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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Daycare - pros and cons
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Anonymous
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We are in the process of figuring out what to do with our childcare situation. Currently, my aunt watches our 1 year old, but she is moving. Ideally, we'd like to find a part-time situation, but that is tough around here. So, we are considering full-time daycare. I am very nervous about leaving our daughter in a new, active environment. She is currently being spoiled with all the one-on-one attention she is getting in a peaceful setting. I like the idea of her being with other kids, but I just feel so nervous about her missing out on this special bond with one caretaker who truly loves her (the bonus of having a family member watching her). We can't afford a nanny, but would be open to a nanny share with another child so she has a playmate, but we have had no luck with this either. I have looked into in-home care, but the few homes I visited were sub-standard, in my opinion. It is so frustrating trying to figure out what the best option is and with the crazy prices and waitlists in this area, it isn't so easy to move on if the first situation does not turn out to be ideal.
So...for those that have younger children in a daycare, how is that working for you? What do you like/dislike. Any regrets? |
Anonymous
| What area are you looking for childcare in? |
Anonymous
We are looking in Bethesda/NIH/Grosvener. |
Anonymous
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http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/11476.page
This was my post in early April. My MIL had watched our son until he was 13 months. He got to be too much for her-with walking and getting into everything. It was a hard decision-but now, I know we made the right one. Our nanny show is open-the family that we shared with is moving. We live in Mt. Vernon. Our nanny is exceptional. |
Anonymous
Meant to write "Our nanny share is open-". Open starting June 1st-the family is moving at the end of May. |
Anonymous
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We can already tell that our son, almost 10 months, is a social butterfly--just like his dad. And that is what I like most about daycare. He just lights up when he sees his other little baby friends. I think I would prefer an in-home daycare setting (if I could find the right one) but in my short time looking I found that they couldn't offer the flexibility that a center can as they wanted children picked up by 5:30 and we just can't do that most days. I really do think the socialization is the biggest plus for daycare. He also spends some time each day in the older infant room (for walkers) and he enjoys being in there and watching the "big kids"--and hopefully will get some motivation to get moving.
As for the cons, my son was ill 3 times this winter, but that will happen in any multi-child setting or would when he started school. He naps terribly at daycare but wonderfully at home. I think that will improve when he is in a class that has a class-wide schedule. Plus, there are general issues of larger type centers that some people are uncomfortable with--as I was just reading our center's latest inspection report online this morning. Some of the violations are nitpicky stuff to me, but the fact that they aren't in compliance, regardless how nitpicky, obviously shows a level of mismanagement, incompetence, whatever you want to call it. But some centers are definitely better than others in that respect so just do your research if you go that route. |
Anonymous
I totally understand this, but also wanted to let you know that it isn't a given that your daughter won't be very bonded with her daycare caregivers, and have a lovely relationship (in both directions). My daughter was in FT daycare from 3 months to 3 yrs of age. While she was close with a lot of the caregivers, she had one particular caregiver from her infant stage and one from her toddler class that she totally bonded with and I am confident in saying that these caregivers loved our daughter (and vice versa). It was such a wonderful thing to see someone care so much for our daughter. The other teachers were very sweet and kind to her, but the relationship she had with these two caregivers went above and beyond. It was just lovely. We ended up moving abroad but when we visit DC, we go back to her daycare so she can see these two caregivers. And... speaking for myself, I had the same experience with two daycare caregivers as a child! Let me also add a caveat... my daughter is a wonderful, fantastic, child who I believe walks on water, but she isn't the easiest, mellowest child in the world. My point in saying that is that it isn't only the smiley, happy, mellow kids who are well-loved by caregivers. |
Anonymous
If your nanny share is still available, please email me at thepeppers20002000@yahoo.com. We live in Old Town, and have an infant. We would be very interested. Thanks. 
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Anonymous
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Our DD moved from an in-home care to a center this past Jan when she was 22 mos old. We loved the in-home care but the provider was moving and it was too far from home. It's been a difficult adjustment for her and she has had some separation anxiety from it. But she loves the school (she just wants me there too).
Pros: social aspect, more flexible than in-home care with hours, easy transition to preschool since she is already there (if you get one that goes all the way through) Cons: I think she learned better paired with older kids - I think she's a bit ahead of this class and gets bored easily; she has less one-on-one care, which really has only affected her when she has sep anxiety stuff |
Anonymous
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I was part of a nanny-share and LOVED our nanny, but I moved. I was terrified no one would love my little guy like she did. But I found a wonderful, private daycare center (family run, goes from infant - kindergarten) and I can safely say he is probably doing better there than with one-on-one care because there is so much more stimulation. Besides, the ratio of teacher to kid is so small, it is practically one on one. He loves his teaches so much that I sometimes worry when I pick him up that he has more fun there and would rather be at daycare than at home! He is thriving and I am thrilled. They are meticulous about following daycare rules, cleanliness, etc. I even have to take my shoes off before going into the class (he is in an infant/transition to toddler room, up to age 1)
Of course, he got sick a lot at first. But I figure better to get it out of the way now. Otherwise, he will just get sick alot at pre-school. I also read a study recently that said it is actually good for kids to get these illness' over and done with in the first year, as it makes them stronger to fight other sicknesses when they are older. |
Anonymous
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I think you need to do what you feel is right for you and your child. I know for us, the one on one interaction was very important. When I was torn between our nanny and a preschool spot that opened up (he's 15 months), I talked to several people with different childcare scenarios. A very good friend has had her daughter in daycare since she was 6 months-as shocking as it was to me, she told me to keep the nanny-children learn from interaction with other children around the age of 2.5-3-so the one on one is very important. Another friend, who has a degree in early childhood development and a SAHM-told me exactly the same thing. I'm not anti-daycare! I think you need to look at all scenarios/options and go from there. I also only work part-time-so I do spend a lot of time with my son-another choice I had to make
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Anonymous
OP here-what is the name of the center your son attends? By the way, I am not as concerned about germs. Even without a lot of interaction with other kids, our daughter still got sick 3x this winter. Does anyone know of a good in-home center in Bethesda-Rockville? I'd hate to rule them out, just haven't had any luck finding one that I liked. |
Anonymous
I don't agree with this. Our 1 year old has learned a ton from our 2 year old. It is amazing how much she wants to be like her big sister. I'd love to share our nanny a couple times a week, but we are in VA. |
Anonymous
I agree with that! When it's a couple of children, they still get one on one. I had a choice of a great daycare or keeping our nanny-with whom our son adores. In the end, I chose our nanny and did a nanny share. When he's 3-he starts preschool at the Montessori school near us. Our nanny share is open-and we live in VA-Mt. Vernon/Alexandria area. |
Anonymous
| My baby has been in daycare since he was 4 months old, and he hasn't really been sick all that much. It depends on the kid and depends on how strict the center is about following exclusion rules for sick babies. |