If you are debating about a day care close to work vs close to home

[Anonymous]

Our DC started kindergarten this year. He was at a daycare at near my work from 3 months to about 2 years. We moved to one close to home at 2 years and it was a very difficult and traumatic experience for us. BUT looking back, the 3 years at the center close to home was a good decision for our family. From the local day care, he has made friends with kids in our neighborhood and he even has a few of them in his kindergarten class at the public school. Also, it has been wonderful to have the day care available when we are sick, dr. apt, or just need a break. At the time, I was so torn about moving and I was not able to sleep for 2 weeks. Now, I cannot believe how silly I was and I think it was one of the best decisions we made. Had we stayed at the day care in the city, DC would not have made any friends in our neighborhood. Now he has tons and so do we.

[Anonymous]

Wow that sounds like us a few years ago-- but the difference is, it wasn't too difficult of a decision to make. Emotionally I was a bit sad but logistically it made so much more sense so I got over the sadness the very first week! I've made a lot more mom friends in our neighborhood daycare and still keep in touch with them even though our kids are now in different schools.

[Anonymous]

Also, you are more likely to change jobs than house.
Layoffs happen without much warning.

[Anonymous]

We did the opposite and I don't regret it at all. Preschool was fantastic and reasonable in price verses near us where it would have been $5000 more per year. Starting in kindergarten was enough and DC has tons of friends and so do we. The kids who attended full day preschools in the neighborhood knew 0 to 2 more children that DC did starting out. We belonged to a neighborhood playgroup though that made it easier to know families nearby.

[Anonymous]

I think the best thing is: decide based on what's best for your family as a whole so you can feel good about it. Once you feel good about it, your child will be successful and you'll all be successful. So, whether your child makes friends at the near home childcare center and therefore you make parent friends OR whether you join a playgroup to make local friends while going to childcare close to work.... the trick is you do what makes you comfortable and then it will all work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DC started kindergarten this year. He was at a daycare at near my work from 3 months to about 2 years. We moved to one close to home at 2 years and it was a very difficult and traumatic experience for us. BUT looking back, the 3 years at the center close to home was a good decision for our family. From the local day care, he has made friends with kids in our neighborhood and he even has a few of them in his kindergarten class at the public school. Also, it has been wonderful to have the day care available when we are sick, dr. apt, or just need a break. At the time, I was so torn about moving and I was not able to sleep for 2 weeks. Now, I cannot believe how silly I was and I think it was one of the best decisions we made. Had we stayed at the day care in the city, DC would not have made any friends in our neighborhood. Now he has tons and so do we.

Thanks for this input! This is exactly what I'm debating right now. Daycare close to home v work for my infant.

[Anonymous]

We chose daycare near our home and we love it because, if me or my husband can get off of work early, we can pick up the little guy and play with him for awhile. can't tell you how happy these extra 30 min or so have made me over the past year, it feels like such a nice treat that either of us can pick up/ drop off slightly early or late if our schedule allows it.

[Anonymous]

appreciate this post! thanks

[Anonymous]

I've done both (with preschool, not daycare) and both have their benefits. If you are going to have another child, close to home is good bc it's nice to be nearby while on maternity leave. I have such great memories of walking from home with the baby to pick up my preschooler. now I'm trying close to work - which is great for popping in for the family events at the school, and having it not eat too much into work time -- also good for occasional volunteering at the school. I also really like the time in the car with the kiddo - we listen to music, talk abut our day, etc.