Choosing a daycare

We would like to put Elliot and Clarissa into daycare 3 days a week starting in the fall - I work part-time, and right now they stay home with a babysitter, but I think they'd do well with a little more structure and time with other kids.

We have two options, and I have now visited both of them.

One daycare (associated with my employer) is about to move into a brand new building. The construction site is still closed, so I haven't actually seen it, but I saw all their plans and it will be VERY nice, with fabulous outdoor play areas. However, I didn't get a great feeling from the director, and I know they've had a lot of staff turnover lately (since the new director started last year). I know several people with their children at this facility (well, in the old building of course) and they seem generally happy with it, so there's nothing bad about it.

The other daycare is in a church (not affiliated with the church though - they just rent the space). The facilities are old, the rooms kind of small, but the director seemed great, and the teachers I met had all been there for years. I did like it better, but not by a huge amount.

Other differences:

The first center is right across the street from my office (we could potentially even walk there in the mornings in the stroller). They provide snacks, but I'd have to pack lunch.

The second center is a little farther away - still a very short drive, but probably wouldn't walk, since I'd then have to walk to my office from there, and then do it all in reverse at the end of the day. They serve breakfast, snacks, and lunch (super convenient to not have to try to get everyone fed and lunches packed before getting out of the house in the morning).

The cost difference is not significant enough for me to care.

So, do I go with the one with OK facilities, where I liked the people better (by a little), or the one with great facilities where I liked the people a little less? I feel like this is such a huge decision! In reality, I think they'll do just fine at either place.

Anyone have suggestions on how to make the decision?

Thanks,

-Rachel

 

My gut tells me to go with the second center where you like the people better. I think the convenience of having them fed will be great, you will feel better knowing the people who work there are fantastic, and you will quickly forget that they aren't using brand new equipment. IMHO the most important thing is for them to be in a loving and nurturing envrionment. Good luck with your decision.

 

The care and the people would be a much larger influence on my decision than the facilities. As long as the center is kept clean and in good repair, I don't think an older center as a negative point.

 

IMO, the people are more important. Especially, having teachers who have been there a long time is awesome. That's one of the things we like most about our daycare, and friends of ours keep telling us how unusual it is. The fancier place sounds fine, but since you have a choice, go with the one that you have the best gut feeling about.

 

Ditto the pps. Our daycare facility is small and the building is old and a bit run down. BUT. The teachers are WONDERFUL. There is a low turnover and everyone there is so kind and good with the kids. I feel totally comfortable leaving my boys there a few days a week, which I never thought would happen.

By contrast, the center provided by my employer is huge, brand new, state of the art - just a gorgeous facility. It is also the most expensive in this area. I was OK with the teachers when I met with them, but wasn't blown away. One teacher actually seemed a little cranky.

Definitely go with the people you like better. I also think it's a big advantage to not have to pack lunch. It may not seem like a big deal now, but once you get into the pick up/drop off rountine, it can become very hectic. One less thing to do the night before is a really good thing.

Michelle

 

I agree with PPs. I worked in a daycare/preschool where there wasn't a good director and a major turnover rate with the staff. It wasn't a pleasant place to work and it was hard on the children to see their teachers leave right and left. I personally wouls go with the good director and stable staff, it makes for a better atmosphere for the children to learn.

 

Go with the people. We went with an older center, doesn't provide meals, but my oldest complains on days she doesn't get to go. Good people, and you can tell they genuinely start to love the kids they care for.

 

QUOTE(Fay @ Jul 30 2007, 11:45 AM) [snapback]349636[/snapback]
The care and the people would be a much larger influence on my decision than the facilities. As long as the center is kept clean and in good repair, I don't think an older center as a negative point.


I agree! As long as the center is clean and they are diligent about germ control. Size of the classes matter alot to me as well. We are starting my girls in daycare Wednesday when I go back FT to work. The center is newish but the people seem really great.

We had narrowed it down between this center and another (which happened to be in a church). This center does breakfast, lunch, snack, and snack. The church center does snacks ONLY and the parents have to pay extra each quarter toward the snacks. The church was only $15 less per week - and I'd have to worry about breakfast and packing lunches!

I wish you luck with your decision. I'm sure things will go great and the kids will have a ball with their new friends!

 

I agree with PPs -- the people are far more important than the facilities, as long as everything is kept clean and in good repair. And the lunch thing will really be a major advantage! I love that our DCP provides all the food; it's just one less thing I have to think about when we're getting everyone out the door. We actually go to an in-home daycare; she has an English basement walk-out apartment in her house that she uses for the daycare, and it was pretty recently renovated, so that's all in good order, but she gets almost all of her toys and play equipment at yard sales, etc., but they are all very good quality and she cleans them thoroughly, so I have never thought twice about that stuff. She is wonderful with the girls and that to me is more important than all of the brand-new play equipment in the world.

 

You have to ask yourself why the staff is turning over. I worked daycare for a while at a place that also had high turnover. I felt the management did not value the staff, paid very low, had high ratios, and no support or supplies. (parents had to pay a $50 supply fee, but by the end of the year we had no construction paper. what were they buying with that $50?) I also don't think the hiring was as stringent as it could have been; maybe making sure teachres all had some kind of education. If that had been my life's work I would have found someplace else too.

HTH

 

The second center that you describe sound exactly like my girls' daycare! I love it in almost everyway! The main staff have all been there for ages, and all of them know my girls (even though they aren't in their class). I wish their rooms & bathrooms were a little more updated, but all the teachers have gone out of their way with "decorations" to make them nicer. I'm sure my girls don't realize that it's dark 1970's 'paneling' on the walls. They also spend tons of money on crafts & stuff the girls make, and I never pay extra for them. I'm glad they take their profits and invest them back into activites for the kids, instead of fancying up the light fixtures!

 

I thnk you should go with the one where the teachers are better.. It makes all the difference. You want people who have been there for a while with experience..

 

I am one of the very few people who split her twins up for nursery school. My boys being so different I just felt that neither of our favourite nurseries would make both of them justice.
Ollie is intellectual (even at age 2!) and he needed a more structured class. He needs someone who tells him what to do because otherwise he doesn't really come out of himself much.
Alex needed a more open concept, where he could play and be himself. He needed less guidance, because at home he is very much under hsi brothers wing.
So Ollie goes to a "normal" british nursery school, Al goes to a Montessori nursery. Both are happy.
However both aren't great places to look at, a bit shabby and stuff, but they have excellent teachers and that is what matters. I pack them lunch and to be honest it is a matter of planning well the evening and then 15 minutes max. in the morning.
But the teaching staff is the most important thing!
Millie