Daycare Dilemma

[twotrue]

I vented last week about DD's daycare provider and a security concern I had. While I absolutely love the director at the site the owner is a complete and utter failure. I think it's time to move Jelly Bean to a new daycare.

So here is my dilemma: We've been looking for new options. In fact, we were looking at new places even before the security concern. But we haven't found a place that we love and that completely fits. Here are some options:

Option A - close to my work but far from home. K could not do drop off or pick up on a regular basis. If I ever change jobs we could not keep her at this site. There is not an opening until October. But on the plus side, I really liked it. It felt much like the daycare I used to work at.

Option B - on the way to work but could keep her there if I change jobs. Felt okay about it but didn't love it.

Option C - Less than two miles from our house so a great location for both K and I. Awesome security! Professional security on staff from 6a-6p. To me it feels a bit clinical, although that might just be because it has cinder block walls. We've been on the wait list and they just offered us a spot. We have 24 hours to make a decision.

There are a few more possibilities. One, I'm looking at tomorrow sounds promising but they do close during several of the school breaks. Another only does tours the first Tuesday of the month so I can't visit until next week.

Then there is the possibility of sending her to a private school at 3 years old. But where does she go in the meantime? I don't really want to switch her now, just to switch her again in 9 months. Ugh.

Help!

[2brides]

C. if it just the cinder block walls (which I understand) - but otherwise seems like a good program and you think that JB will be happy there, I would go with that.

[hlke]

Can you do a drop in visit on C today? Might give you a chance for a second impression and to get a feel if it's a good fit for JB. Because C sounds awfully appealing in a lot of the important things.

[never2amazing]

I agree ... option C

[twotrue]

Jul 30, 2012 13:34:43 GMT -5 hlke said:

Can you do a drop in visit on C today? Might give you a chance for a second impression and to get a feel if it's a good fit for JB. Because C sounds awfully appealing in a lot of the important things.

We were just there this morning :-) I had toured twice before (once at their old site and once at their new location), but K never had. I didn't get her thoughts post-tour so I'll have to see what she says tonight.

[thiswillbe]

Well I see you've already done it, but I was going to suggest visiting C again, too. It might also be worth asking what it would cost (if anything) to hold the spot for a couple of days or a week. There's always a chance that they would be flexible in allowing you time to make a decision. You could also ask if they have references/parents you can talk to to get a better feel for the place.

I would also weigh thinks like late pickup policies, etc. between C and A. A might not be in a great location for sharing pick-up/drop-off, but "really [liking]" where your kid(s) is(are) is important.

I have to say, the professional security at C might worry me more than it'd reassure me. I mean, I like that we have a keycode to get in to our daycare building, and an electronic sign in/sign out system, but I don't know how I'd feel if our daycare thought they needed a security person standing out there as well (I would start thinking "what are they worried about? what's happened in the past?").

[twotrue]

Jul 30, 2012 15:18:11 GMT -5 thiswillbe said:

I have to say, the professional security at C might worry me more than it'd reassure me. I mean, I like that we have a keycode to get in to our daycare building, and an electronic sign in/sign out system, but I don't know how I'd feel if our daycare thought they needed a security person standing out there as well (I would start thinking "what are they worried about? what's happened in the past?").

The daycare is part of a healthcare system. They aren't connected to the main campus but it's where doctors, nurses, profs, students, etc., send their kids. There has never been an incident that caused them to need security, it's just their standard MO for a healthcare environment. kwim?

[twotrue]

Last night I asked K for her impression of the daycare and she said it felt "institutional." So I guess we were on the same page there. I think the care provided is very good, but because it's part of a large healthcare system (teachers wear uniforms of maroon or blue polo shirts) it just feels very business. If that makes sense. So it's back to square one.

I looked at another site today and while I like the feel of it very much they close during school breaks which would mean either me taking vacation at that time or having to hire sitters.

At this point we've decided not to rush switching JB to a new site and instead focus on finding the right one.

Oh and because I'm crazy I'm looking into starting my own day care center. :-p

[2brides]

Jul 31, 2012 13:33:11 GMT -5 twotrue said:

I looked at another site today and while I like the feel of it very much they close during school breaks which would mean either me taking vacation at that time or having to hire sitters.

As someone who has to deal with this nonsense - delay this as long as possible. Because once JB is in school, you will feel like you are having to find alternative childcare every time the wind blows.