Should we change daycares? (preschool age)

[Anonymous]

DD is 2.5 and potty trained, and I am deciding whether to move her to full-day preschool this coming fall.

I really like the daycare we are at now, which is a Federal center in my office building (not a Bright Horizons). It goes through Pre-K, is NAEYC accredited and well-run, and I have no concerns about her learning what she needs to. Every person in the center knows DD's name. It's also subsidized so tuition is about 60% of what I would pay on the private market.

But, I'm commuting about 25 miles by car to my office, and that's a lot of time in the car for DD. It also means I don't take any sick days, etc. unless I can arrange for grandma to watch DD; with a full-day preschool near my house I could drop her off and take a day here and there. I'm also thinking about changing jobs (I'm not in a rush to leave but the commute is bad for me too) which would mean changing childcare and I worry about having a job offer but no open spots at a preschool.

On the third hand, none of the preschools I'm looking at our NAEYC accredited and I'm not sure how to tell which are well-run. All are much more expensive that what we have. And if we move DD, DH and I would split our days, with me leaving before DD wakes up so as to pick her up in the afternoon, while he did the reverse.

WWYD?

[Anonymous]

<< 2.5 and potty trained >>

Perfect timing.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if you're happy, I wouldn't rock the boat.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your existing deal is pretty good, with a couple of small downsides. I'd stay there until you NEED to change - like of you switch jobs.

[Anonymous]

Another one for leaving everything as is until you or DH actually change jobs.

Maybe you can get on the lists for the other place (if it's a day care).

Does your DD not like the car or you just think it's a long time?

[Anonymous]

We left briefly for at about that age for a daycare closer to our home that was good, but not great. Financial was one of our factors, but it just wasn't worth it. I immediately regretted leaving our well run, loving daycare where our son was thriving. Luckily, we were able to switch back within a few months due to kids leaving for PK3 in the District.

It was a classic grass is greener situation, and I hear you on the lack of sick days and for me I do both pick up and drop off as husband works in the other direction.

But, from the beginning I have decided to just embrace the commute as together time. I try to use it as time together like any other time where we listen to music, play random games like "count the stoplights," and talk to each other about our day. Or we just sit and relax after a long day, which everyone needs anyway.

There will always be pros and cons, but my advice is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Neither situation is perfect, but your daughter is happy and well-cared for.

Curious--what agency?

[Anonymous]

It's a hard call. I run a home based preschool and have four children, so this advice comes with some experience.

If you and your child are happy with the current care and the price is right - stay. Once you find another job or get really serious about looking, you may want to look around closer to your home. Close to home is always best because you can always get your child there. A good school with a good price is nearly priceless!