Validate me, lol (daycare related)

[Deleted]

So after many months of stalling, DH and I have made a decision regarding daycare.
First of all we are only going to use DC on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is a new development. My mom is going to go down to 3 days/week + 1 Saturday/month at her job to watch Annie Mondays and Fridays and MIL is going to watch Annie on Wednesdays, which is also DH's WFH day. I am going to use pricing info for 5 days/week, however.

In no particular order:

Daycare 1, $270/week. One location only. Owner is not on-site. Diapers/wipes and (BJ's - like Costco/Sam's for those who don't have them in your area - generic) formula are included. We would have to provide DD's sensitive formula, unless she outgrew the need for it. All other food is provided. Would provide our own bottles and have to bring home to clean nightly. Head teacher in infant room has been at the center for 18 years. Young grandmother-ly woman, early-50s if I had to guess. Wanted to take Annie out of her carrier, hold her, show her the room, the toys. Most staff have been employed there 10+ years, including the director and head teachers in the other rooms. Staff besides the director wear polo shirts with the school's logo. Saw processes for changing diapers, wiping down changing area, logging food/formula intake, etc. Crib/nap area is separated from play area by a half wall. Crib area was more dark/relaxing, whereas play area was bright. Teach sign language starting at 6 months (honestly I don't know what is normal for that). Class currently has 6, she would make #7. They have a max of 8. 2 children would be transitioning to the next room around January, based on their ages/birthdays which were posted on the wall. Mix of newer equipment, some was a bit older, one swing in particular, but it didn't look unsafe and DD has never been in a swing. The outdoor play area was a courtyard in the middle of the building. Separated from older groups based on time, like 10-10:30AM for infants, 10:30-11 for toddlers, etc. Huge indoor gym. Closest to home, but minorly out of the way for DH and I (adds ~10 minutes to commute each way). Directly on a US Highway. Most lenient re: pickup when sick - 1.5-2 hours. Moderate in terms of security - front door opened to vestibule, then had to be buzzed in. Hours 6:30AM-6:30PM

Daycare 2, $346/week. One of 5, owned by local hospital system. Diapers/wipes and (name brand) formula are included. Getting DD's sensitive formula is not a problem. All other food provided. Would provide our bottles, but they clean and sterilize. Head teacher was at lunch when we arrived, but came back around 5 minutes before we left for our next appointment. She has been at the center for 8 years, 2 other teachers have been there less, but all were under 35 yo if I had to guess. All teaching and food service staff wear a uniform, based on what age group they work with. It is also color-coded. For instance, non-head teachers in the infant room wear blue smocks (like Daisy uniform smocks if anyone remembers those), one other class had red aprons, etc. Cribs are kept against the wall at all times, with play area in the middle. Signs on the wall re: sign language, so I assume it's taught. Class has a lot of part-time kids, only 5 were there when we were there. Max is 12, currently at 11. None looked to be too close to moving up to the next age. Naps were in a combination of cribs and bouncers. Outdoor area for infants only, separated by fencing from other age-appropriate areas. Indoor gym. Music class weekly, even for infants. Near where DH's and my commutes diverge. Adds less than 5 minutes to actual driving each way. Has her in car 15+ minutes each way, traffic notwithstanding (and traffic can be heavy). Located at the end of a large strip mall, off of a county road. Least lenient re: pickup when sick - 1 hour from placing of call. Most secure - parents have code for entry, we need to provide them a recent photo for anyone besides us who is going to pick up, like grandparents. Least lenient wrt OTC medications - no Tylenol, even for teething, no gas drops. Hours 7AM-6:30PM.

Daycare 3, $225/week. Neither diapers/wipes nor formula are included. Head teacher had an emergency and had to leave at 10AM (we had a 1:45 appointment), so we were shown around by the owner/director. Has owned facility for 22 years. Head infant teacher has worked there 10 years. Smallest room by far. Had to walk through Pre-K/4 year old area to get to infant room. Director's granddaughter is in the infant room along with 4 other infants (so 5 total, max of 8). No uniforms for staff. Cribs were against the wall with play area in the middle. No containment devices that I could see. Director takes home crib sheets to wash each weekend, so we would just have to buy the sheets. Very small outdoor area, requires walking across parking lot. Commute is easier for DH than for me, would require me to double-back about 5 miles/10 minutes. Has her in the car 20+ minutes each way, at minimum. Facility was secure-ish. Parents have a key fob, visitors and others get buzzed in. Converted house set back from a quiet-ish county road. Also teach sign language and Spanish. Most lenient re: medications like gas drops. Hours 7AM-6:30PM.


Technically, all are affordable, but #2 does eat up a significant amount (40%?) of my take-home if we had to go to 5 days/week.

Pre-baby, DH worked 7-6. My hours are 8-4 but I routinely work until 5 or 5:30. We plan to cut this back, at least slightly.

[spidervain]

I haven't voted yet. Honestly, I would go with whichever one you liked the people at the best. I didn't read that anything seemed to set off concerns for you. Most of the differences seem to be on things that wouldn't be a big deal. And if you liked the staff, conversations about concerns are always easier.

I thinking would chose 3 because in your description it sounds less formal/more low-key which is more my style.

It sounds from your description like you might have liked 1 better. If the commute and hours work for you, and you got a good feeling about staff from on, go with it.

Good luck!

[cricketwife]

I agree.
Go with where you like the people best. That said, I would have a really hard time stomaching the $$$$ for number 2 unless I was completely in love with the place.

[curbsideprophet]

What are the child to staff ratios at each location?

Would you be paying for a full time slot at any of the locations? What is the backup plan for M, W, F if grandparents are not available?

I would want to avoid containment devices and extending my commute. However I would not want more than a 1-4 ratio for infants.uniforms and polo shirts would not really factor into my decision.

[bowies]

I chose 1 because you liked the staff, the hours were the best, they seem understanding of working parents needing leeway in picking up a sick kid, there aren't a lot of kids in the room (less opportunity to spread germs), and it's affordable.

[SJ]

All sound fine to me!

Are they all letting you pay 2/5 tuition?

[gretchenindisguise]

As written, #1 hands down

[Velar Fricative]

I would definitely pick #1.

[ssmjlm]

1 would be my choice, but I agree with pp about ft vs pt. Family can be great but we've all heard the horror stories about that.

[AmyRI]

I would absolutely not go with #3 unless this was a short-term (i.e. move her when she turns 1) kind of situation. Things that turned me off about it: Weekly washing of infant sheets at someone else's house (does she have animals your kid could be allergic to, or could have fleas, etc. etc. - our center washes sheets, blankets, bibs, and burp cloths daily for infants in-center. Older kids take sheets home weekly and parents wash.), small outdoor area across a parking lot (ok for an infant that gets a stroller ride over and doesn't need much room to run, but not ok for older kids), and the additional commute time. Not a big enough cost savings to even consider.

#2 sounds great, but... a center that is not lenient at all on anything is going to be a stressful PITA to deal with. And I couldn't stomach the price tag with other acceptable options.

I'd choose #1 because I think it's a good balance. Staff is so important. 10 minutes additional time is pretty good. Huge indoor gym is great, especially for infants who generally don't go out in the winter months. Don't love that all kids share one courtyard playground, but assuming that they have a variety of toys for the different age groups I'd be ok with it. Good hours, smaller classroom max, and the TEACHERS! Gosh, I'd love to see more than a couple of people employed in a center for 10+ years. Sign me up.

[jenn248]

#1. From your description, it sounds like you like it the best anyway. #2 sounds nice as well and it sounds like the commute would be more convenient, but I'm not sure that makes up for the difference in price.

[rbp]

I have realized that caring for an infant is very very different than providing early childhood education (like age 2 through pre-K). I think our current center excels at the latter, but I am struggling with them caring for my baby. I guess I would go with the one that seems "homiest," if that makes any sense. Where are the babies the most content? Apparently M spends most of the day at DC fussing, and that breaks my heart.

[tealblue]

I would probably go with #1. I know you said that your formula is included with #2 but it's probably not a $76/week perk and formula is only for a year or so. You'll be paying more (I assume) for the older infant and toddler class as well once you no longer use formula. All of them sound fine I suppose so go with what you felt most comfortable with!

[laurenh]

I think I'd be most interested in #1 based on your description but I would honestly pick whichever people you felt most comfortable with if price isn't a big consideration.

[elocrates]

I chose #1. It sounds very similar to our daycare set-up that we totally love. But honestly all three options sound fine.

[biogirl21]

Oct 29, 2014 5:20:30 GMT -5 gravytrain225 said:

I like number 1 but all sound fine. What does the uniform have to do with the decision?

I'm guessing she feels better with them being in uniforms because then you can tell the difference between the staff and parents. I don't know, op seems to overthink some things.

[biogirl21]

I would also not pick #3. The director taking sheets home is just a big problem for me. Doesn't seem sanitary.

[catbear]

I like the sound of #1 - your description includes much more about the people running the place which leads me to believe you liked them. Ultimately, it's the people that make the difference. I spent a lot of time on this decision, but we ended up very happy with our center because the teachers are so warm and good with the babies.

[SJ]

Oct 29, 2014 9:03:00 GMT -5 @mrsbecky said:

and yeah some of those things would not even cross my mind, lol, like what the staff was wearing. That would not impact my decision at all.

Same here.

I am also surprised that many people see the sheets being washed for you as a negative. I was just thinking "Yes! One less chore for us to do at home!"

[redheadk]

I would prefer #1 but go with your gut.

[redheadk]

Oct 29, 2014 9:07:54 GMT -5 SJ said:

Oct 29, 2014 9:03:00 GMT -5 @mrsbecky said:

and yeah some of those things would not even cross my mind, lol, like what the staff was wearing. That would not impact my decision at all.

Same here.

I am also surprised that many people see the sheets being washed for you as a negative. I was just thinking "Yes! One less chore for us to do at home!"

Yeah, that wouldn't bother me at all, either. 

[SJ]

And yes, you need to go with your gut. I heard some (ok, ONE) negative review of our infant room and it was hard not to freak out.

But we have been very happy so far. They seem to love on and enjoy her, she is happy there (as happy as a 4 month old can be lol), she eats & sleeps well, and gets lots of cuddles. DH feels ok leaving her there and I feel ok picking her up.

But there aren't tons of bells & whistles, and communication is not super formal, and I honestly am ok with that.

[stacyb1983]

I am not sure how tight your budget is. For me, the cost difference is not significant enough to warrant going with the cheaper option, unless it's the better option.

You can always do a second tour if you are not sure. I think it is a good idea to go on a different day of the week, different time. I like to go on my second tour around pick up/drop off time so that I can talk to other parents about the center.

Teacher turnover is a good indication of whether the daycare is run effectively. High turnover could be a sign of problems.

[magpie]

Oct 29, 2014 7:46:56 GMT -5 rbp said:

I have realized that caring for an infant is very very different than providing early childhood education (like age 2 through pre-K). I think our current center excels at the latter, but I am struggling with them caring for my baby. I guess I would go with the one that seems "homiest," if that makes any sense. Where are the babies the most content? Apparently M spends most of the day at DC fussing, and that breaks my heart.

I would go with this too.  

[aspentosh]

#1. I would probably climate #3 for various reasons, and #2 doesn't sound SO MUCH BETTER to warrant the huge price increase. Plus #2 sounds really really good.