Daycare search

Hi All,

I am relocating to Bloomfield, NJ area in July. I am searching for the daycare for the twins and would like your help if anyone who is familiar with that area can suggest a name. I was a stay-at-home till now but soon I will be working full-time. I am happy about my job but I am TERRIFIED of the thought to put them in somebody else’s care. I would appreciate if anyone can please advice on a facility.

Thanks a lot.

 

Anybody please.

 

I don't know that you're going to get very much information on such a specific location, I'm sorry. Perhaps you have some questions about the types of facilities or what to look for when touring them?

I'll tell you my experience- In eastern NC we toured several facilities while I was pregnant. It was going to run us upwards of $1600/mo for both girls to be in full-time childcare. I ended up doing a combination of an in-home nanny and guilting asking my mother-in-law to take the other two days per week. It saves us $900/mo.

This fall the girls will be 2.5. We're going to do a combination of Montessori school and an in-home nanny. So far it looks like it will all run us $1200/mo.

I don't know what qualities to recommend in a center, but if you have questions on nannies, I'd be happy to help.

Good luck!

 

Thank you so much for your reply. I called few facilities and their fee is very high. Full time daycare for both will cost us $2250/mo. I am also worried because these girls are enrolled in EI program for their speech and feeding/ texture issues. I don't have any family/friends either to make things easy.

But I may look into the possibility of in-home nanny and will bother you again with questions if we decide for a nanny.

I am searching online to find some points that I should note before selecting a daycare.

Thank you so much.

 

I was looking for the Montessori school in the New Jersey area. I did not grew up in USA so I am not very familiar with the education system. Can you share the info on these schools. Other than the cost what were the deciding factors for you.

 

I can't help with the location either. But I would be happy to share our searching-for-a-daycare experience and things to look for in a daycare center.

 

www.mamapedia.com has a huge network of moms - perhaps try asking there - I've seen quite a few people asking the same thing and getting replies...

 

Thank you for the replies.

Twinkler, thank you for the website. I will search for some info there.

Happy June, I have appointment to visit two centers tomorrow. I would appreciate if you can share your experience and the pointers i should look for.

Thank you all. I really appreciate your help.

 

First of all look at and ask about the basics, such as
- routines
- naptimes (enough sleep and downtime is really important, especially in a daycare environment which is more stressful for the children than being at home with you)
- meals (who provides them, quality if they do etc.)
- staffing levels, education and experience of staff (degrees in early childhood education, nurses, CPR certifications etc.)
- ages together in one room
- hygiene
- safety (who can enter the building, who can pick up kids etc.)
- sick policies
- closing policies (how much back-up care ro days off will you need?)
- flexibility regarding hours (I love being able to call in if I am stuck in a meeting or bad traffic and know that my children will be safe and well-cared for)
- music, arts and crafts, gym rooms or designated areas in the classrooms
- outings (our daycare regularly takes the children out for walks to parks or playgrounds, and about once a month they go to a museum or some other outing - free of additional charge to the parents)

When going around the center try and spend some time in the classrooms and get a feel for the atmosphere:
- watch the interaction between the teachers and the children (are they loving, gentle, consistent with discipline? are they engaged with the children? is there laughter and fun? is there lots of crying, shouting? do the teachers observe the children closely?)
- observe how the rooms are set up (are there areas for free play? areas for snuggling or looking at books quietly? areas for creative activities? maybe an area for more active play (climbing, a slide etc.)? what sorts of toys are there - safe, good quality, age-appropriate? are toys easily accessible?)
- watch the children (do they seem alert, happy, not hyperactive? do they trust the teachers and go to them for help, comfort, activities?)

If you can, try and talk to some parents dropping off or picking up their kids.

One of my worst visits apart from one clearly dirty place was a very expensive, highly recommended daycare where the children did - nothing, they were just sitting or lying around, no games going on, no toys scattered about the room and the teachers seemed to think keeping them safe, fed and clean was enough. They were not engaged with the children, suggesting play or activities, reading to them etc. - nothing, in all classrooms in the middle of the morning. But everything was very beautiful and well-cared for, the policies on paper read very well and I know several satisfied parents who send their kids there, but it did not feel right for mine. I prefer picking up children whose clothes show signs of having been in the mud, having baked a cake, having painted etc. and who have lots to tell about their day.

I hope this helps a bit. GL for your search!

 

Happy June, thank you very much for the detailed information. It is really helpful.