I would like to get advice from mothers with small children who our attending school or work only part-time?

Question

I have two children who will need to be watched for me to attend school. They have never had any babysitters besides family. This is not a option though for this. So I need to find out what are the best places for child care. Like daycare facilities, in-home or babysitter at your house and how is the best way to find good care takers. I am worried about making sure it is someone responsible and caring. Also I have looked into facilities that unless your children go full time. It is very expensive per hour and I am only needing a couple half days per week. Thank you for any advice.

Answer 1

I feel for you. This is a very difficult, stressful process you are going through.

It seems the general census is that you should find a home daycare of have someone come to your home. I'll give you my opinion on why I find a public daycare to be a better choice.

1. Public daycares have much lower child teacher ratios than home daycares. Home daycares can have as much as seven kids to every one adult whereas public daycares usually are a 4:1 ratio.

2. Public daycares tend to offer employee benefits and higher pay so that the childcare providers tend to be happier and this creates low employee turnaround.

3. In a public daycare there are eyes watching the childcare provider 24/7, so chances of your child being mistreated are greatly diminished.

4. Public daycares are required by law to provide nutritional, balanced food from the 4 food groups, home daycares are not.

5. Having a person come to your home to watch your child is very scary. Who is watching this person that you know nothing about? How do you know they are being kind to your child? You will have the constant worry while you are at school.

Finally, my girls go to a home daycare, however, it is not your typical home daycare. There are 6-7 adults present at all times and my child is NEVER left under the supervision of one single person ALONE. My child does have a primary caregiver, but this primary have 6 other eyes watching her throughout the day.

Try to find a home daycare that is run more like a public daycare and you will get the best of both worlds..........1)A check and balance system of a publicly run daycare and 2)Lower cost associated with a home daycare.

Answer 2

My children have been in day care since my oldest was 6 weeks old....I also have 2...my first suggestion is to ask around...see if you here any good references from people...I think home day care is better...there aren't too many children in there...so they can still get attention...opposed to an actual facility that may have alot of kids..and might not remember your kids names...(not saying that would happen)if you do find a home day care provider...ask for a few references...ask them to see there home..before you make any decisions...ask to see there license...call the place where they got there license and make sure it isn't some crazy person...take your kids there and stay there and see how they cope with these different surroundings...or maybe see if the school you will be attending has a daycare there...the community college where I live has daycare b/c it is one of the classes for child development or something

Answer 3

My son is in preschool Mon & Tues when I'm at work. Basically what I did was called and found a list of places that would do part time (aka daily or hourly rates) and went to visit. I went in the middle of the day, asked a lot of questions, & narrowed it down to two.

What it came down to was one had a rate for 10 hour days and after that was so much an hour where as the other one offered 12 hour days. I went with the 12 hour days since I have to work 11 hours a day & my husband's days can get pretty long as well (what can I say, I only work 3 days a week).

Answer 4

I used a private babysitter when my children were young until they were preschool aged. The woman who watched my children was associated with the childcare system, fully active Christian that had a highly reputable system that she followed for over 20 years. My doctors son actually came to this woman for 2 years.
You should talk to friends and relatives about people they know through work or church to find the best person.
I feel centers are okay but when your child can have reasonable private care its worth it.

Answer 5

be very careful about who you let into your home. I had to have a baby sitter come watch my 5 month old son a few years ago while I did the morning work on the farm for about 4 or 5 hours a day, even though I was only maybe 400 feet away from the house she still treated my son badly. I walked in on her shaking him! It really doesn't matter if its in your home or out of your home.. its the person you let do it. Please be very careful. We've had terrible luck with sitters, they've either been terrible with kids or have stolen from us. It was really a surprise because they had really good refrences when we called. When you look into people.. ask people you know who watches their kids and don't just take anybodies word for it.

Answer 6

I agree with Jro, having a person come to your home is a great option. Since your children have never had a sitter, it may lower their discomfort level to be in familiar surroundings. They are also more likely to stay on their schedules. I made a detailed list of their daily routine for my sitter. This served two purposes, she knew exactly what was expected of her from brushing their teeth to how many times their diapers should be checked. It is also helps her to make her own routine. I told her use it until she was comfortable. I found my sitter by calling the president of a local moms group. She actually found me a mom in the club. Good luck

Answer 7

i go to school and i work to put only full time but the only thing is my aunt or baby father are the only to has keep her on daily bases but i am trying to put her in day care now what i did i looked for some day cares around the way and i called some and then i went inside to see if it would be a good environment for my child and i asked questions about what they and etc. i liked the school and what they had to offer and that is the school she will be attending.

Answer 8

You best bet is to use a in house sitter! Most daycares do charge high fees! Make sure you know the person and more important that your children a use to them before you leave them! Do a word of mouth check on your sitter, and use your gut on knowing if they are the right person for you!! Good luck!

Answer 9

I have a 13 month old son and attend school fulltime. My family watches him for me. But if I were you I would do some searching and find a nanny to come to your house, where your children will feel most comfortable. Make sure you get plenty of references from prospect nannys and call all the references so you feel completely comfortable with them. I would suggest asking anyone you know who has kids if they know anyone...

Answer 10

Ask some of your friends, co-workers, or people you know from church. There are SO MANY people out there who would love to make a little pocket change babysitting sweet kids, but not have to do it full time.
You just have to find them. :o)

Also, you could look into your local YMCA, or church. Many of them have what is called a "Mothers Day Out" program. Here are our YMCA I pay $14 per day for my son to go. And it paid for on a day by day basis as I need it.

Good luck.