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pickle
LIF Toddler
Member since 5/05 491 total posts
Name:
Marie
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When to start looking into daycare?
I'm about 5 1/2 months and have started getting a list together of providers in my area (Lindenhurst). However, I feel silly calling places since I probably won't need to enroll our baby until say, mid Feb-March (depending how long my job lets me stay out with accrued vaca & disability combined)..
When did you all start? I thought now would be fine, but was looking for some feedback..
Thanks a bunch!
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Posted 7/28/06 9:54 AM  |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
I haven't had to search for public day care, since I have someone to watch baby, but I would say to start as soon as possible! Some places have pretty long waiting lists. And, I would rather be safe and be early than have them tell you that they can't accomodate you until after you need them.
Good Luck 
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| Posted 7/28/06 10:07 AM |
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Charly
LOVE!
Member since 5/05 12578 total posts
Name:
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
I started at 18 weeks and was only able to find 1 with openings for March 2007!!! The earlier the better!!!
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| Posted 7/28/06 10:12 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
Start as soon as you can. Places book up fast
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| Posted 7/28/06 10:35 AM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
My DD was due in May, and we started our search in January. I plan on putting her in September.
The place we wound up going with September was there first opening, and that was when we booked them in jan!
I'd start search now, the daycare centers i spoke with didn't mind or care that i was still pg and they some actually said to me it was good i was lookin so early.
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| Posted 7/28/06 11:14 AM |
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
Do you mind if I kind of hijack your thread?
If everyone works full time how do you go about calling a bunch of places? I can't make 100 personal phone calls here each day. Also, do you go after work to check out the places? I'd almost want to go when its busier so you get a true feeling for the environment.
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| Posted 7/28/06 11:19 AM |
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pickle
LIF Toddler
Member since 5/05 491 total posts
Name:
Marie
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
Posted by FireIslandLove
Do you mind if I kind of hijack your thread?
If everyone works full time how do you go about calling a bunch of places? I can't make 100 personal phone calls here each day. Also, do you go after work to check out the places? I'd almost want to go when its busier so you get a true feeling for the environment.
That's a great question!
Luckily, my DH works nights, so I'm hoping to send him on some morning 'errands', but otherwise, i think that i may just have to narrow down my choices, take a sick day, and check them out sometime. Or combine checking out with days i have drs appts so I don't have to take too much additional time...
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| Posted 7/28/06 11:25 AM |
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Charly
LOVE!
Member since 5/05 12578 total posts
Name:
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
There really aren't that many choices (at least where I am.) I made of list of places that were locationally desirable (was about 5 places), checked to see if they had websites, asked neighbors, friends, coworkers etc, did some internet research first - use this site it gives a lot of info and you may be able to narrow it down (hours not good, don't care for infants, too many violations, etc.)
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
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| Posted 7/28/06 11:35 AM |
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aimerliny
LIF Infant
Member since 5/05 336 total posts
Name:
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
I'm in Lindenhurst too. Did you find a good selection in our area?
I also heard from a neighbor that there are many stay-at-home moms that will watch infants on a more personal basis until they are ready for a more public day-care situation.
Does anyone have any idea on costs?
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| Posted 7/28/06 11:36 AM |
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Melbernai
I am a lucky Momma!
Member since 7/05 15652 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
I would also say to start early! Many of the best daycare places have long waiting lists, and I've heard of so many moms who had to find alternative situations because they couldn't get in.
Plus, it really is worth taking the time to visit places, ask questions, and see a few places so that you can do a compairison, especially if you are looking for a center and not just a friend of the family.
As far as prices I have a friend who is a SAHM and watches my daughter, her own daughter, and her aunt's daughter. We pay her about $500-600/2 weeks so $1000-1200/month. I would say that a licensed center would be a bit more then that.
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| Posted 7/28/06 11:40 AM |
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Charly
LOVE!
Member since 5/05 12578 total posts
Name:
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
Posted by aimerliny
Does anyone have any idea on costs?
I'm in Putnam but I think the costs are comparable to LI. I'm paying $260 a week ($1040 a month)
You do pay for the full week even if your child is out sick or stays home for a day or 2.
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| Posted 7/28/06 11:43 AM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
Posted by FireIslandLove
Do you mind if I kind of hijack your thread?
If everyone works full time how do you go about calling a bunch of places? I can't make 100 personal phone calls here each day. Also, do you go after work to check out the places? I'd almost want to go when its busier so you get a true feeling for the environment.
Honestly, I didn't call places I just went there on my lunch hour. I didn't cold call places, the places I visited were solely based on recommendations from people.
I was told if you need to make an appt to see a center, stay away! They should be happy to see a drop in, so they aren't planning for a visit and you get a good idea on what the place looks like, runs on a normal day.
You really don't want to go there around nap times and at the end of the day. The end of the day parents are in and out and you won't get a true look, and around nap times, the place is quiet, and you still can't get a good look at teacher/infant interaction.
When I finally booked my place I went there at different times of the day, once in the am, then in the afternoon around naptime, and we when we brought the deposit in, we did go when parents were picking kids up so we could see the relationship between teacher and parents. I def liked what I saw everytime I went there and felt truely comfy leaving my DD there.
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| Posted 7/28/06 12:25 PM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
Posted by sweetness
Posted by FireIslandLove
Do you mind if I kind of hijack your thread?
If everyone works full time how do you go about calling a bunch of places? I can't make 100 personal phone calls here each day. Also, do you go after work to check out the places? I'd almost want to go when its busier so you get a true feeling for the environment.
Honestly, I didn't call places I just went there on my lunch hour. I didn't cold call places, the places I visited were solely based on recommendations from people.
I was told if you need to make an appt to see a center, stay away! They should be happy to see a drop in, so they aren't planning for a visit and you get a good idea on what the place looks like, runs on a normal day.
You really don't want to go there around nap times and at the end of the day. The end of the day parents are in and out and you won't get a true look, and around nap times, the place is quiet, and you still can't get a good look at teacher/infant interaction.
When I finally booked my place I went there at different times of the day, once in the am, then in the afternoon around naptime, and we when we brought the deposit in, we did go when parents were picking kids up so we could see the relationship between teacher and parents. I def liked what I saw everytime I went there and felt truely comfy leaving my DD there.
I totally agree with this. If anyone has any questions regarding day care please feel free to FM me too 
Here are the two child care councils on LI. They both have a refferal service
http://www.childcaresuffolk.org/
http://www.childcarenassau.org/
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| Posted 7/28/06 12:36 PM |
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annie
This is how I play basketball!
Member since 6/05 1980 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
now!!! we put down a deposit on July and our baby won't be starting day care until January 30th. i didn't want to lose the spot- the good places get filled quickly! don't feel silly looking early- they are all very used to it & will encourage you to come in and reserve early.
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| Posted 7/28/06 1:54 PM |
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
I am getting so nervous!  I need to a) find a place that will take 2 and b) the prices!!!  This has been a great thread, thanks for the advice!
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| Posted 7/28/06 1:59 PM |
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Chicken92305
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/06 684 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: When to start looking into daycare?
ASAP....i was a teacher at a daycare and once a parent found out they were pregnant they would put there name on the list for the infant room because it was such a high demand for a spot. Hope this helps! also call whichever centers you are interested in so they can give you a tour.
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| Posted 7/31/06 12:18 AM |
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