/c he must drive a long way to work.

So I decided it's time to bring DD to daycare. I would have liked to put her in daycare at the Naval Base because the price is very cheap, but since I am choosing to stay here in Chicago and DH is stationed in FL then they will not allow me to bring DD there. Which I think is a stupid rule, but I guess understandable... I found a home daycare just a few blocks away from home and I actually went to check it out today. The lady is very nice, is a divorced mom of 3 kids herself. She has 2 FT employees and some part time, all background checked. The kids are nice kids and when I was there they were very well behaved.

So what's my worry? Well DD has never been cared for by other than family and never been to a daycare. I don't know, I'm just worried b/c I've never done this before. But DD seemed to love it when we were there, just walking around everywhere. Usually she is shy and takes getting used to w/ strangers, but she took to the lady right away, even letting the lady hold her!

Should I be worried? She is certified and everything, the house has been inspected by the DCFS. Are there any questions I should ask her? I've already asked her the more obvious ones about security, feeding, the people who will be caring for the children. Any advice from other moms or dads who have been taking their kids to daycare? I'm just new to this whole thing. No one in my family has ever really used daycare facilities.

 

[floridaminnie]

My mother watched DD until this past year when DD was 3. I looked and looked and I finally placed her into Tutor Time. She's grown so much and learned so much. Just be forewarned, DD was sick once a month for the first 6 months. Her Pedic. said that was because she wasn't use to all these germs out there. Tutor Time emphasized washing hands. AFter Jan. she was fine. She's off this summer, I'm a teacher, so hopefully we won't have that six month sick spell again.

P.S. It's harder on us than it is on them.

 

[grinningghost]

I had two great daycare experiences and one horror story. The two great places were really, really great. One was a family home daycare and the woman who ran it was wonderful. She did crafts with the kids and took them to the park and things like that. I was sorry when she moved.

The other great one was a regular daycare center. The teachers were really nice, my DD made alot of friends (and a few enemies, but they were kids, what can you say?), and they took them on tons of field trips. Everyday they had different learning activities, lunch, rest time and a movie.

The horror story place, well... not to dwell on it, but they made my DD throw up once when they forced her to eat weiners and beans. To this day, she can't look at that particular food without gagging. They also yelled at her (and me) when she had an "accident" in her pants. That was the end of that place for me. They closed down shortly after.

 

[Kermit]

I used to work in daycare. Some centers are great; others aren't. It's really not too hard to tell the difference. When you're there, observe the other kids. Do they look happy (most of the time)? When one of the workers says something nice to them, do they act surprised or like that always happens?

How many kids are here? I've only seen people have daycare in their homes if they were the only worker, so this is something I'm not real familiar with. If there are enough kids that they divide by ages, make sure the program isn't too regimented. Kids should be able to have fun being creative. Detailed art projects are great for parents to hang on the refrigerator, but children thrive when they're allowed free access to a variety of art supplies and allowed to just do whatever they feel like doing with them.

Try to drop by some day when naptime is just ending. That's the most stressful time of the day. It's when you're trying to get all the kids up and change their diapers. You don't want them all to wake up at once, so you have to try to keep the ones who are up reasonably quiet. If that part of the day goes by relatively smoothly, you can probably assume that the rest of the day is pleasant.

 

[debster812]

Were you there at a 'scheduled appointment' time? If you were, maybe a couple of 'drop in ' visits to see what it's like when no one is expected. ANY reputable day care should welcome this. Do you get a good feeling walking into the area where the children are cared for? Are there age appropriate toys, activities, etc? How about nap/rest time? Is there a nice quiet spot? How are meals and snacks handled? Was everything clean? (kids included within reason? I know they get messy/but within reason)

My DS is 6, and has been in a Center day care environment since he was 16 months old, at 2 different centers, and I have been nothing BUT pleased with both places.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My oldest has been in daycare since she was 8 weeks old. Youngest just started at 19 months (same place big sis is at). It was much harder on me than on DD. By Friday of the 2nd week, she was not crying when I dropped her off. Pretty amazing. I love the "school" where my girls are, and they love it too.

The teachers all the way from the baby room to 8th grade (yes, it is a daycare/preschool/K-8 school all in one) will work with all of the parents. DD4 has epilepsy, and her teachers will notify me within 10 minutes of a seizure. It is great.

When you find the right program, you will know!!!

 

[CEDmom]

Trinity is a real cutie pie!! My DD has been in daycare 3x a week for about 2 1/2 years. The sickness thing is true. DD was at the dr. weekly for the 1st 6 months (she started in Jan) but the 2nd winter was much easier. One thing I did that seemed to help DD was to slowly transition her into daycare over a 2 week period. She started off with 1 hour the 1st day and worked up to a full day before I went back to work.

 

[Kurry]

As someone who owns/operates a home daycare, everything seems up to par with this lady you are talking about.

Home DayCares are a much more relaxed environment than centers so make sure you are comfortable with that. For example, we have a "posted" schedule but we don't always go along with it. For instance, if the kids are having fun outside, we don't automatically rush them in to get ready to eat at exactly 11:30. We also don't "hold their hand" like moms and dads sometimes do. They learn to go off on their own to play and explore(and even walk ). At the end of the day, if they have a little or a lot of dirt on their clothes, no big deal. I feel like kids are not having fun unless they get a little dirty.

Home DayCares are great if you are really looking for someone to become close to your child (think of it as another mother figure). I know that I love my kids like they are my own. Most of the time they don't want to go home with their parents. I provide a stable, safe, home environment and kids really like that. Be prepared though, a lot of parents become jealous of home daycare providers because we get to essentially stay at home with their children, play with them, and see them do the "firsts." That is really hard for most people. I probably couldn't count how many children I've seen walk or talk for the first time, even before their parents.

Please also be sure that you trust your daycare provider before accepting a position at her home. There is nothing more annoying than to see a parent peeking through the side window when I am getting the kids up from nap, etc. Also, keep in mind that home daycare providers chose their clients, we don't just necessarily take anyone off the street. When we interview for a position, we are interviewing you just as much as you are interviewing us. Luckily, we have the final decision for hiring and terminating.

In a nutshell, be sure that a home daycare or any daycare for that matter is right for you and your child.

 

[palmtreegirl]

If you were, maybe a couple of 'drop in ' visits to see what it's like when no one is expected. ANY reputable day care should welcome this.

I use to work at a daycare and this is the advice I was going to offer. Definitely pop in announced before you decide to start to her there. If, after that, your gut tells you it's a great place for her, then go for it.

Even after she starts make sure you stop by when they're not expecting you. For example, if you're going to be picking her up at 4pm, tell the daycare you'll be there at 5pm and then show up at 4pm unannounced. Maybe you could stop by on your lunch break one day as well, I'd do this a few times.

Please also be sure that you trust your daycare provider before accepting a position at her home. There is nothing more annoying than to see a parent peeking through the side window when I am getting the kids up from nap, etc.

I never minded a new parent stopping by to check on their child announced or peaking in. It made them feel better and helped them to trust my assistants and I. Trust is something that is earned not just given away, especially when your talking about care for your child.


BTW Trinity is beautiful and I LOVE her name!!

 

[BrerMom]

We've had one absolutely fantastic home daycare and one incredible center. I've also had one that wasn't so pleasant. Some questions that I would never have thought to ask were:

* Is there a variety to the menu or are the kids served the same thing every single day? (I've since found out that this isn't as unusual as I thought. Sad, isn't it?)

* How many toys are actually available for the children to play with? (I ended up providing toys.)

* Where will my child nap?

* Please ask about how the children are disciplined. I quit a job once because I disagreed with the owner on spanking the child. When I told the parents, I was forbidden from speaking with parents again.

* Are seconds on milk allowed for all children or only the owner's children? (and I'm not joking. I worked there.)

* Is the home daycare licensed? and does it follow the rules for how many children are on-site? (Some licensed home daycares follow the limit during school hours, only when the "before and after school kids" aren't there.)

* If I decide I don't want to bring my child here anymore and I give you two weeks notice before their last day, do I have to pay for two weeks of care after they leave (four weeks after the notice)? (the answer was yes, much to my surprise.)

* How do you charge? (I've had by the week, by the hour, by the day, by the month, and "oh, whatever you want to give me." Do I pay for sick days even if my child doesn't come? Do I pay for sick days even if you call me and say you're sick?

* How many weeks of (non-paying) vacation am I allowed per year? (This one really surprised my cousin. She's a teacher and they only allowed four weeks per year. She paid for all summer because she loved the place and didn't want to lose her slot.)

* When my child goes on a field trip, will she be riding with a parent that I've never met? Will he has a huge nametag proclaiming his name to every stranger?

* Does this home daycare make use of substitutes? Meaning: Will I come to pick up my child some day and find that you've hired a service or person to come in and take care of your daycare while you go to an appointment?

Good luck. My kids have very fond memories of those years. They made many friends whose parents became my friends. Their "baby" daycare provider is still referred to as Grandma.

As somebody else said, when you find the right place for you, you'll know it. Our current spot is perfect for our DS. It has the right balance of love and discipline and the teachers aren't afraid to hug the kids. Two things I change would be hot meals provided instead of our packing sack lunches (but at least this way, I know what he's eating) and the nap time arrangement. The cots are sooooo close together and all in the same room. These are two relatively small things, I really feel so lucky that DS was able to attend here.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just wishing you well, Trinity721.

 

[grinningghost]

OMG, I can't believe I forgot to mention this one! Of course, you sound like a sensible, loving mother who will choose your daycare carefully - but watch out for the real lemons! My DH's ex-wife (a complete lunatic) runs an in-home daycare. Her husband is unemployed and a drug addict/alcoholic, AND a wacko (he's tried to kill himself and blow up the house a few times). He's home all the time, which means he is around her daycare kids. Yes, this is true. No matter how many times people call Child Protection to notify them of this, they go, check out the situation and give her the green light to go ahead.

Sometimes the authorities look the other way.