I have used the back-up care at BH East End many times and in my experience there has been *some* mixing of the backup and regular kids early in the day or late in the day - I think the backup room is open 8:30-5:00, so if someone asks for an earlier arrival or later pickup, the kid may be put in a regular classroom before/after backup is open. This is probably fairly infrequent, and in my experience the ratios were always maintained. Oh, and my child occasionally did special activities with the regular attendees (like if they had a water play day planned).
The same sick rules apply to the backup attendees, so I wouldn't worry about them being any more likely to spread germs.

We are at bright horizons NOAA. Basically they have backup slots when they know in advance people will be out. They don't have extra spaces for backup/drop-in because they are full. For example, they ask around holidays/summer if you know your child will be out - they can then use your kids slot for backup on those specific days. It does not change the ratio.

Anonymous wrote:They keep the backup program, backup teachers, etc separate. Cassandra does a great job of running this unique set up with no disruption to the parents. (And no, no sick kids)

This is mostly true. I had a toddler there for a month straight once and they had space in a real toddler classroom so DC was in there instead of backup. It was great for consistency, and we liked the center.

Other BH centers that take backup kids will put them in with the regular kids. My kids have also done backup at L Street and Covington Kids. Better that there is a separate backup program if you are worried about kids coming and going.

Thanks everyone - going to ask Cassandra a bit more about this today. Thanks 13:34 as well for the precise info re east end! Any other thoughts on east end?

I think you should call and ask the director. Always good to feel that you can go to him/her with questions and concerns.

They keep the backup program, backup teachers, etc separate. Cassandra does a great job of running this unique set up with no disruption to the parents. (And no, no sick kids)

Maybe it's sick day care.

we are at a family daycare that offers part time and drop in care, so while it's not quite the same as drop in (although I think she has a few spots for that, too) the number of children and who is actually there each day changes from one day to the next. It has never been a problem or caused any disruption and our son has made lots of friends. But I agree that if its MOSTLY drop in it would be a little different.

What percentage of the class is back up?

I wouldn't want my kid to attend a center full time that was all or mostly back up. They wouldn't make lasting friendships, and there wouldn't be continuity in the curriculum. I also think that there would be more acting out from kids stressed out by the transition.

But if it was, say, a class of 8 with 1 or 2 back up spots? I'd be OK with that.

Do they take sick kids?

We have a spot at Bright Horizon's East End and I'm curious what people think of the place, as well as whether it being a back-up care center impacts the day to day activities? My sister pointed out that back-up care will mean that the ration of teachers to children may change on any given day, the class will be disrupted, new faces entering/leaving etc.

What are folks experiences with this BH and/or back up care?

My son is 13 months old.

Thanks!