Choice between cheap no frills or more expensive and possibily more educational/better daycare?

[Anonymous]

Our nine month old has been in a great daycare for six months now. Wonderful teachers (all have at least an associates degree in early childhood ed, lead teachers have bachelors degree), clean and safe environment, thoughtfully planned age-appropriate activities for developing infants sensory, fine/gross motor skills, lots of books, storytime, and interesting toys.

It’s expensive, but when we were looking it was the place we felt the best about. We just received that in two months, the price will be increasing by around $300. We could still make this work, but we stretched a bit already to go with this one and the increase will stretch us further.

Our second choice when we were looking was center that seemed more old school and no-frills (run by a church). The teachers seemed sweet and caring (though likely less educated overall), and there was not as much as a clear “curriculum” and planned activities for developing particular skills. Books and interesting toys, but smaller selection. They would have room for our child when the school year starts.

With the price increase of our current place, this center would be about $900 less each month, so significant savings. We don’t want to cheap out on our kid, but we also want to be able to save for things like college, a down payment in a neighborhood with better schools, and other educational opportunities. What would you do?

[Anonymous]

If you really do feel that the workers at your current daycare are more educated I would stay. It is really hard to find a daycare with this. I would, however, caution that turn over is high in this area so they might be on the way out the door. What is the preschool room like at the old place? Typically this is when a fancy daycare tends to go off the rails.

[Anonymous]

Caring teachers who will provide continuous positive interaction with your child are more important than curriculum and toys. If the 2nd choice is also clean & safe, I would go with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you really do feel that the workers at your current daycare are more educated I would stay. It is really hard to find a daycare with this. I would, however, caution that turn over is high in this area so they might be on the way out the door. What is the preschool room like at the old place? Typically this is when a fancy daycare tends to go off the rails.

The preschool room is really nice and they spend a lot of time reading and doing art with the kids.

[Anonymous]

I would do the cheaper daycare. The savings are significant and the difference isn't that great. Both sound like nice, caring environments.

[Anonymous]

Have you talked with parents at the church daycare? I'd do that, and if they seem happy, I'd do that with no hesitation. I think a loving environment and socialization is more important than a curriculum. You can always look at pre-K programs in 2-3 years if you feel like you need a more education focused environment.

$900 a month is a lot. In 2 years, that's $21,600.

[Anonymous]

I think there's a big difference between preschool and daycare. For a 9 month old, all they really need is a nice lady who will cuddle them and show them love and some appropriate developmental toys (which could really be a pot with a spoon, and some blocks).

For real preschool, like ages 3-5, I do think there is some benefit to places that have people trained in child development. This is when a lot of kids start having behavioral issues, sensory issues, attention deficit issues, learning delays start appearing, etc. The places that have more professional development and support for their staff are better able to recognize and deal with these issues in your child, and to respond appropriate when other children in the class have those issues. I don't think that the fanciness of the facility necessarily correlates with appropriate training in that respect, though.

[Anonymous]

OP, what is the cost for both? I know the center that you are sending your baby to know would be $900 more expensive than the one you are looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you talked with parents at the church daycare? I'd do that, and if they seem happy, I'd do that with no hesitation. I think a loving environment and socialization is more important than a curriculum. You can always look at pre-K programs in 2-3 years if you feel like you need a more education focused environment.

$900 a month is a lot. In 2 years, that's $21,600.

+1 Yes, reevaluate down the road.

[Anonymous]

Do not leave a daycare where you feel confident your child is getting good, loving care and stimulation. A good daycare situation is worth its price in gold. In a year or so the costs of the current daycare will start going down as the ratios increase. Unless you are absolutely sure about the church basement place, I would not switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not leave a daycare where you feel confident your child is getting good, loving care and stimulation. A good daycare situation is worth its price in gold. In a year or so the costs of the current daycare will start going down as the ratios increase. Unless you are absolutely sure about the church basement place, I would not switch.

Having parents who are on good financial ground is worth more than a slightly better daycare. OP said they are already stretched and an extra $300 a month will stretch them more.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the pp that said that a 9 month old just need attention and a sweet caretaker and some toys and outside time and someone to talk to them during the day. Save the enrichment and skill building until they are 2 and up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not leave a daycare where you feel confident your child is getting good, loving care and stimulation. A good daycare situation is worth its price in gold. In a year or so the costs of the current daycare will start going down as the ratios increase. Unless you are absolutely sure about the church basement place, I would not switch.

absolutely this. Hang in there for another year or so. ESPECIALLy if current daycare has not experienced staff turnover, which is rampant at centers. Any way to get to know the providers in the rooms that your child would be moving into (once moved out of the infant room) at the current place? We had a bad experience with DS2 in the infant room (it was a one time deal, but big enough that we talked about leaving). The idea that in just a few months he would be moving into the next room (long time provider, we know and completely trust her as she was there for DD1) convinced us to stay put.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with cheaper (as long as it is loving) until they are 3.5-4, then I would do a preschool the year before K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the pp that said that a 9 month old just need attention and a sweet caretaker and some toys and outside time and someone to talk to them during the day. Save the enrichment and skill building until they are 2 and up.

This
We went to a local daycare ctr close to work and DD loved it, really thrived there. It was in am older building and the toys were older. Staff were top notch though and there was no turnover in any of the 3 classrooms she was in. We loved it. We paid $600 for 10 days a month. Friend of mine drove her kid farther to shiny happy Goddard and its preschool curriculum for 12 days a months and spent $1,000. Crazy difference.
play doh is play doh........
AS long as the teachers like kids and care about their development they will be fine.