Daycare talk

[PikoPiko]

A few of us have LOs in daycare, I would love to hear good and bad stuff about them. (Just in case I need to look for a daycare again, so I know what to look for!)

[johanna]

Oh I'm following this. I'm looking for a day shift job and would be putting DD in daycare if I find something.

[emilyz320]

We are in a home daycare.
Good: there are only a few kids, she gets a lot of one on one attention. It is more like a babysitter. She is a certified teacher and does preschool activities.
Bad: she keeps dd on the same schedule as the older toddlers/babies. She is going to long in between naps sometimes which I don't like. She asks us to pick her up early a lot and it's not easy to do that.

[PikoPiko]

Ranting is easy, cos everybody loves to bitch, right?

My top one that makes me stabby is the ratio of babies to caregivers. In my state, the requirement is 4:1 for he infant room. We've only been using a daycare for 1.5 weeks, but both DH and I have caught them understaffed. DH does the drop off and lingers for anywhere 15-30mins. He reported back to me that DS was the 5th baby in the room and there was only 1 lady in the room. He waited for a 2nd to show up, but they never did. He left thinking maybe cos he was around, so they didn't send anyone in yet. So he waited in the car for 5mins, and looked thru the window to check, still only 1 teacher and 5 babies. I too have caught them with 5 babies in the room when I was picking up DS middle of the day (I did a surprise pick up, didn't match the time DH wrote down for pick up), 2 of the babies were crying by themselves while the lady was feeding another crying ones. I was only glad that DS wasn't one of those crying ones, otherwise I would definitely cause a scene.

[duckker]

Love ours. When we toured it, DH asked what I thought. I told him I wanted to start her immediately, as they are clearly way better at this than I am.

We found a Montessori program that just started taking infants. Babygirl was actually their first baby, and the only one for five months, so she's spoiled rotten by the toddlers and caregivers. It was so hard to find a place that would even consider letting me do the things I wanted to do for her--and this place not only allows but encourages all of it (limited/alternative vaccination schedule, cloth diapers, self soothing to get to sleep, finger foods and delayed weaning, nursing onsite, etc.). I really do feel like she's at a second home and it makes it a hell of a lot easier to be away from her all day. They are really communicative and responsive to any suggestions or inquiries. We chat a lot about what's going on with her, whether and when to change her routines, etc. It's great to have an ally--I wish that were happening for all parents!

[kaydee0402]

Our new daycare we LOVE.

1.) Faith based (we're Catholic, so faith based is important to us. The school is Methodist, but I don't discriminate )
2.) The curriculum is learn through play. I get a monthly calendar of what the lesson plan is for each day, and it's helpful because we know what to work on with DS at home. Today they are doing sensory exploration with rattles. But DS is home sick, so that's not really doing him much good. Tomorrow is Gross Motor Skills and pushing a car.
3.) They do arts and crafts. And it's so stinkin' cute.
4.) They are awesome at communication. They fill out a daily communication sheet and let us know about changes in behaviors or if he skips a meal. Yesterday at pick up they let us know about the low grade fever.
5.) They don't call you for pick up over low-grade fevers, which is awesome. If it hits 100, you get a call for pick up, but they do respect that you have a job and limited sick time.
6.) They take the babies on walks.
7.) They do things at the school like book fairs, talent shows, Mother's Day Tea, Halloween Parades...so fun.
8.) It's a great community. **TRIGGER WARNING!**

SPOILER: Click to show

{TRIGGER, Click to Read}When the little girl that went to Little Man's school drowned last month, it was amazing how all the families at the school banned together to provide meals, set up a Go Fund me, build a memorial garden, send cards and set up a prayer group. It was a reminder of how close our community is.

9.) The teachers absolutely love the kids. There is no doubt in my mind that my son is getting the best care possible from someone other than me.
10.) The school has a security code and you can't get in the building without the security code. It makes me feel safe to know that some crazy can't just wander in off the street (the school is located downtown) and hurt the kids.

One bad thing:

Sometimes during drop off, there will be five kids in the room with the teacher. The second teacher tends to get there at 7:45, but with the fact that there tends to be five kids there before 7:45, I think another plan needs to be in place.

[kaydee0402]

OH and when my son gets to the Ones Room, they Potty Train. That in and of itself is worth the tuition!

[kaydee0402]

However, our first daycare was an in-home provided through DH's work. She was an awful woman who neglected my son (left him in a chair in front of the TV all day, only allowed him to have one nap a day at three months old, left him in soiled clothes all day even though I had provided two changes of clothes) and she's lucky I never reported her.

[MapleMomma]

Sept 17, 2015 12:07:28 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

However, our first daycare was an in-home provided through DH's work. She was an awful woman who neglected my son (left him in a chair in front of the TV all day, only allowed him to have one nap a day at three months old, left him in soiled clothes all day even though I had provided two changes of clothes) and she's lucky I never reported her.

Why wouldn't you report her? What about future kids?

[cloe111479]

We are in an at home daycare

Pros -- It's DD and 1 other little boy, who just turned 2. (when she first started it was 3 kids total, but once has since left and gone to big boy school) So she gets lots of loving, and attention and really it is like going to a grandmas and not daycare. If she messes up her outfit, Ms. Mel washes it for us. If she does something new, she calls me and lets me know. She only keeps them until they are 2 or a little older because she knows at that point they need more of a pre-school sort of setting. She does things with them, but it is more like a grandmaw who is just watching them.

Cons -- She only keeps them til 4:30. We can't claim the daycare on taxes b/c we pay her cash. We get the random I need to leave early next friday things, which usually aren't a problem , but can be.

All in all, I wouldn't trade her for the world.

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 12:21:36 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

Sept 17, 2015 12:07:28 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

However, our first daycare was an in-home provided through DH's work. She was an awful woman who neglected my son (left him in a chair in front of the TV all day, only allowed him to have one nap a day at three months old, left him in soiled clothes all day even though I had provided two changes of clothes) and she's lucky I never reported her.

Why wouldn't you report her? What about future kids?

It was a daycare provided through my husband's work at close to no cost for the families.  It was a situation where reporting her could have impacted him negatively.  Also, I did try to report her, but the person handling the complaints had zero interest in pursuing it.  I think she thought I was just overreacting.  And since we have to go through certain channels, it was just not worth my time pursuing. 

[seamonster]

Sept 17, 2015 12:21:36 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

Sept 17, 2015 12:07:28 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

However, our first daycare was an in-home provided through DH's work. She was an awful woman who neglected my son (left him in a chair in front of the TV all day, only allowed him to have one nap a day at three months old, left him in soiled clothes all day even though I had provided two changes of clothes) and she's lucky I never reported her.

Why wouldn't you report her? What about future kids?

I would report her in a heartbeat both to the state and YH's company so she's never allowed to do that to someone else's child.

[michelle142]

Sept 17, 2015 13:15:56 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Sept 17, 2015 12:21:36 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

Why wouldn't you report her? What about future kids?

It was a daycare provided through my husband's work at close to no cost for the families.  It was a situation where reporting her could have impacted him negatively.  Also, I did try to report her, but the person handling the complaints had zero interest in pursuing it.  I think she thought I was just overreacting.  And since we have to go through certain channels, it was just not worth my time pursuing. 

I would have reported her directly to the state if there were serious signs of negligent care. 

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 13:16:52 GMT -5 seamonster said:

Sept 17, 2015 12:21:36 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

Why wouldn't you report her? What about future kids?

I would report her in a heartbeat both to the state and YH's company so she's never allowed to do that to someone else's child.

It's not a company.  It's more complicated than that.  And I did try going through the proper channels to complain, but since no one was interested in pursing it, I just dropped it.   

[MapleMomma]

Sept 17, 2015 13:15:56 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Sept 17, 2015 12:21:36 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

Why wouldn't you report her? What about future kids?

It was a daycare provided through my husband's work at close to no cost for the families.  It was a situation where reporting her could have impacted him negatively.  Also, I did try to report her, but the person handling the complaints had zero interest in pursuing it.  I think she thought I was just overreacting.  And since we have to go through certain channels, it was just not worth my time pursuing. 

these kind of things really great at my nerves. I feel really bad for you and your husband being put in the situation. Even free care should be good care and shame on his employer for not providing a safe way for you and your husband to complain about the care being provided.

A couple months ago my husband, who works with his dad and his brother within their family owned company, was attacked by another employee. His dad told him that if he reported it to the police that my husband would be fired. This situation reminds me of yours and is so frustrating to me .

I'm glad that you found better care for your little one.

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 13:17:58 GMT -5 michelle142 said:

Sept 17, 2015 13:15:56 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

It was a daycare provided through my husband's work at close to no cost for the families.  It was a situation where reporting her could have impacted him negatively.  Also, I did try to report her, but the person handling the complaints had zero interest in pursuing it.  I think she thought I was just overreacting.  And since we have to go through certain channels, it was just not worth my time pursuing. 

I would have reported her directly to the state if there were serious signs of negligent care. 

To be honest, I never thought to try the state. 

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 13:23:05 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

Sept 17, 2015 13:15:56 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

It was a daycare provided through my husband's work at close to no cost for the families.  It was a situation where reporting her could have impacted him negatively.  Also, I did try to report her, but the person handling the complaints had zero interest in pursuing it.  I think she thought I was just overreacting.  And since we have to go through certain channels, it was just not worth my time pursuing. 

these kind of things really great at my nerves. I feel really bad for you and your husband being put in the situation. Even free care should be good care and shame on his employer for not providing a safe way for you and your husband to complain about the care being provided.

A couple months ago my husband, who works with his dad and his brother within their family owned company, was attacked by another employee. His dad told him that if he reported it to the police that my husband would be fired. This situation reminds me of yours and is so frustrating to me .

I'm glad that you found better care for your little one.

It is really frustrating and I never should have placed him in there because we have friends who have had issues with the provided daycare as well.  And unfortunately, for the situation we're all in, there's only so far we can take things.  That's why many of us have chosen just to suck up the cost and put our kids in outside daycares.  Which sucks, because this is supposed to be one of the benefits of their craptastic job.

[MapleMomma]

Sept 17, 2015 13:27:58 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Sept 17, 2015 13:23:05 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

these kind of things really great at my nerves. I feel really bad for you and your husband being put in the situation. Even free care should be good care and shame on his employer for not providing a safe way for you and your husband to complain about the care being provided.

A couple months ago my husband, who works with his dad and his brother within their family owned company, was attacked by another employee. His dad told him that if he reported it to the police that my husband would be fired. This situation reminds me of yours and is so frustrating to me .

I'm glad that you found better care for your little one.

It is really frustrating and I never should have placed him in there because we have friends who have had issues with the provided daycare as well.  And unfortunately, for the situation we're all in, there's only so far we can take things.  That's why many of us have chosen just to suck up the cost and put our kids in outside daycares.  Which sucks, because this is supposed to be one of the benefits of their craptastic job.

What does YH do?

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 13:29:13 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

Sept 17, 2015 13:27:58 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

It is really frustrating and I never should have placed him in there because we have friends who have had issues with the provided daycare as well.  And unfortunately, for the situation we're all in, there's only so far we can take things.  That's why many of us have chosen just to suck up the cost and put our kids in outside daycares.  Which sucks, because this is supposed to be one of the benefits of their craptastic job.

What does YH do?

Since anyone can view these boards, for personal security reasons we aren't supposed to say. 

[MapleMomma]

Sept 17, 2015 13:33:44 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Sept 17, 2015 13:29:13 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

What does YH do?

Since anyone can view these boards, for personal security reasons we aren't supposed to say. 

No problem, just curious!

[seamonster]

DS goes to a center where the ratio is 3:1 for under 1 and I think 4:1 for 1-2. When we get there the babies and wobblers are together because more come later in the morning. Once they hit 5 mixed if another teacher isn't in yet the director or assistant director comes in to help. They feed the kids breakfast, but we give DS breakfast at home while we eat breakfast. The babies and wobblers get separated after breakfast.

Babies eat and sleep on their own schedules and they've done some sleep training with DS but recognize when he's just not having it. They let him sleep in a bouncer the first few months when he wouldn't nap flat. They provide meals so DS gets a wider variety than at home.

Lots of toys and they do development activities. He has a book with notes about sleep, eating, diapers, and some of the things he did during the day. He has a good time and they let the babies play on their own and give them individual attention. They also take them outside to play or ride in the wagon.

He's so happy to go to them in the morning. He's happy to see me when I come for pick up, but I can see through the window that he's having a blast.

This is the last week he's the youngest baby. Next week 5 month old twins start their transition.

[taberbtb]

Sept 17, 2015 13:33:44 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Sept 17, 2015 13:29:13 GMT -5 MapleMomma said:

What does YH do?

Since anyone can view these boards, for personal security reasons we aren't supposed to say. 

Omg. This makes me think of the CIA or something! Lol

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 15:53:31 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

Sept 17, 2015 13:33:44 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Since anyone can view these boards, for personal security reasons we aren't supposed to say. 

Omg. This makes me think of the CIA or something! Lol

HAHAHAHAHAHA!  Not nearly that exciting.  I've served in a volunteer capacity to provide help for other spouses before and had to take a class on personal security and they showed us how easy it is for someone to track you down on the internet.  It scared the daylights out of me so on public forums, I *try* not to give it all away.  I recently just went through and fixed some of my profiles that might not be as secure, hence the name and avatar change on here

[junebugjam]

We're at a center and I was wary of putting him in daycare but I really like it. Our ratio is 4:1, they keep his schedule in the infant room. They do all sorts of activities and crafts so I feel like he's getting experiences he wouldn't with me. He seems happy there and I trust that they're good to him. They also have an app so we get photos and a report every day that he's there. Adorable!

Cons are that he got sick after literally the first day being there and they've tried to convince me on more than one occasion that I wasn't feeding him enough, which I feel like is not their place unless I am obviously starving him. Personally I feel like they feed him too much and they still say it's not enough. /endrant

[taberbtb]

kaydee0402 totally understandable! I was really hoping he was on a top secret mission or secret service for the president

[cougarette]

Even though they caused me too freak out earlier this week, I love DS's daycare. They do so much with him and he's really excelling.

They have a 4:1 ratio, but they usually keep it closer to 3.5:1 with someone who goes back and forth between the two age groups. The only time I've only seen 1 teacher is when I picked him up at 5:30 and it was only N and one other baby. One of the directors is always there during drop off since it can get hectic.

They give daily reports and will let us know if he wasn't himself that day, or if he really enjoyed a certain activity. They're starting to take them on walks since it's cooling down outside. They do crafts and send weekly emails with pics.

They teach them sign language and have a monthly schedule they send out. For example, this week was weather with each day being a different theme.

[cougarette]

Sept 17, 2015 17:50:06 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

kaydee0402 totally understandable! I was really hoping he was on a top secret mission or secret service for the president

He's Bond

James Bond

[taberbtb]

We use a home daycare for one day a week, and my parents on the other since I'm only working M/F.

I wanted to get LO in at the Montessori close to us but they didn't have availability. I feel like it's more structured, and I may switch DD when she's older if there's availability and I think she would benefit from it.

The plus side to the home daycare is that DD is the only other child right now other than before/after school other than the lady's own 11m daughter. The other benefit is the flexibility for hours on the day I drop her off as well as extra time during the week if I need it. So far I have only needed it once, but it was nice not scrambling for someone to look after her for a few hours when I had appointments.

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 17:50:06 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

kaydee0402 totally understandable! I was really hoping he was on a top secret mission or secret service for the president

Haha I wish, because those jobs sound like they pay better! If we're friends on Facebook (do you use the Facebook group too?) it's pretty obvious what he does. It's not a big deal, just something I prefer not to share on here

[kaydee0402]

Sept 17, 2015 17:56:18 GMT -5 cougarette said:

Sept 17, 2015 17:50:06 GMT -5 taberbtb said:

kaydee0402 totally understandable! I was really hoping he was on a top secret mission or secret service for the president

He's Bond

James Bond

I just told my husband you said that and laughed. He has a HUGE James Bond obsession. Like we own every Bond movie ever made. I'm kind of embarrassed.