Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

I am torn! We have to make a decision this week about which daycare center (otherwise we can lose our spot). I am having a real hard time choosing between two. My husband visited both and told me it was my decision but I can tell which one he would choose.

One of them is in Hicksville and very convenient for us. My husband could share in the drop off/pick up since he takes the train into the city. The price is reasonable and is for a 10 hr day (although I work from home and planning on more like 6 hrs a day, occassionally a couple of more). I think DS would get good care, the facility was clean. From what I have heard they have a good reputation and the place is pretty full, which is a good sign. I found the admin staff to not be as professional & their tour of the facility wasn't very put together. It was more of me asking them questions & them answering vs them volunteering a lot of info. On my first visit I met with one of the co-Directors and she gave me a tour. I found out the following week that Friday (2 days after I met with her) was her last day. So I went back and met with the other (now only) Director. I also met (upon my request) with the teacher and she seemed nice. I didn't get to observe her much with the kids. We didn't really click either. She has been the infant teacher for 4 months and prior to that was the assistant for a year. All the people I met with (except the Director who just left) looked a bit sloppy IMO. I am not trying to be superficial at all & I know this is image and may have no effect on how they care for my son. I just want my son to have the best care & opportunity as I can provide and they didn't give me that feeling. Now it could be they don't need to "sell" themselves. I know they have a curriculum and do a lot of projects with the kdis, but they didn't tell me all that much about it. I realize they work with kids all day on the floor, but still it is something that is sticking with me. Another thing is when I went back for my second visit, the floater who brought me into the infant room obviously had a cold. When we entered the infant room she picked up one of the kids and held him the entire time. The policy is if a child is sick they have to go home and be sick-free for 24 hrs, I would think staff shouldn't be handling kids if they are really sick.

Now the second place is further away and I would have to do the drop off/pick up myself. For a 6 hour day it is $200 more a month then the other place charges for a 10 hour day. A full day would be an extra $500 a month. The facility is only 4 months old and is not full. They have room for 5 infant class rooms and currently are using 2. I think there is one classroom for each of the other age groups right now. Since it is new, everything is nice & clean. They are definitely more professional and polished. The tour they gave me was excellent and they seem to have more resources. They talked a lot about their education philosophy and put a lot into their curriculum, all over the center they have stuff hanging. Each day they take pictures of the children and post them in the room & send them home. I met with the Director and an infant teacher, I also met a few other teachers and the asst Directors. I really liked all of the people I met and was very impressed with their experience. They seemed to cover all their bases with me and more. I am not sure if they would actually provide better care for my son or if they are just better sales people and have the whole image thing down.

Any suggestions on what to do?

Re: Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

First off, I know how difficult this decision must be for you

Could you try the first place and if it doesn't work out for you, switch to the second place? You said it isn't full so it seems like you could always get in at a later time if the first place isn't the right fit fo you.

Re: Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

I know choosing a daycare can be so difficult. When we were looking for one for my oldest dd it was very hard. I looked at three of them and ended up going with the one further away (I'm in Levittown and the center was in Hicksville) b/c I overall had a better feeling about it when I went there. For me it ended up being about 50 extra a week and further for me to drive, but I went with my gut instinct. Has your dh went to look at the places with you? I know once I narrowed them down I had mine go and he gave me his thoughts sometimes the same and other times different and it helped. 500 extra a month seems like a lot to me, if you feel better about the second place though I would go there. If not, maybe you can try the first place for a week or two and then switch if it is not working out. I wish you the best of luck.

Re: Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

when we had to choose a new daycare we faced a similar dilemma....the first place was older, not as bright and much quieter than the second. the woman seemed nice enough, but she too, was a bit unkempt - now i normally don't care about other's appearances, but i figured the same thing "how would they treat my baby if they are not treating themselves well"

the second place was 40 more per week (makes a difference when u live in fl b/c salaries suck!)so it was more of a financial burden but oh so bright and lively and all of the women were put together well, the kids seemed happy and stimulated

i went with 2 and figured that if it got too expensive, then we'd have to switch to the other, but he really likes this place and they seem to do a good job with him

ulitmately you have to feel 100% with whomever watches him

good luck

Re: Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

Posted by FelAndJon

First off, I know how difficult this decision must be for you

Could you try the first place and if it doesn't work out for you, switch to the second place? You said it isn't full so it seems like you could always get in at a later time if the first place isn't the right fit fo you.

Re: Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

I would say always go with your gut

Re: Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

Re: Childcare - Don't know how to decide (long, sorry)

I know what you mean, it's SO hard. I can only speak for myself...I just didn't get the vibe on the first place which is open every day except the major holidays (xmas day, thanksgiving) and is open earlier...but the infant room was dark and smelled like peepee and the teachers just looked like high turnover to me.

The second place I walked in and just felt like a big wave of a gut feeling like this was IT, it was cleaner, the people seemed more like teachers and the infant room teacher had been there for like 20 years...it was also much more money and is closed according to most schools (a week in december, a week in august, a week in april, and all jewish holidays etc) but it was just the right fit....

so we went with the more expensive, less easier option and I never for one second regret it. Bella is getting an education, she still asks for her infant teachers and every morning when she runs AWAY from me, I just smile and feel happy that she is so happy.

Good Luck whatever you decide.

Message edited 1/28/2008 5:56:01 PM.