NO DAYCARE

I returned to an old job b/c they had onsite daycare. We just got an email confirming rumours that as of Sept 2007 there will be no more daycare. I now have to find a good daycare center. Where do I begin? What questions should I ask? What can I expect to pay?

WHY ME?

Thanks!

Re: NO DAYCARE

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. Is it CA by any chances?

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Wow that stinks....I am so sorry!!

I don't have any advice tho, but good luck - you have time at least!

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oh no! So sorry.

Im having the same issues. I will let you know if I find anything, since we live close to each other.

Where ( town) do you work?

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Oh no...sorry to hear that? Where are you going to be putting your DC into daycare?

I am on LI and pay 1365 for 5 days a week, up to 8 hours a day...

let me know if you need more info.

Re: NO DAYCARE

I looked at Daycares in Farmingdale, Hicksville and Levittown.

$270-$289/ week for 45-50 hours of day care (except Tutor Time who are extended hours for free).

FM me if this is an area you are interested in.

Message edited 1/22/2007 11:51:50 AM.

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I am on LI. I live in West Babylon, and I have NO idea where my office is moving to yet

Re: NO DAYCARE

I can't help with actual daycare places since i am in ct.

1ST Step is to talk to other moms, like here and get recommendations
Then call the centers and ask about pricing etc

YOU SHouldn't have to MAKE an appt! Any place that wants you to make an appt keep lookin. You should be able to stop in and look whenver you want so they are not "preparing" for your visit.
Same goes for when DC is there, you should be able to pop in whenever you want to visit.

Go with your mommy gut, if you are not 150% comfy with the place, keep looking

Ask about holidays, sick policy, pay policy, what they do during the day, can you sit in a week or two before DC goes to see the day, how/when their cleaning schedule is, how/when they wash toys, teachers credentials, make sure they are licensed daycare centers, they should have 4:1 kid to teacher ratio.

When you are there, look for cleanliness, smell, how the teachers interact with kids, do the kids look happy, are the cribs/toys/play areas clean and new.

Is there security to enter and exit?

I hope that helps!

Message edited 1/22/2007 12:01:03 PM.

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Oh no - that stinks...such a huge benefit for them to be taking away.

We just registered with a daycare center and I still have the list of questions I used as a guide.

FM me with your e-mail address if you want me to send it to you.

Message edited 10/11/2007 2:52:58 PM.

Re: NO DAYCARE

There are a couple of great websites with lists of accredited day care centers as well as a list of really helpful questions to ask. Here are the links:

NYS Office of Child & Family Services DayCare Search


Child Care Council of Nassau - questions to ask


Hope this helps!

Re: NO DAYCARE

I received several FM so I will post my response here.

We looked at 3 daycares that had great recommendations (we contacted a home day care too but she did not room for an infrant):

I don't have the baby yet but we visited them "without" an appointment and this is our impression of them after seeing and talking to them. Of course, some people will disagree with me but this is OUR impression when DH and I visited them.

We looked at cleaniness, staff, equipment, etc.... and asked TONS of questions.

KIDDIE ACADEMY in Hicksville (on W. John Stree by the train station):

$289/week for 8-6pm
Staff: very clean and nice with kids
Directors was very thourough through the tour and answered all our questions
They did not have an opening for and infant until January 08 so that was not possible for us. They had someone ahead of us and would have had to see if they wanted the spot.


PRIME TIME in Farmindate (airport plaza):

Was highly recommended to us by co-workers.

Unfortunatelly this is the one that came at the bottom of the list

For 50 hours: $289/week
Staff: greater that gave a tour. Sloppy appearance t-shirt have way though the thigh 4 times too big for her. She just needed a crunchy in a hair and would have been ready to so either housework, painting or yard work. I know you don't judge people by their appearance but it was the first impression.
Staff with infant in particular: one infant was being changed. The staff did not clean the changing pads afterwards. While infants are cute, they can get sick and transmit to other kids (i.e. gastro, etc..). So.. not good!!
2 other ladies were "interacting" with infants. It did not look like they had any experience by their interaction with the babies. Hard to explain on this one. I felt (so did DH) they were cleaning ladies taking a break and find a couple of seconds to hold some infants' hand.
Owner: did not connect with her at all with our questions. She could not tell us if she would have a spot for us. Told us to call her AFTER we have the baby. I told her that I was not confortable waiting until the last minute for a daycare. She assured me everybody else did (not true!). That could be on a waiting list for $50 non refundable. When asked if it would be refundable if they don't have a spot, she said no..
We ended up leaving the place totally disgusted.

I am sure some love them but we did not.

TUTOR TIME in Levittown (across Tri Counry)

$280/week (went up for September)

Place was clean
Infant staff: very sweet. You could see the infants were happy and smiling and loved her and her assistant
I noticed papers on changing pads like in Dr.'s office. When asking later, they told us they use the paper and bleach after each kids.
Has the most extented hours for FREE. 6:30am-7:00pm (or 7:30pm can't remember)
Schedule outdoor time even for infants if weather permits.

Because of the location, confort level, price, hours availabe, etc...we picked Tutor Time. We also only needed $150 to reserve the place. Kiddie Academy wanted a registration fee and 2 weeks garantee.

As stated earlier, this is what WE (DH and I) thought of the places we visited. Other parents may have a different view.

Re: NO DAYCARE

Thanks for your thorough & honest answers. Very good information.