Anonymous
11/08/2021 10:33
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Yeah, the centers that never close? They may not show it, but just know the teachers are exhausted and resentful. That's why there's a lot of turnover. These places often treat the teachers as if they are inexhaustible robots.
I’m sure this is true for many. Our center rarely closed and had low turnover, in part because they had a ton of staff to cover when people were out, float between rooms as needed, etc. We paid a ton, but if it kept the staff happy, that was worth it for us.
+1 Covid has thrown a wrench in everything and there has been a lot of turnover I think everywhere, but pre-Covid at DD's daycare that only closes on major holidays and 2 days in the summer in a staff of about 25 I think 2 teachers left in one year? The teachers definitely take time off.
Anonymous
11/08/2021 09:54
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:Yeah, the centers that never close? They may not show it, but just know the teachers are exhausted and resentful. That's why there's a lot of turnover. These places often treat the teachers as if they are inexhaustible robots.
I’m sure this is true for many. Our center rarely closed and had low turnover, in part because they had a ton of staff to cover when people were out, float between rooms as needed, etc. We paid a ton, but if it kept the staff happy, that was worth it for us.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 19:02
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Yeah, the centers that never close? They may not show it, but just know the teachers are exhausted and resentful. That's why there's a lot of turnover. These places often treat the teachers as if they are inexhaustible robots.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 15:05
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:Hey guys — she’s not considering an in home daycare. The PPs are comparing big box to in home. She’s considering a non-chain daycare versus a chain daycare.
She’s not but I think the point is that there is high-quality and low quality inn big box, independent and in-home daycare. There’s very good advice here about touring and keeping an open mind about whatever location she chooses. Ask questions lots of questions.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 15:03
Subject: Re:“Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I wanted a big daycare because I wanted a lot of oversight, resources, accreditation, no closures, etc. My pre-verbal kid couldn't tell me if something bad happened there so I wanted a lot of people and protection in place. It was a good fit for my particular anxieties.
+1
Ours is a local daycare with four locations, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a "big box" daycare over an in-home for all the reasons listed above. The main benefit of in-home seems to be cost, from what I can tell. Friends who use them have had frequent COVID closures, random weeks and days off, and much less oversight or professionalism than I want in a childcare provider.
Similar reasons for me. But OP, still tour all that interest you and ask MANY questions. Don't just go with whatever is closest. You have to do your due diligence whether it's small/local or chain. But a 2-year-old doesn't need the best, most qualified teachers, but an environment that prioritizes good hygiene, an effective mechanism for communicating with families, and a disciplinary approach that aligns with your parenting style.
+1 to the bolded (as the PP being quoted). Do NOT just pick the place closest to you. These are the people who will be caring for your child: you need to be picky.
I do think it's great if you can find a place that will grow with your child, i.e., one that offers more of a preschool environment if not an actual curriculum for older kids. We were so fortunate to be able to keep our kids at the same center until they left for K. We knew them, they knew us, and we didn't have to go through the hassle of finding yet another childcare provider, which can be a real pain. Look for places with relatively low turnover. Ask about closures and schedules. Ask to talk to other families that are currently there. The big box daycare close to you may be fantastic, but they may not be--you need to ask to find out.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 14:57
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Hey guys — she’s not considering an in home daycare. The PPs are comparing big box to in home. She’s considering a non-chain daycare versus a chain daycare.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 14:56
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What do you think the differences are between chains and local daycares?
The smaller local ones, had a much more homey atmosphere that I liked and teachers that seemed very invested. Not that the daycare ones weren’t, but some of them certainly looked like they just wanted to get through the day. Perhaps it’s just my nerves and perception.
I think it really depends on the individual center. Our almost 3 year old has been in a national chain since she was an infant and I've been so impressed by her teachers. Our center seems to hire really great personalities that do well working with kids. She has one teacher now who is constantly getting down on the ground doing yoga with them, organizing various spirit days, doing fun hairstyles for the girls after nap, and in general just seems so happy. On the flip side, my niece used to go to a local co-op and left after a teacher yanked her arm when she apparently wasn't listening. I don't think these anecdotes say anything at all about various types of daycares, just noting it really depends on the place and not to fall for stereotypes. And don't sleep on walking distance. We have that now and it's fantastic. Walking to school with my kid is one of my favorite parts of the day.
That said, there is basically no community among the parents at our center. I think that can more readily get lost in the big centers absent someone putting in a lot of effort to make it happen.
True about anecdotes, but arm-yanking at a co-op is probably exceptionally rare. The parents tend to be really well plugged in to what’s going on in the classrooms at a co-op.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 14:53
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Is there a specific non-chain daycare that you want to send your child to and that you have a spot at? It might be helpful for you to compare one specific place with another specific place. And then you get just as much of a vote as your husband! You can be adamant too, that your child attend the other daycare. But make sure you have a spot there and the commute works and it does feel as homey as you think and all that.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 14:20
Subject: Re:“Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I wanted a big daycare because I wanted a lot of oversight, resources, accreditation, no closures, etc. My pre-verbal kid couldn't tell me if something bad happened there so I wanted a lot of people and protection in place. It was a good fit for my particular anxieties.
+1
Ours is a local daycare with four locations, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a "big box" daycare over an in-home for all the reasons listed above. The main benefit of in-home seems to be cost, from what I can tell. Friends who use them have had frequent COVID closures, random weeks and days off, and much less oversight or professionalism than I want in a childcare provider.
Similar reasons for me. But OP, still tour all that interest you and ask MANY questions. Don't just go with whatever is closest. You have to do your due diligence whether it's small/local or chain. But a 2-year-old doesn't need the best, most qualified teachers, but an environment that prioritizes good hygiene, an effective mechanism for communicating with families, and a disciplinary approach that aligns with your parenting style.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 13:08
Subject: “Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What do you think the differences are between chains and local daycares?
The smaller local ones, had a much more homey atmosphere that I liked and teachers that seemed very invested. Not that the daycare ones weren’t, but some of them certainly looked like they just wanted to get through the day. Perhaps it’s just my nerves and perception.
I think it really depends on the individual center. Our almost 3 year old has been in a national chain since she was an infant and I've been so impressed by her teachers. Our center seems to hire really great personalities that do well working with kids. She has one teacher now who is constantly getting down on the ground doing yoga with them, organizing various spirit days, doing fun hairstyles for the girls after nap, and in general just seems so happy. On the flip side, my niece used to go to a local co-op and left after a teacher yanked her arm when she apparently wasn't listening. I don't think these anecdotes say anything at all about various types of daycares, just noting it really depends on the place and not to fall for stereotypes. And don't sleep on walking distance. We have that now and it's fantastic. Walking to school with my kid is one of my favorite parts of the day.
That said, there is basically no community among the parents at our center. I think that can more readily get lost in the big centers absent someone putting in a lot of effort to make it happen.
Anonymous
11/05/2021 12:16
Subject: Re:“Big box” daycares
Anonymous wrote:I wanted a big daycare because I wanted a lot of oversight, resources, accreditation, no closures, etc. My pre-verbal kid couldn't tell me if something bad happened there so I wanted a lot of people and protection in place. It was a good fit for my particular anxieties.
+1
Ours is a local daycare with four locations, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a "big box" daycare over an in-home for all the reasons listed above. The main benefit of in-home seems to be cost, from what I can tell. Friends who use them have had frequent COVID closures, random weeks and days off, and much less oversight or professionalism than I want in a childcare provider.