Trying to decide HOME DAY CARE NEXT DOOR or corporate daycare

[Anonymous]

I would go with the home daycare if you feel comfortable with it, like the providers, and you feel that your child would be happy. I would steer as far as possible from coorporate daycares like Bright Horizons. They do a wonderful job at selling their programs and on paper they seem great. But beware, the actual centers are far from perfect, albeit at different levels.

[Anonymous]

Love our corporate daycare. It's a BH but it's in my building at work so it cannot be beat for convenience.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't just pick it because it's cute and next door...I would do your omework and talk to other parents and bring your child over and make sure they fit in. But assuming it all checks out, sounds like a good option for at least a year. I think at three, and definitely at four, kids benefit from the structure and resources of a daycare center.

[Anonymous]

If you are comfortable with the home daycare setting which sounds like you are, then home daycare for the first three years of life is great. Huge convenience to have one next door. Corporate daycare centers have high turnover which was very stressful for my two kids when they were babies and toddlers. Having said that, at about age 3, children outgrow the home daycare setting, and find a daycare with a preschool environment more stimulating. however, I would definately consider that home day until your child is 3-3 1/2. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

I had to choose between a center and a well regarded home daycare. I don't think it is a no brainier at all.

Tour her house, read her contract, ask for a reference and ask about who fills in for her for vacation, sickness? Is she state licensed? In VA you can check her violations. Does she have an assistant? What about her own kids? How do get in and out?

Vet a few centers the same way and then you will have your answer. I ended up liking a center better. It was well run with stable staff. The oversight and fact that I could call and stop by anytime made me feel better. The home daycare was locked so I could never just stop in unexpectantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to choose between a center and a well regarded home daycare. I don't think it is a no brainier at all.

Tour her house, read her contract, ask for a reference and ask about who fills in for her for vacation, sickness? Is she state licensed? In VA you can check her violations. Does she have an assistant? What about her own kids? How do get in and out?

Vet a few centers the same way and then you will have your answer. I ended up liking a center better. It was well run with stable staff. The oversight and fact that I could call and stop by anytime made me feel better. The home daycare was locked so I could never just stop in unexpectantly.

I wouldn't want a home daycare to have unlocked doors. most people lock their doors when they are home and with a daycare nad kids running around - my doors would absolutely be locked. That would be a plus not a negative for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Love our corporate daycare. It's a BH but it's in my building at work so it cannot be beat for convenience.

And really, convenience for the parents is the most important thing when looking for a daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to choose between a center and a well regarded home daycare. I don't think it is a no brainier at all.

Tour her house, read her contract, ask for a reference and ask about who fills in for her for vacation, sickness? Is she state licensed? In VA you can check her violations. Does she have an assistant? What about her own kids? How do get in and out?

Vet a few centers the same way and then you will have your answer. I ended up liking a center better. It was well run with stable staff. The oversight and fact that I could call and stop by anytime made me feel better. The home daycare was locked so I could never just stop in unexpectantly.

I wouldn't want a home daycare to have unlocked doors. most people lock their doors when they are home and with a daycare nad kids running around - my doors would absolutely be locked. That would be a plus not a negative for me.

+1 I agree. I do daycare and while i welcome my parents to stop by anytime (never had any that have!) my doors are kept locked. I am home alone with the kids and most times we are in another part of the house I couldnt hear people coming in and out. I do not want people able to just walk in not knowing who is coming in. After all. My home is still such, a home, not a walk in and out business. I would think parents would welcome the fact I keep their kids safe. No reason why a parent cant just knock on the door when they arrive and wait for me to open the door.