Daycare moms and maternity leave

I'm sending DS into daycare 3 days a week (they don't do 2) when I'm on maternity leave. He's only 4, but loves it there and I want to keep him on some schedule.
Plus, they have summer activities for the toddlers. Lots of outside play (when it's not too hot like today or it's just morning outside play), sprinkler days, baby pool, little carnivals, etc.

I worked it out with the Director that the time he goes 3 days it will be much cheaper. Right now he goes 2. I'm due Friday July 8th, but starting maternity the week b4 and will send Mason in the week I'm off (only for part of the day and pick him up after nap).

Anyone else do this? I figured he'd rather be out playing with kids at least a couple of days a week then be stuck in with me and the newborn. I'd also do Mommy and Mason days too since my parents are around the corner they can watch the LO and I can take Mason to the beach or park.


ETA - I put he goes 2 days to daycare, but I meant 4. My parents watch him Fridays

Message edited 6/9/2011 1:04:03 PM.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I will be on maternity leave Nov/Dec, and I will send DD her normal 3 days a week...I think it's good for her routine to stay as "normal" as possible, plus she loves going and playing with the other kids....

She's 4 though, so it's preschool more than day care...but I'd do the same even if she was younger.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

You are so lucky to be able to do this! I'll have K up my arse!!

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I don't think DS's day care will let me switch from his current 5 day a week schedule and still hold a 5 day a week spot for him when I return in January, so I plan to keep him in the 5 day a week program, but drop him off later and pick him up earlier.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

DS goes to daycare (in-home though) 5 days a week. I'm due Oct. and will have a scheduled c-section. Unfortunately my maternity leave is unpaid, but DH and I decided we would have DS continue to go to daycare 5 days a week to not disrupt his schedule, plus it'll make for a better recovery period for me with the csection. DH also gets home with him by 4pm so he'll be with his little brother and I after that.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

My maternity leave is ending next week and that is what I've done. DS has been going to our sitter 3-5 days each week. I pay for the week no matter what, so I send him most days. It was a godsend the first week I was home from the hospital.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

Thanks ladies! What toddler doesn't want to run around outside and play when they can. Figured he'd have more fun than being stuck inside with me with a newborn and recovering from the c-section.

Plus, as you said, it's good to keep them on the same routine.

I'm lucky the Director worked with us. I know them well b/c I worked there many, MANY years ago when I was going to college and know the Kindergarden teacher. She is DH's cousin and set us up.
They are one of the cheaper daycares, but I don't let them know that

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I'll be on leave come Dec. and DS will be staying in daycare for the 2x a week he goes. He'd have much more fun there with other kids, then being stuck at home with Mommy and a new baby. The other 3 days he'll be with me though, unless my Mom or MIL still want to take him some days. (I figured I'd give them some time off too but knowing them, they'll still take him for a few hours)

Message edited 6/9/2011 1:01:18 PM.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

That's my plan, but I use an in-home provider, so she's really flexible.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I sent Aidan to daycare 3 days a week last summer when I was home on maternity leave. Best decision I made! He loved it! He came home happy and talked all about the things they did. It also gave me some alone time with Julian.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

We kept DD in daycare after DS was born. We did this because we didn't want to disrupt her routine in addition to bringing a new baby into the house. She thrives on her routine. I didn't end up going back to work, but she still goes her same two days. She loves it and learns so much.

If you afford it, do it!

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I am due when you are. I plan on continuing his school (5d a week) but I will try and join them for outdoor play and pick him up early if the baby is cooperating so we can go to the park. I told him mommies with a new baby are given more time at home so they can be with all their children more. I hope this works!

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

Ill be on Maternity leave Jan/Feb/Mar and I plan on keeping DS on his normal 2 days per week schedule.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

Not sure if im answering this correctly but AJ was in daycare a full week before I went to work. Full time every single day all day. I was still on maternity leave.

For me it was a good test of how we'd both handle it. It was fine by day 3 then I just left here there.

I see no issue with it especially at an older age where he's having fun, etc. Same as a camp really. Why not?

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I actually just spoke with the daycare director yesterday about this. Kieran currently goes 4 days. When I'm on leave, we'll send him 2 days. His world at home is going to be turned upside down a bit, so we want to keep as much normalcy as we can for him during that adjustment period. Additionally, I'll be on leave for about 3.5 months and if I kept him home that whole time, it would be such a hard transition for him when he goes back. I couldn't put him through that. At the same time, I couldn't send him all 4 days, because I would miss him too much (he goes to daycare at my job so I spend my lunch break with him every day as it is!). And I think it will be important for us to have bonding time as a new family of 4.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

i kept DS in 2 days per week duirng maternity leave...best.thing.ever

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I kept DD in part time when I was on maternity leave. It kept us both from going insane.

Re: Daycare moms and maternity leave

I kept DS in full time (just stopped late pickup) then entire time I was on leave. I kept him home here and there but overall we were able to keep his routine unchanged.

We were fortunate that we were able to do that - most of my leave was at 100% pay - but if we had not been able to do the full time I would have tried my best for some sort of part time arrangement. I loved that he kept his routine, got to see and play with his friends and participate in the programs throughout that time.