Plenty of people raise three young kids. If she seems like a good fit and references check out, I would give it a try. Your gut feeling is important when it comes to child care!

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as a perfect daycare. It will be a matter of finding the best match you can find for your family.

I'm a home daycare provider. The risk with new providers is many stop within the first two years because they get overwhelmed. From what you answered above, your provider sounds like a good fit. If she brings in another little one close in age to your daughter in the next few months that would great.

No, I get it, it just sounds scary to think I may have to “give up” something to gain something else and vice versa.

There is no such thing as a perfect daycare. It will be a matter of finding the best match you can find for your family.

I'm a home daycare provider. The risk with new providers is many stop within the first two years because they get overwhelmed. From what you answered above, your provider sounds like a good fit. If she brings in another little one close in age to your daughter in the next few months that would great.

OP again. This is so frustrating. Have been looking HARD for several weeks and there just never seems to be a “perfect” daycare/preschool (I realize this is totally a first world problem).

Anonymous wrote:If you only need part time care for a toddler id probably just look into a church or similar half day preschool. Then she can grow with the program. With an in home you’ll have to probably put her in preschool soon anyway—inhomes are great but many kids age out by 3 or 4

I need part time, but all day. I looked at a few church preschools near me but they require masks for her age (seems to be common with religion affiliated preschools?). She is not quite there yet though getting better!

Anonymous wrote:How long has she been open?

How old are the two infants?

Is she looking to enroll more children soon?

Does she have a contract and parent information package?

Emergency plan?

Back ground check and first aid?

She has been open for a few months (but has many years of childcare experience), was supposed to open right when COVID hit. Both the babies including hers is around 8 months. Yes, I got a whole information package and contract. If she can’t provide care then she’d let us know ASAP (and honestly this is less of an issue as I have back ups and don’t worry a traditional m-f 9-5 schedule).

If you only need part time care for a toddler id probably just look into a church or similar half day preschool. Then she can grow with the program. With an in home you’ll have to probably put her in preschool soon anyway—inhomes are great but many kids age out by 3 or 4

What are the logistics of getting two babies down to nap while providing care for your child? How is the set up? Will your child need to be hushed for multiple infant naps? How about outdoor time?

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t be too concerned about her watching three kids total. That’s well within the approved ratios. I’d be more concerned about your 2 year old hanging out with babies all day. Will she get bored if there’s no one her age to play with? From 2-3 kids start to want to play with others.

This would be my concern too. I’d worry about the toddler being bored bc there’s no age appropriate activities.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t be too concerned about her watching three kids total. That’s well within the approved ratios. I’d be more concerned about your 2 year old hanging out with babies all day. Will she get bored if there’s no one her age to play with? From 2-3 kids start to want to play with others.

I’m actually not as concerned- I’d enroll her part time and we can have play dates when I’m not working. She’s actually a very independent player still anyway, never asks me to play with her lol. I guess I’m seeing the benefit of an inhome here, when the babies are napping, she can get one-on-one time.

Anonymous wrote:Have you spoken with any of her references? Maybe the parent of the other child there?

I haven’t yet. She has given me a long list of references and plan on calling tomorrow.

How long has she been open?

How old are the two infants?

Is she looking to enroll more children soon?

Does she have a contract and parent information package?

Emergency plan?

Back ground check and first aid?

I wouldn’t be too concerned about her watching three kids total. That’s well within the approved ratios. I’d be more concerned about your 2 year old hanging out with babies all day. Will she get bored if there’s no one her age to play with? From 2-3 kids start to want to play with others.

Have you spoken with any of her references? Maybe the parent of the other child there?

My DD is 2 and i found an in home daycare that I really liked (after being against them all this time); tbh, I LOVED this provider! We connected right away and I think that has value. She has tons of experience, very energetic, very confident. I was in her home chatting for over an hour and we had a great connection and I felt really good about her abilities. The reservation I have is that since this is a new business (though she has years of experience), she is the only provider, no assistants. She currently watches two other babies, one of them being her own. I worry that two babies plus a toddler is too much for her, for anyone. A big plus for me is that she is only a mile away and has an open door policy.

My DD just needs TLC and a homey atmosphere, I am not worried about “academics” for this age. Just wondering if I’m being over paranoid with her being alone. Her husband WFH so I know she is not totally alone.