daycare decision

[pugz]

Nov 2, 2012 10:23:52 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

What would happen if she filled the open time slots with kids who sign up for those slots on a regular basis? Then you can't use those spots on an as needed basis b/c they are being used by regular kids.

Regular meaning regularly attending.

we discussed this, the in home provider would not kick us out if a family seeking FT care came along. She would just turn them down.

[chia]

Nov 2, 2012 9:32:52 GMT -5 pugz said:

I got a list of about 7 more in home daycares today from a local agency that does some of the legwork if you give them parameters. Going to make some more calls and see if we can tour a couple.

this is a great idea.
FWIW, we love our in-home. Having flexibility has been awesome.

[momabear]

My concern with the home daycare would be the 3 under 1 year olds. In my state, there can only be 2 per provider, so for the 3 you are talking about, there would need to be an assistant. I know an inhome provider and asked her about that once because I think sometimes the babies are easier to watch than the toddlers. She told me it was due to the provider being able to evacuate non-walkers in an emergency situation. That has stuck with me. Just something to think about.

Also, if you choose this in home provider, I would make sure it was in your contract that you would not be replaced for a full time family. It is easy to say that she wouldn't do that, but it is also a business, with the intent to make money. If she were to turn down a full time person to keep you at your 2 days, she would be losing about $600 a month.

I used in home daycare when my first was an infant and I loved it. I think it can be a great option as long as you find the right situation. Good luck, I know it isn't easy!

[satama]

The law in my state is two under two years is the max. I would not be comfortable with the ratio at that in home. Too many little ones IMO. I would not rule out home care if you are comfortable with all the other aspects but maybe look for a different one. Like others have said, you can always switch to somewhere with activities later.

[kaiene]

We ultimately went with an in home provider after touring 2 centers and 2 in home providers.

We liked one center, but it was nearly $300 a week and we would have had to pay full time over the summer (I am a teacher and don't need FT care in the summer). They would not allow cloth either.

We chose the one in home provider for a few reasons: we could do cloth and pay for PT care over the summer. In addition, she does a preschool program, and takes the kids to the park and library. She is a mom of 3 herself, and we felt very comfortable with her.

DS loves it and is developing and growing like he should.

ETA: I forgot about the 2u2 rule. Check what your state laws are. We lucked out because a child at DS' day care turned 2 the day we needed him to start.

[jenikate]

Sorry, I know I am a little late to this post.

If the in home daycare only has one worker, what happens if/when she gets sick? Will her niece be able to cover for her? Will you have to keep you daughter home and still be required to pay for the days? Or will she refund your money?

Also, did you check about her vacation schedule? Most of the in home places we looked at took 2 weeks vacation, one week in the summer and one during the holidays. We would have still had to pay for both of those weeks.

In the end we went with a center that offered flexible days, but the price tag of a home daycare was much more appealing.

[pugz]

I've got an interview with another one set up for Monday night where her youngest is 2 yrs old. I think I would prefer one with 2 babies max. My daughter is not easy to feed at this point, takes 30-45 minutes to go through a bottle. Hopefully that will be better by January.

and I'm waiting to hear back from about 5 or 6 I left messages with. Hopefully I can find one that suits our needs.

[pugz]

really liked the one we met tonight and she only charges $40 a day which is amazing. Hopefully we can check out one more and make our decision in the next week, but I felt really good about this one. She's been a provider for 28 years and her home is set up much better than the one we saw last week. More toys and more room to play. Gretchen would be the only infant and I think that would be good at least at first while we all adjust.