I moved DD to a different/better center at age 1. Same reason - loved the baby room and baby room teacher, but did not love the older kid program. Changing was hard, but once we did it, I was so relieved. And sooo happy for 5 years.
Bite the bullet and do it. It will be just fine. Then you'll be settled and you won't have to keep wondering if you should move her. It's be done and settled.
I would pick the center. First and foremost because I feel like there is more oversight in Center's vs. in-home and I too share concerns over Ruth's mobility issues. I have had my son in 3 different Center's since he was 3 months and he has done great with each adjustment.
I don't have kids but just from reading this it sounds like you know you want the center, you're just afraid of changing her routine
And mine, tbh. ha. Like, I think our routine could be better. But it ALSO could be WORSE. WHAT IF IT'S WORSE??
I do this with most everything.
I felt the same way but then I reminded myself I'm really only committed to 30 days (or 60 days or whatever) to this new place. I have an inkling that if we wanted back in with home-care provider she would take us because we were good to her too. I felt like the worst thing that could happen is that DS hated it and after a couple weeks I'd make the decision to return to our other place.
You know I use an in-home and really like her (and prefer that to a center for now) but if I were you I'd switch, no hesitation. It will be so much nicer for you to have your H do drop offs and the cons about the in-home are pretty big ones, at least to me. I like having child care near home instead of work because there have been a few days I either stayed home sick or took a random day off and could still send her without having to drive far.
I'd switch to the center. We have done both and are actually switching back to a center next month.
I would ask if you can pay for a 5th day if needed and they have space that day. One of our centers had that option. But I would honestly look at putting her in 5 days a week. It is almost impossible to get work done with a little one around. And I felt guilty trying to do both mom and employee. And I sucked at doing both at the same time. I can do it as needed now with my 7 y/o if she needs to stay home sick, because she can lounge around and watch tv and sleep her sickness away or entertain herself. Under 5 years old, nope.
Also, I would pick close to home over close to work any day. Need a day off??? Drop kid off at daycare and go back home and nap. Need a date day with DH?? Drop kid off and out you guys go. Have a dr spot or medical something to get done?? Drop kid off and go take care of your business? Need your hair done one afternoon?? Drop kid off.
None of this driving to where your work is so you can do that. Close to home is the way to go.
-More expensive, BUT. I work from home once a week and at the center, I am able to pay for only 4 days a week, which cuts costs a bit. Difference between the two is approximately $2500 annually.
Ruth sounds nice, but more like a last minute babysitter instead of a good, long-term environment for childcare.
If your husband is concerned about the money, break down the extra cost per day. I estimate the cost to be an extra $13 a day
Also, if something happened to Ruth where she's out of work for a while (doesn't sound like she's able to be in the best shape), how easy would it be to find permanent childcare until she's out of recovery?
I don't go here, but I was in a similar situation and I had to jump in.
DS went from an in-home to a center when he was 17 months. I was sooooo nervous about it. Anxiety through the roof, very emotional, just over all a WRECK. I laugh now at how ridiculous I was being.
DS has been there for almost a year and he absolutely thrives there. His teachers love him. He has a close bond with one of them in particular. There wasn't even any bad transitioning! It has been so amazing for our family.
I bet you will have a similar experience and surprise yourself.
Post by underwaterrhymes on May 6, 2015 21:16:07 GMT -5
I promise you the people at the center will love your baby.
K has been in a center since he was 5 months old. He loves it and they adore him. We had to switch centers when we moved, obviously, and I was super anxious about it, but it's been great.
He has learned so much and has so many friends and he plays outside and brings home art projects. He also sings a bunch of fun songs that he's learned, and it's always a hoot trying to figure out what he's singing.
The mobility issues and the new boyfriend moving in would cause me to want to switch. Sounds like the center is pretty small - not like the huge corporate centers where there are tons of kids and little 1 on 1.
Post by amandakisser on May 7, 2015 8:55:00 GMT -5
lurker chiming in, but my DD has been in daycare since she was 14 weeks old, and I can assure you they love her and she loves them.
One time, I was dropping her off and when I put her down she immediately fell smack dab on her face onto the floor. She got up crying, I reached out to her...and she ran to her teacher. LOL and heartbreaking all at the same time. But I left there feeling SO relieved that she knows she can turn to them for comfort in times like that.
Totally understand your worry though - even transitioning to the toddler room had me filled with similar anxiety.
Also, I would pick close to home over close to work any day. Need a day off??? Drop kid off at daycare and go back home and nap. Need a date day with DH?? Drop kid off and out you guys go. Have a dr spot or medical something to get done?? Drop kid off and go take care of your business? Need your hair done one afternoon?? Drop kid off.
None of this driving to where your work is so you can do that. Close to home is the way to go.
I can't agree with this enough. AJ's sitter is 5 minutes from our house, and the convenience is amazing. Especially if I need to get something done on a Monday off, or my husband needs to do something on one of his days off. As long as she's got advance notice our sitter is more than happy to take him off our hands for the afternoon or morning or whatever.
I'm trying to make the same decision. We have been in the same in-home for 3 years. I am looking to change to a center, but these people are pretty good friends, etc. Its going to be hard. But I think for many reasons it will be right. So I'm looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. We aren't making the move until more towards the end of summer though.