Going Back to Work and Have No Idea What to Look for in Daycare

H.,
I know how you feel about leaving your precious darling with strangers. Most of mothers have been through this scary moment. But not to worry. If you have a plan of what you are looking for, you will locate the right childcare for you and your family. I will list a few concerns that I had when I was a working mom. 1)Location of childcare in relation to my job and to the doctor's office 2)Hours of operation, to include if there is a deadline to have the child in for that day 3)Stringent versus flexible daily schedule 4)Parent Drop-In policy 5)How many children are there 6)How many adults are working there and for how long 7)Visit for at least 2 days at different times to see what is really going on the childcare.
As far as a childcare center versus A. in-home care is purely preferential. Some things to think about concerning A. institute is that it tends to be more structured with schedules. And rightfully so. More children leans less room for a flexible schedule. The up side is there is guaranteed childcare available throughout the year with the exception of major holidays. In-home childcare, I have found, is less stringent and more able to accomodate the child's imagination for learning. However, major holidays in addition to childcare provider's sickness and emergencies may put a kink in your own work schedule.
I hope that this helped you. If you need some more advice or in-home childcare, feel free to contact me at ###-###-#### or by email at ____@____.com Blessed!
Antionette

I put my son into daycare at 16 months too. First thing I thought of was if I wanted an At-home daycare or a center. How many children per adult ratio, and what kind of activites and toys are available to the kids.
I also wanted to know if any of his current daily routine could be incorporated in the daycare's schedule, where they would nap- cribs available or mats on floor.
who changes diapers, do parents supply diapers or does the daycare provide them.
An Important question to ask is: Do you still have to pay if the child is not there? Centers make parents pay for days the kids are not there- sick or otherwise, at-homes generally don't.
Also what would the age range be for the other children in the group. Centers group by age, but at homes don't.

I hope some of these questions help!
Let me know!

Hey H.! I am D. and I think that you are the same H. that Tricia has sent emails to about meeting up for a playgroup!? I was browsing through replying to some questions and saw yours about daycares! I, too, did not want to leave my son at a daycare but I have a great one in Apex that I recommend...I met the owners outside of looking for one so I feel even better about choosing this daycare. They are a family owned business for 25 years and the daycare has great ratios of teachers to children...The teachers are all very nice! It is called Childrens Discovery Center. Justin is the Co-Director (he is 1 of the owners sons) and the number is ###-###-####. There is a waiting list so I would call soon if you want to check it out. Justin will take you on a tour; there are play areas for all different age groups; very well run! If you google "questions to ask daycare" it will give you some important info. on choosing a daycare adn what to ask when you visit as well! Look forward to joining you and Tricia at a playgroup soon! I work in retail so the weekdays are tougher for me, but sometimes I have a weekday off! Right now I have weekends off since I have not found a sitter for my son for saturdays! Have a wonderful Easter holiday coming up!

Hi H.,
I am a SAHM/ in-home childcare provider. As of right now, I just have my 2 yr old little girl, and one other little girl that is 2. I have been thinking about adding another child, but need to make sure it is the right fit for both sides. I live in N Raleigh, near Wakefield. If you are interested, I would love to talk. ____@____.com

K. D