Daycare question

I'm due in Sept with our 2nd child. Our DD is 2 and has been going to the same daycare since about 3 1/2 months old. I told the owner we needed another spot and I guess they are changing things now. This is what she said:

Starting sept she will no longer have infants (for now) based the needs of the people that are there now. She will make the infant room from 10 months to 18 months and then have bigger toddler and preschool areas. She said if we were comfortable with having a four month old in with what will most likely be 12 month to 18 months in there in January then she would do that.



There are good things with that, I feel comfortable with the staff there, we wouldn’t have to switch DD and the baby would only be there 3 days a week. The only question is, is the age gap too big?


Right now if I send the baby anywhere the infant room would range from 6 weeks to 12 to 13 months, so there could potentially be a huge age gap in there anyway, depending on the enrollement.

I'm just looking for anyones thoughts on this topic!!

Re: Daycare question

Day care, I am finding to be some of the hardest decisions I have to make. Starting monday my 6 month old will be going to a large day care facility, with babues his own age, mixed up to 3 years old. (there is only one other 6month old in there) the rest are older.

In a couple of months, I am starting him in a small private day care, the youngest is 12 months. I think its fine, he loves all children, loves to watch them, and learn from them.

I think back to my childhood, my mom was home and I had 6 brothers, ALL different ages, and we did great,so..go with your gut. If you are comfortable with your childs caregivers, then I would stay, because it is hard to find someone you trust.

GOOD LUCK

Re: Daycare question

My DC's are the oldest kids in their infant room right now... 12 months. Two others are about 9 months and the other two are 4 months. Yes, big gap within that room. My DC's will be moving up in a month.

In your circumstance my concern would be ratios of caregivers to children. I know the 12-18 month room at my center, every child is walking. I'd be a bit nervous having an infant doing tummy time in a room full of walkers but then again I guess it's done in homes all of the time. I also know that there is a more definite schedule of meals/naps in the 12-18 month room at my center where the infant room is based on the individual needs of every baby.

Is this a home daycare?

Re: Daycare question

No it is a center. The enrollement needs of the children there have changed and sinee she hasn't had a full infant room in years, she is doing away with that temporarily for now to accomodate the greater needs for toddlers and preschoolers.

I have to worrry about DD and the new baby at home at tummy time. I guess i'm looking for excuses to stay there since we like the staff.

I think the ratio would be the 1 to 4 as it is in an infant room. I'm sure one of the staff would focus most of their attention on an infant on the floor when tummy tme is occuring.

Daycare decisions are the toughest!

Re: Daycare question

The ratio is 4:1 until the child is 18 months old...

Children 18 months and up are not allowed to be combined with infants...

It sounds like your center only has x amount of spots available- and the majority of children taking those spots are older babies...

Re: Daycare question

Yes, the range would only be up to 18 months in that room (10-18months), with my child being the exception. She is reoranizing the center to fit the needs of more toddlers and less infants.

She will have a 4 to 1 ratio in there, that is her rule and she still has that in the 18 month to 2 year old room.

Basically she had a room for 6weeks to 12 months but the need for infant care has dropped, so to be profitable and more accomodating to the needs of the rest of the children she is changing the infant room to 10 -18 months, with my child being the exception if I choose.

Re: Daycare question

That is a rough decision. But, like you said, if you sent the baby somewhere else, the age gap could also be 12-13 months. Are you happy with them overall, I think if I was, I might stick with them. Edited to say, I noticed a big difference in my DD just by her watching and playing w/my 3 year old nephew (she's 6 mos). The older children might push the baby to do activities, which is great. You could benefit in a way.

Message edited 4/4/2008 8:54:28 AM.

Re: Daycare question

Thanks, I had that thought in the back of my mine too.