Switching Daycare Dilemma- Bright Horizons vs La Petite Academy

[Anonymous]

We just got off the Bright Horizons innovation station's waiting list for our 7 month old and we are completely torn about whether to switch our DD.

A little background. I work at the PTO, so the BH was pretty much the only daycare we really wanted to get into when I was pregnant. I put her on the waiting list when I first got pregnant, and have been waiting. When I realized that she probably wouldn't get in when I went back to work, we put her in the La Petite Academy in Kingstowne (close to our home), and kept waiting. Now, we got a spot for August and we are torn about whether to switch her.

We have done a pros and cons list, but we can't seem to decide. I figured we would post here, just in case anyone had any good ideas.

Pros to switching:
Close to work
Clean and newer facility
With other PTO employee kids
$100/month less expensive than La Petite
Coworkers that had their kids there seemed to really love it.

Cons to switching:
La Petite is close to home. She would make friends that would probably live closer to us. She would be commuting less of a distance.
Toddler room situation - she will be 9 months when she starts at the daycare (BH), so she will be in an older infant classroom. The daycare (BH) said that there is no guarantee that she will get into the toddler room by the time she is 13 months, and it will likely be next September before she gets into the toddler room (when she is 21 months). She will be in the older infant class with kids that are similar in age, but she will always likely be one of the oldest in the class.

We have been perfectly happy with La Petite, but when we went there we were only thinking she would stay there (LP) until we got into Bright Horizons. Then BH gave us the impression that she would likely never get in, so we convinced ourselves that LP was fine. Then we got into BH, but we can't really remember why we thought BH would be so much better. Especially given how well she's been doing at LP- They (LP) totally sleep trained her, taught her to play by herself and with others, did tummy time, etc.

Any ideas? We are stumped!

[Anonymous]

Personally, I think if you are at a day care you are happy with and you trust the providers, I would not switch. There is nothing worse than not trusting your day care.

Questions that will help you think through:

-- How long is the commute? How bad would it be with a toddler (who may not want to stay in stroller, car seat, traffic etc)? Is your child active and squirmy already?

-- Do you travel or work from home? If yes, is your office going to work for DH to share drop off/pick up duties? Is your schedule regular enough that you can always do drop off/pick up?

-- Do you plan to do preschool at 2, so your child will only be in daycare for another year or year and a half? Then, maybe just stay put.

--Can you have frank conversations with parents who are at the PTO place as to whether they REALLY love it? I have found that most parents will say they "like" their day care (because who wants to think their child is in a sub par place). Also, were they there recently, with current teachers ,etc.

--The transitions issue would annoy me. We went through that at our center. DS was always the oldest in his class and never got moved at the appropriate times due to poor planning (i.e. day care accepting more kids even though they knew DS and other kids would be ready to move in a few months).

-- Does either place have an outdoor playground? It will be very important once your child is running around.

[Anonymous]

Just commit with the toddler to DC will be very bad experience.

[Anonymous]

Commuting any real distance to get your kid to daycare really just plan stinks, esp as they get older. Stay put, imo.

[Anonymous]

If your child is happy keep her where she is. There is really no benefit, other than she will be closer to you, for going with BH.

[Anonymous]

The issue concerning transitioning to the next room would bother me. We stayed put when we got off a long waiting list for the same reason. We're also in Kingstowne and recently got into the center that supposedly everyone just loves, it's impossible to get into, etc. When we finally got in, we didn't see what the big deal was compared to the place DC had been for a year, and the delayed transition pushed us to just stay put. For us, DC likely wouldn't have moved to the 2s room until he was nearly 3. I also prefer my kids closer to home than work, but I know people differ on that preference.

[Anonymous]

If the daycare is trustworthy stay where you are.

[Anonymous]

If you will work at USPTO for a LONG time, I will switch. I toured at both centers and although I don't have first hand experience with either of them, I will choose USPTO because
1. Like you said, it's cheaper
2. It's newer and better facility. They have an indoor gym
3. You can visit your baby during lunch
4. PTO is NAEYC accredited
5. Their ratio is better ( I remember their ratio for 2 year old is 5 to 1? Usually it's 8 to 1. just thinking ahead. )

However, I have heard some people said that BH rotates their staff from room to room. You might want to clarify that.

[Anonymous]

All large daycare centers rotate staff to cover ratios. It is understandable whay they do this. Saying that, I would stay where you are if your child is happy. All cooperate daycares basically run their centers the same and quite honestly if you find a room with a teacher you like, educated or not, feel like you have won. You have no idea how many providers my DD's daycare got rid of, fired, moved out, etc. I wish you luck.

[Anonymous]

If you are comfortable with the current daycare, my recommendation is not to switch. BH is overrated-yes, their centers are bright and clean but they can't seem to retain staff. i would definately not move based on $100 less per month. The most important aspect is that your child is doing well in his environment and you are comfortable with the providers.

[Anonymous]

What is up with BH being so highly touted? I keep getting told the same thing about BH's waiting list and how people are obsessed with getting in. But I just called La Petite and they charge $440/week for infant care, that's more than I've been quoted EVER...including a lot of fancy places in Reston and DC. I guess I just want to know what all the hub bub about BH and La Petite is about (will your preschoolers speak mandarin when they graduate?). WHAT is up?

[Anonymous]

DC is in a daycare close to DH's work and it's a huge pain when he travels, takes a day off, or teleworks and I have to drop her off because it's out of way so I end up with a long commute and DC stays at daycare longer on those days. Daycare close to home is a lot more convenient for drop off and pick up. If your child is settled where she is and you like the providers, I would not switch her. We were at a beautiful Bright Horizons for about 2 years and moved DC out as soon as a spot opened up at another daycare because the staff turnover was horrible. She had about 8-10 different providers in 2 years. The center was pretty and they did an excellent job marketing their product but some of their centers are unable to retain staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is up with BH being so highly touted? I keep getting told the same thing about BH's waiting list and how people are obsessed with getting in. But I just called La Petite and they charge $440/week for infant care, that's more than I've been quoted EVER...including a lot of fancy places in Reston and DC. I guess I just want to know what all the hub bub about BH and La Petite is about (will your preschoolers speak mandarin when they graduate?). WHAT is up?

Basically it just boils down to supply and demand. There is nothing great, special, or "dreamy" about bright horizons d as care centers. So why do people think they are so great? Flashy marketing, freshly painted walls, and convenience. The reality is not a pretty picture.

[Anonymous]

we love our BH center, but having daycare near home i think is much better because like everyone says - if you are sick or have a day off or work from home, its a huge pain to go all the way in to town to take kid to daycare. i'd stay where you are if you are happy there.

our BH also warned us about transition issues, but so far no problems. our daughter has actually always been able to transition ahead of schedule (pleasant surprise). they just can't promise you anything because they don't know when the openings will happen.