OT - Child Care Option / Problem WWYD

[geniegirl]

I need your thoughts. This may be long so sorry but let me give you the background.


Our son is almost 3. He has been watched by both sets of his grandparents during the day since we were placed with him at 6 months. This has worked well for the most part. In September he started a 2 day 2 hour preschool and loves it. He was with 1 set of GP 2 days and the other 3 but was in PS for part of those days. Last month the 2 day a week GP had to change work hours so we put him in day care at a new place those 2 days but he was still with the other GP and went to the same PS 2 mornings. On Monday this GP had a heart attack and can't watch him for now and may never be able to do it "full time" again. So this is my question / option.


1 Pull him from the PS he is at and put him 5 days at the new place full time.


Or


2 The 2 day PS also has a day care in the building that he could go to before and after his 2 hour PS. So he would go to the new place 3 days, PS 2 mornings and to their day care the rest of those 2 days.


Also what I can't do is have the other non sick GP take him back she needs to work. I don't want to put him in the PS day care place 5 days because it would be a bit of a drive for us to do every day. It would work if we needed it to. The only reason I like this is that he could finish the year in the PS but it does end in May and they do have a big easter break so we would have to figure that out too.


Also option 2 puts him with 3 different groups of kids is that too much for him. I do really like this PS and planned on keeping him there for the next few years. Each year they add a day and an hour.


So what would you do oh and both options cost about the same.

 

[Dee77]

I have a question before I can offer any advice- is the new place a day care only or is it a structured school-like setting? If it is just a glorified babysitting environment then I would keep him in both. If it is a school like setting, then I would change him to the one place for all 5 days. Good luck and I hope his grandparent makes a speedy recovery.

 

[geniegirl]

Thanks. No from what I have seen it is a structured setting the kids in his class range from 3-5 and they seem to work on learning each day. Now he's only been there 2 days so far but that is what I've seen and been told.

 

[Dee77]

If that's the case then I would suggest having him go there for the 5 days. It makes things easier for you as his parent (ex: the distance) but also gives him a set environment to build friendships and a relationship with his teachers to monitor and guide his development.

 

[luvsJack]

I agree. It will be much easier for him to deal with all this change (and his grandparent being ill) if he has the security of knowing where he will be and when.

One place will be much better for all of you.

 

[brymolmom]

If you have been happy with the daycare place (not the PS) - then I say put him in for all 5 days - easier, more consistent for him, and MOST places like that have some sort of preschool setup as well where their routine includes PS type activities.

If you haven't been in it long enough to form an opinion whether or not you are happy or really like that place - hang around after pickup and just chat with a few of the parents. I have found they are the ones that know the best - ask them if they're happy with the place and if they have any concerns with it. Even ask them if they're happy with the preschool learnings their child has gotten. That will likely make you more sure of your decision.

 

[puffkin]

Move him to the new daycare 5 days a week. The other option is way to much moving around. Kids thrive on structure.

 

[loveysbydesign]

You could also try and find a private home based child care/caregiver. I've babysat for little ones and then taken them back and forth to preschool for their parents.
Try Craigslist.org, care.com and sittercity.com!

 

[badblackpug]

Go talk to the daycare place. Find out if they are a preschool or just a daycare. (I think, but I could be wrong they are different "certifications") As the PP's said, if it is a preschool, move him there full time. If it is just daycare, then keep him in both places.

 

[MrsPooh]

I would go with one place every day. If the daycare center doesn't fit what you need see if you can find another.

Our center is great. They only accept kids newborn thru age 5. Under 2 are in one area and 2 thru 5 are in a seperate area. The older kids have play time in the morning, class time from 9 - 11:30 and then a structured day with lunch, naps, play and snacks for the rest of the day.

With the 2 - 5 yr olds, each age has their own room and they work on class work with others their own age although they do spend some playtime together with other ages.

My dd just moved into the 4 yr old class. During class time they say the Pledge, work on letter sounds, do letter and number worksheets, do a craft tied to a letter or number, practice spelling their last name (learned first name in the 3 yr old class), trace letters and numbers each day, learn songs, have story time and other class type activities. My older girls attended a regular pre-school and she is advanced compared to where they were. The local grade schools have even commented on how well prepared the kids from our daycare are when they start school.

 

[geniegirl]

Thanks. I talked to a parent today that I sort of know and who has had her son their from birth and she agrees that do have a learning focus in his classroom. I also talked to them about adding days. It is a budget buster but we don't have a choice right now. Thanks again for you insight it is just going to be an adjustment and papap is going to miss having him around.