Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Hey girls, my husband and I are in a search of a perfect day care for our lo and unfortunately we'll have no choice but to take her to day care when she's gonna be 12 weeks old. We have been to a few day cares. Few homie ones, pretty much day cares at home where there are about 4-7 kids and also day cares like learning experience or tutor time where there are lots of kids and its big facilities but all ages are separated depending on age groups. At first we felt we wanted more homie environment for our lo but we really love the professionalism, cleanliness, security systems, etc in big facilities. We are so torn because what we expected from homie environments we will never find this kind of feeling there as we have seen in learning experience or other big facilities.
Infant moms especially what kind of day care did you choose and why?

Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Big...liked the staff and ratios..we also chose an naeyc certified center and they follow stringent rules and regulations us we had such a great feeling there...it's also very education oriented

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

i agree with big. at first we were leaning toward the home day care - i liked that it was smaller and felt like the baby would get a lot of attention. we ended up going with big and i have no regrets - we love it! i think its so much better in the long run in terms of socialization and education - they are exposed to a lot more and are around more children their age

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

That's what I am thinking. But educational I feel like its more for when they are a little older, when they are so little at 3 months old, don't you think they need more motherly feel? I'm soooo lost :(((

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Yes you girls are right, that's another thing that kind of concerns me that there are other kids different ages that will be around me 3 month old and I think I would be paranoid that those little ones might grab or hit, etc. oppose to big centers infants only stay with infants. Just really confusing!

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

My 7-month-old has been going to a family group day care since she was 11 weeks. I liked this atmosphere for her at such a young age. The centers felt too factory-like for me. My daughter gets so much love and attention there. However, when she gets to be 2 or 3, I plan to send her someplace more structured and educational.

Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

I have my DS in a center and has been since 8 weeks. IMO I would never put a newborn in the same room as older kids. Too much can happen. There are strict state regulations for newborns. I would be nervous they wouldn't be followed if the teacher had to run around after older kids.

Since the regulations are strict there is one teacher for every four infants. They do get that motherly attention. My DS first teacher still checks in on DS an its been over 6 months since she had him in her room. DS teacher have become an extended family.

Eta. Don't think they don't teach babies. My DS learned some sign language and the teach them shapes colors letters an numbers from an extremely young age. They helped teach my DS to walk.

Message edited 1/27/2013 6:23:02 PM.

Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

We looked at big and small and went with big. We liked that in a big center kids were moved every six month so they were with kids close in age - at the in home, there was a room for 6w-18m and then 18m+. Also, I liked that they didn't take a summer vacation which most of the home ones we looked at do.

There are 8 infants in each of the infant rooms and two teachers. DS 2 gets plenty of snuggle time with his teachers and I love how happy he is to see them at drop off.

Our center starts seriously teaching things at 18 mos. They do some circle time around 12 mos but they mainly read books. Some centers start early with with language though.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Message edited 1/27/2013 7:32:10 PM.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Yes that's what I'm also leaning towards to day care centers and not the homie ones. It's such a tough decision. Because both have positive and negative things. But I do love at in center ones infants stay with infants. Can you girls share which day cares you take your lo ones?

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

We do an at home daycare and I love it (5 kids max). It's like he has a second mommy and I prefer to leave him there over spending the day with Grandma hehe. He started there at 12 weeks when really all he needed was cuddles and feeding. When he is older we may consider a more structured/educational type setting but for now this really meets his needs. I think either setting can be great with the right people!

Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

if you have to use day-care, i prefer small. Obviuosly any place you go should be well-vetted. In child care i believe bigger is not better.our kids have the rest of their lives to be in big institutional type places ex. school. More intimate and cozy surroundings I think are better. But any where you go you have to feel comfortable safe and with.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

I should also add that we are not in a chain daycare, it's a daycare run by an ed evaluator and I will tell you, the kids there are loved and taught quite a bit..DD learns SO MUCH from being there and she started at 4.5 months old...

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

I have worked/owned a daycare for 10+ years. I've worked in a big daycare center and I've owned my own licensed family and than group daycare.

There are pros and cons to both. I really think as a mom you need to go with your gut.


I like the big programs for some of the reasons people mentioned. I think they are very good for older children who require more structure. I do not like them for babies. I don't like turn over for babies (meaning multiple care givers per day). In my in home program we held the babies almost all day. We didn't leave them in cribs when they cried or in jumperoos for long periods of time. I considered all the babies I cared for like family. I grew very close to their parents. Its just a totally different environment. In home programs are only allowed 2 babies per adult. Where a center can have 4. I find that to be far too many. My licenesor even told me that she felt babies did not get enough attention in the centers and she visits lots of programs. Of course this is all my own personal feelings. I'm not saying there aren't some amaazing infant programs and teachers out there in the centers because I'm sure there are. I've only worked at 2 large centers.

I am thinking about going back to school to finish my degree in the fall and I have two children age 2 and 7 months and I will need to find daycare for them. I would not put my 7 month old in a center. I just know I want her to be in a very small environment where she will be cared for by one or two people for the entire day. I am considering putting my 2.5 yr (who will be 3 in August) in a large center though. I think it would be valuable at her age to have some structure.

Message edited 1/27/2013 9:13:32 PM.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

We chose a big one
1) Licensing-although some home providers are licensed, many are not. I like that they have an authority to answer to.
2) Infection control - our baby had his own crib with his own mattress. There was one in home place that we had looked at that had pack and plays but they were shared. Big places have policies and are more likely to follow said policies about illness and infection control (i.e. cant stay if vomit, etc)
3) Ratio-I knew that DS was getting appropriate care because there was the appropriate staff available. Plus there wasnt a huge age range. An infant requires much more attention than a 4 year old.
4) Safety - as stated above, DS was in an infant room when he was an infant. Toys were age approprpiate for him. he was with other babies his age (not being trampled by bigger kids).
5) Learning - I love that they have curiculums. DS had his first word early and not only said it but signed it too. He is now in the preschool program at this facility. I am very impressed by his ability to write letters and the such. They have learning books that they work on and it just amazes me. I didnt do half the stuff he does at his age!

I also wanted to add, they really helped DS with his crawling and walking and were so helpful to us with his potty training. Although it may seem a bit much to think about educational aspects so early, something to consider is that babies can understand far earlier than they can express. Exposure does not hurt at all.

I strongly recommend TLE

I think having a place that look like a home is nothing compared to the caring and professionalism of the infant A teachers at that place! I think you will be very happy there if thats the route you take.

Message edited 1/27/2013 10:13:32 PM.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

We chose a daycare center for our kids. I didn't consider a home based cernter or sitter I just knew I wanted a school like atmosphere and lots of eyes and ears watching all the time.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Like you I liked the security, cameras, ratios, etc of the centers.
I also liked the fact that if a teacher or caregiver was out sick, on vacation, etc- it did not affect us- they always have coverage.
I like that the state is constantly in and out of our facility checking on things.
I like how strict they are with rules and regulations and safety issues.
I feel 100% at ease in my facility...not sure I could say that for some of the home places I looked at.
I also really really like that they have an actual cirriculum.
My DD is being prepped for preschool and pre-K- even at 2 years old- with a structured cirriculum

And even though the center is large, the classes are small and grouped by age.
My DD has been there since 9 weeks old and she has gotten so much love and attention from her teachers it is incredible.
I truly felt like i was leaving my baby with a family member. I never once had to think twice or worry.
And now that she is older, she is in LOVE with her teacher and I see the amount of love and hugs and kisses that she is showered with- it is amazing.

Message edited 1/28/2013 9:20:47 AM.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

thanks girls. Its so so hard I am so torn. Both have positive and negative things about it and really dont know what to do :(

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

up until 3 we did the in home day care. Now at 3 we send her to to a pre school for part of the day and the rest at the in home day care.

also we didn't go with one of the big chain daycares and went with a smaller one who has more of a homey feel to it.

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares

Re: Homie day cares vs. Large day cares