switching daycares...advice? (long)

[slk537]

We are looking into switching DS to a new daycare with the new school year. He has been with the same one since he was 10 weeks old and it breaks my heart to do this, but the way we are feeling, we may have to. We are seeing his pediatrician tomorrow and will talk about this, but I wanted any real life experience advice/stories if anyone has them...

Thanks!!

 

[SC Minnie]

We moved when DD was 4 1/2 and changed her daycare. I really liked the 1st one- she had been there about 3 years- but it was about 20-30 min farther away now. DD did just fine. She made new friends and we didn't have a problem at all.

Some daycares seem to offer more strict preschool programs where others offer the same in a more casual setting. Find one that is right for your son. From what you have said here it is time for you to make the change.

 

[CEDmom]

We never switched daycare but I think you could explain to your DS that he's going to a new school because he's finished all the grades in his current center. I would go to these new places and speak with the Directors about the issues he's having at his current one. It's better they know now and can be proactive. Sometimes all it takes is setting higher expectations for a child - the more you expect of them the harder they try.

Switching will also give your son the confidence he'll need to go into a new setting when he starts kindergarten next year.

 

[CarolA]

We never switched daycare but I think you could explain to your DS that he's going to a new school because he's finished all the grades in his current center. I would go to these new places and speak with the Directors about the issues he's having at his current one. It's better they know now and can be proactive. Sometimes all it takes is setting higher expectations for a child - the more you expect of them the harder they try.

Switching will also give your son the confidence he'll need to go into a new setting when he starts kindergarten next year.

I don't have kids, but a friend of mine did move her daughter when she decided to "hold" her back. That way the child really didn't realize that everyone else was leaving (plus if it's the EXACT same stuff as last year what's he going to get out of it?)

 

[cardaway]

Have you looked into in-home daycares?

 

[budbeerlady]

I had the same situations this past spring. Another director came in, brought in some new staff. DD started having alot of bruises on her legs, she said they play rough!

The day she knocked her front teeth loose I knew she had overstayed at the day care. I know accidents happen, but there was no paperwork filled out that was required by the state. And I wanted the paperwork for when I took her to the dentist! So I waited for a teacher to find out what happened and to fill it out. Also when DD told me they were too busy "Yick Yacking" to get her ice and to comfort her I about lost it!

You know already it is time for him to move. We found a Kid Kamp program that has DD in with kids age 5-12, they are out on field trips twice a week. She started the 1st of June. She hasnt asked once to go back to her old daycare and truely loves her new school. She isnt all bruised up and she is happy and excited to go everymorning, she doesnt want to leave at the end of the day when I come to pick her up!