Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares? HAPPY UPDATE!!

Well, I'm having second thoughts about the privately run daycare I chose for Riley.

My friend was awesome and spoke to her daycare director at a really high-end 'institutional' type place. That's what turned me off when it came to the 'other' place I turned down...it felt like a factory to me (it is part of a franchise), and I wanted it to be more like 'home.' This woman used to teach in a church-run daycare and she put it all in perspective for me.

So...if your child is in one or the other, can you talk about your experience?

TIA!

UPDATE!!!!!!*******

I went to the more 'institutional' daycare that I turned down months ago, when it first opened. I didn't get the 'warm' feeling I was looking for because it was so new...there were literally three babies and one caregiver at the time. Now the place is full and thriving. And the best part? It's not as $$$ as I worried it would be because they have a NJ teacher's union discount! WOOHOO!!!

We spent a while there today...and I just loved the place all around, seeing the babies interact and being taken care of and meeting more people. I am SO MUCH HAPPIER and so relieved. I know Riley is in the best possible hands now!

WHEW!!

Thanks everyone for your support and advice!

Message edited 12/23/2009 4:02:31 PM.

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

My daycare is run in my church, it's 4-star, very well-run. It was important to me that my sons get a christian-based education (when they get a little older ), as well as excellent care. The women there genuinely LOVE my boys and I am very comforted that they treat them so well. They are not perfect by any stretch, and I get annoyed here and there (over little things, but annoying just the same). But my experience so far has been very, very good.

I hope you find a center that you are comfortable with!!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

You know Samantha was in a franchise place (I'm thinking you are referring to the same one that Samantha was at).

Aside from a few things I didn't like, I really loved it there and the teachers. Samantha LOVED it and I felt so bad taking her out.

Again, she is in a franchise place, and she seems to really be doing well there and enjoying it and the teachers. There are some things I like better about the other place and vice versa.

One thing I would recommend though based on my experience is to find someplace that has a separate crib room. Samantha is napping SO much better in the new place!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

DS is in a Kiddie Academy. I know they're all individually owned. I LOVE LOVE this daycare DS is at. The teachers are terrific. My fav was the Director. She always has the time to talk to me and answer and questions. The first week I complained about everything. I realized it's not that they were doing things "wrong," but they were doing it different. Now we have a happy medium. DS loves it there too. I see how happy he is and he's such a good and laid-back baby.

I also looked at a Tutor Time (not saying which one), but I heard great things about that franchise. Since they are also individually owned I can't say it for all, but the one I looked at I hated and heard some bad things about it.
Mason has been at this daycare for over 3 months and pple comment what a good baby he is. He's so friendly, smiley and easy-going. my fear was he'd change at daycare, but it only got better.
JMO... I think each place is different... private or institution. You HAVE to go with your Instincts. That's all.

Message edited 12/23/2009 9:33:48 AM.

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

Posted by EricaAlt
You HAVE to go with your Instincts. That's all.

Message edited 12/23/2009 9:41:15 AM.

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

Posted by TaraGotHutched

Posted by EricaAlt
You HAVE to go with your Instincts. That's all.

What I hate is that my instincts months ago when I was pregnant were wrong...and now my instincts are telling me something else and now I have to change.

UGH I should have booked this place then...now we're gonna pay WAY more than we could have. I know, that doesn't matter when you feel better about your DC's care. But I'm mad at myself that I didn't know better in the first place. They had just opened, and I just wasn't comfortable with a place so new. Now they're pretty much filled up- thank goodness they have one spot open!

Ugh I'm such a mess over this.

Thanks everyone!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

Thanks Erica...I'm heading there today actually. I'm so looking forward to feeling like we're doing the right thing finally! At least I hope that's how I'll feel!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

DD has been in both an "instituional" daycare, and a privately run daycare.

Originally, she was in a franchise daycare- that was sort of like a factory, but also felt like home. I thought it was great. They had a cirriculum (even for the youngest of babies). They were very anal about the cleanliness of the room. The staff was very experienced- and I felt it was GREAT! At first, DD was going part time- but then our situation changed, and we needed to send her full time- and their full time rates were way too expensive.

Right now, DD is in a privately run daycare at my church. What the first daycare charged for part time is what my current daycare charges for full time. It broke my heart to leave the first daycare, but this daycare is great too!

When we knew we had to take DD out of the first daycare, I visited just about every daycare center in my area. I was comfortable with NONE of them except the original daycare, and her current daycare.

I really feel like there isn't too much of a difference, its all about what YOU are comfortable with! You can't send your child to a place where you aren't comfortable, otherwise you will drive yourself crazy all day!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

DS attends a non-chain daycare and we love it! The place isn't very fancy, but we had a good feeling about them after spending time talking with the director and teachers during an open house. I popped in a few times unannounced before DS started just to get a feel for the place and went with my gut instinct. I can tell how much they love and care for him and he learns so much!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

My DS is not in daycare now, but he was when he was under a year old.

Personally, IMO, I prefer a center/institutional one. I liked the idea that I could always go to a higher up, if (and I never needed to) I needed to.

And I will say those girls LOVED each and every baby in the infant room, I think people sometimes have a misconception that a center is more "cold" than a privately run daycare, but that is so not true at all IMO

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

Franchise or not, a day care setting is all about the providers and their warmth. I am sure there are plenty of private and franchise day care settings that are wonderful as well as those that are inadequate by each of our standards.

Abby is in a franchise setting. the bottom line is that the teachers love her and I see her thriving. She is social. She is picking up words left and right. She knows songs. She has picked up sign language. Odds are she would have the same achievements if she were in a private setting as well.

ETA: I agree with Kate in that I like having a hierarchy and people are held accountable on multiple levels.

Message edited 12/23/2009 10:59:00 AM.

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares?

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares? HAPPY UPDATE!!

BUMP with update!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares? HAPPY UPDATE!!

glad everything worked out for you.

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares? HAPPY UPDATE!!

Tara- I just saw this update now! I am so happy that you feel better with the day care you chose!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares? HAPPY UPDATE!!

Thanks girls...I love that I'm actually 'excited' to send her there now! I can't wait to see how she learns and grows!

Re: Privately run vs. "institutional" daycares? HAPPY UPDATE!!

Glad to hear that you found a place your truly happy with. That's all that counts!!