its about that time for me to go back to work. it just saddens me to think of having to leave my little man with a bunch of strangers. there are alot of daycare centers around here and i'm not sure of how to choose one. they all seem the same to me. what things about the center you chose made you feel like you chose the right place for your little one?
2007-02-01 15:35:02 · 7 answers · asked by Peach 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My answer likely won't be that popular, but that's ok. I don't mind. Here's what I did: I took a full time position when my son was 11 months old. I visited several daycares in the area, picked one, and then I spent a week taking my son there to visit and play with the toys for a few hours each day. And I would leave him without me for a little longer each time. The following Monday I started my job and I left my son at daycare, screaming. My mom went to pick him up at 5 that day, and discovered him still crying. Snot crusted all over his face. He'd apparently cried nearly the entire time. Only stopping when he cried himself to sleep.
I reevaluated my priorities and realized that after paying for childcare, gas, meals and workclothes, I would be bringing home only an extra $500.00 a month. I quit the job and brought my child back home with me where he belongs. We aren't rich, I'm a single parent. I teach piano lessons 3-4 evenings a week. I use coupons constantly and we do without A LOT of stuff. But every bit of it is worth it to be able to raise my child rather than, as you said, letting a bunch of strangers do it. Those first years in a child's life are the most important. When they need mom most. When they learn the most. What affects them for the rest of their life. Hardly seems worth it to damage that for 1/3 of a paycheck. Here's my suggestion (again, I understand lots of people with get mad and disagree, I don't car. I'm speaking from what child needs, not what grownups decide they need) don't return to a full time job unless absolutely necessary. Is there something else you could do? I actually even considered taking a job AT a daycare center full time. So my son could be with me and I could still work. Anything to keep him from having to be away from me all day every day so young in his life. My son is now 2 and a half and I never made a better decision. It CAN be made to work, and it should. You'll never regret the trouble you go to.
That's my take on things. It was heartwrenching to leave my screaming son in the arms of a stranger, knowing all he wanted...was me. It made me feel like I failed him, and if you fail a child often enough, they cease to trust you.
2007-02-01 15:47:28 · answer #1 · answered by littleangelfire81 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I personally wouldn't leave my child at a daycare I worked at one and after what I saw there is no way I'd leave my child at one. Maybe you could fined a sitter who keeps kids in their home. This way your child has more one on one attention. So if they're crying there is a better chance they will get picked up than in a daycare with ten other babies to one person. But if you have to use a daycare find out how may children to each adult and things like that and observe the teacher in the room your child is in. And go by unannounced every so often to make sure that your child is being cared for the way that you want.
2007-02-02 00:06:49 · answer #2 · answered by dixiefrogs 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been down this road two times myself, so i know how you feel. You will want to do yuor homework for sure, and know that it gets easier as you get into the rotine. Anyway, what to look for; you should look for an age appropriate teacher/ child ratio (for infants that is 1:4) Also a nice clean environment, with a separate, quiet sleep area that can be easily seen from the classroom. You want to know what the disclpline policy is, how the teachers intereact with the children. Also you should find out about diapering and feeding, do they provide food and diapers, or do you provide, how often do the change and feed babies/ children. How are you notified about your child's day, wahht about in an emergency?
These are my most important questions, but above all it is about spending time there and following your gut. Talk to the other parents, find out how they like it, why they choose the center.
Good luck!
2007-02-01 23:51:43 · answer #3 · answered by SZ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The very first one I had my daughter in I chose for a couple of reasons. One was it was on the base where her father worked and two it was smack in the middle of where I worked and home so it was easily accessible going to and from. I also knew one of the care givers.
The second one I had her in was onsite at my employers, which was great because I was able to take my lunch hour and join her for lunch or bring her up to where I was working at lunch time to eat in our cafeteria which is what a lot of the parents who had kids in that daycare did.
2007-02-02 01:02:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spend some time watching how they respond to the infants that are already there. Are they attentive? Do they spend time with the child to encourage new skills such as sitting, tummy time, etc. Does each child have its own bed and things? Also, does the place smell clean?
2007-02-01 23:39:57 · answer #5 · answered by stocks4allseasons 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I would go and spend some time at the daycare and just see what they do, how they are with kids....plus you will have your own instincts about the place....
2007-02-01 23:46:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anjila N 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could ask your friends that work and have kids about where they have their kids go.
2007-02-01 23:37:51 · answer #7 · answered by mdoud01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋