11:15 here, PS I also do NOT conduct initial interivews during my open hours, only after hours. This is done to protect the children as well. I get mixed reviews on this. Potential clients seem to be appreciative I dont let just anyone come into my house while the kids are here, and others think I have something to hide. Red flag. Red flag. If you consider the safety of the children and the provider a red flag, then I am sorry but there is something wrong.

Anonymous wrote:Things I like:
1. She is very close to home, DH and I walk to do drop off and pick up (we leave a stroller on her porch).
2. There is a consistent set of three caregivers who appear to be very fond of my daughter.
3. Open door policy.

Things I dislike:
1. She's not very willing to rock the boat as far as DD is concerned. Getting my daycare provider to stop giving DD bottles and switch to a sippy was really a painful experience.
2. She's a little passive aggressive -- she writes these notes about complaints she has ("DD wants to be carried too much, please stop carrying her around at home" sort of stuff). She's been taking care of DD since she was 6 weeks old (18 month old now), I wish she would just tell me stuff in person so we could talk about it.

Due to time and having other kids around, I write notes in my notebooks all the time for the moms to take home with them and read. if they have a question about something they will ask. It is very hard trying to talk to parents while their kids are hanging on them whining and crying because they want mommys attention now that she is there. The moms i deal with cant handle 2 conversations and I cant stand having to talk above a whining child. Sorry, makes it difficult, confusing and more likely mom is going to miss what I have to say anyway.

What do you all define as open door policy? The only time of day I ask my parents not to drop in is the time after lunch when we are using the bathroom, washing hands, reading books and preparing for naptime. Otherwise come as you wish. However if you think you are just walking in without knocking WRONG. And I am sorry but in this day and age, if you expect your provider to keep the door unlocked so you can come and go as you wish, then you are putting ALL the children including your own at risk. I not only lock the front door but also the glass storm door. I am home alone with my kids and I would really be leary of leaving my doors unlocked so any tom dick or harry could walk in. Even schools and I am sure centers keep their doors locked but if not they have more than one person there with the kids so more protection in numbers.

I am relocating to the area and LOVED reading this thread! We are in an in-home daycare and reading this just brought a tear to my eye. I'd been thinking that I should put my kids into a center-based day care or Montessori when we move up there, but after reading this, I am reminded of all the fantastic things about in-home daycares that just fit us really well! I love the fact that they have raised my sons better than I could ever have given how insanely stressful my job is...My in-home provider taught them how to eat solids, not only in actually getting them to eat solids but in staggering different foods to test for allergies, feeds them organic home made food (she makes her own flour), cloth diapered them, helped me potty train both boys early, came to all their birthday parties, and came to see me in the hospital when I had my second child. This kind of care, with the right provider, just isn't comparable.

If anyone has any recs for in-home daycares in Rockville, Bethesda, or Silver Spring, please let me know and I can give you my personal email.

15:30, sounds like we have the same daycare (or used to).

I love how genuine the teachers are in their affection for the children. you get the sense that they LOVE the kids, its not just a job.

they are gentle and yet consistent, and have not only taught DS but also taught ME how to appropriately handle different developmental stages.

the daycare is bilingual, the kids are diverse and SO cute, all of them.

they come up with really fun and creative activities for the kids

lots of outdoor time, and space. both in the big backyard full of toys, and the nearby parks, libraries, etc.

No TV at all

they do lots of art projects, even at a very young age. DS was 'painting' at 10 months.

DCP holds lots of fun get togethers for kids and parents, activities that involve the parents intheir children's daily activities, but that also provide nice socialization for the parents.


what I don't like?

I wished it opened a little earlier, I would prefer to get ito work at 8 and leave at 4:30. (they open at 8).

that's about it.

I love the love she receives and how happy she seems to be. I love that she is always happy when I come for pick up or how happily she goes to them at drop off. I love that my non verbal toddler can now hum a tune to countless songs. I love that she gets outdoor tiMe and walks and circle time. I just love it.

What I don't love is that I don't always have a clear picture of what she is eating but I'm also not ready to pack her lunch.

Anonymous wrote:1. They adore my DSs and always brag to me about all the things they've done that day (even the 12 week old!)
2. They provide meals
3. They built a room under the deck specifically for painting so the kids can be as messy as they want
4. They speak Spanish so my son understands Spanish and speaks some, as well.
5. The director is always willing to do a little extra for families: make a meal if a parent is sick, keep a child overnight in an emergency, etc.
6. There us a lot of structure. Even the littlest babies get propped up on bookies for Circle Time (cutest thing EVER)

That was supposed to be *boppies. There are no bookies allowed at daycare.

wow 19:51, I would feel SUPER uncomfortable with someone telling me that I carry or hold my child too much. That is rough!

1. They adore my DSs and always brag to me about all the things they've done that day (even the 12 week old!)
2. They provide meals
3. They built a room under the deck specifically for painting so the kids can be as messy as they want
4. They speak Spanish so my son understands Spanish and speaks some, as well.
5. The director is always willing to do a little extra for families: make a meal if a parent is sick, keep a child overnight in an emergency, etc.
6. There us a lot of structure. Even the littlest babies get propped up on bookies for Circle Time (cutest thing EVER)

1. She follows federal government for closings, and not the public schools, which close for fog.

2. She is from Afghanistan and has helped my kids learn to love a wide variety of food, including spicy dishes.

3. She seems to love my boys like her own.

4. She has two daughters in their 20s who also help out a lot and love to play with the kids.

5. She taught my kids Farsi songs and games.

Things I don't like -

1. When she's sick - which has been really rare - I'm screwed.

2. Having to say goodbye some day.

Things I like:
1. She is very close to home, DH and I walk to do drop off and pick up (we leave a stroller on her porch).
2. There is a consistent set of three caregivers who appear to be very fond of my daughter.
3. Open door policy.

Things I dislike:
1. She's not very willing to rock the boat as far as DD is concerned. Getting my daycare provider to stop giving DD bottles and switch to a sippy was really a painful experience.
2. She's a little passive aggressive -- she writes these notes about complaints she has ("DD wants to be carried too much, please stop carrying her around at home" sort of stuff). She's been taking care of DD since she was 6 weeks old (18 month old now), I wish she would just tell me stuff in person so we could talk about it.

1) the loving, homey atmosphere
2) the time spent outside, even for my little guy
3) the open door policy
4) how she rotates the toys and activities from room to room so the kids dont' get bored

1. Like PP, daycare provides homemade breakfast, lunch and snack. Downside, I wish she served organic dairy and fruits/veggies, but I don't want to insult her by sending DC's food separately from the other kids.

2. She has an open door policy, and is never surprised or put out if I show up at an 'off' time. The original DCP we chose did not want parents showing up in the middle of the day. She said it was to keep the doors locked for safety and to not upset the children, but i know now that was a HUGE red flag.

3. She is willing to share suggestions when I ask for them (she's been caring for kids almost as long as I've been alive), but is willing to do what I want as my child's parent.

4. She is very sweet about indulging my FTM worries and whims. Occasionally I'll just call in the middle of the day to check up on DC. Or, I stress over things like sunscreen or what have you.

This was 2 years ago (sigh - how time flies).

1. There were three caregivers - so the place was open year round except for Federal holidays and a few other days. THese were told to us in advance. Some of the places I looked at closed for several weeks - and often without much notice.

2. The three care givers were the same three- except for the occassional sub - but there was a short-list of subs. So my son had consistent set of caregivers.

3. It was a very, very loving environment. I felt like my son had three nannies versus being in a daycare.

4. Lots of outdoor time. OK - this was a like and dislike as sometimes they were out when it was extremely hot.

5. We provided food. I liked this when he was a baby - and I wanted to monitor what he ate. I detested in around age 2

6. There was no TV. Not a TV set in the place (the daycare was the basement of the woman's house). This was very important to me, as I worried about the places that allowed TV for "only an hour...most days". If they admitted to an hour, how much were they really using?

1. In daycare provider's neighborhood all the kids are outside playing together in the evening. DD spends a lot of time outside because that's the norm.

2. Daycare provides breakfast, lunch and snacks for DD. I seriously don't know how people find the time/creativity to pack a lunch for their kids everyday.

I am beginning my daycare search and wondering what others LOVE about their situation. Or, perhaps, what do you wish was different?