I have a 5month old that will be going to daycare and am scared she will just be laid in the crib all day...?

Question

I need to know what they typically do with them to keep them occpuied instead of just laying them down and leaving them?? Please help

Ok for all that are gonna say check out the daycare...thats not the answer that im looking for.....Im looking for someone that actually works at a daycare and know what they do with kids under 6 months old...I have not even gotten a daycare yet, she will start next month!!

Answer 1

My daughter's daycare has a huge baby room (it is a learning center). One side of the room is swings, cribs, etc. the other side is toys toys toys........they have huge colored mats on the floor, one wall is all mirrors, and shelves of toys that the babies can reach themselves. there is SO much for them to do. and the "teachers" work with them wherever they are developmentally......sitting up, rolling over, whatever. It is a good place. around 11 months they start being transitioned into the Toddler one room, so they spend part of hte day out there. it builds up to half, then a few triail whole days. once they are adjusted, they pack up the crib (toddler 1's sleep on mats) and move thier stuff to the bins in that room.

Answer 2

make unannounced visits to the center. ANY daycare that is worth using will not mind and actually welcome this. make a visit during lunch hours and one an hour before or after normal napping times.

Take note of the noise level, mess of toys etc. You want there to be a healthy level of noise because that means children are having fun and learning. Too much noise and it is population control and that is all, no noise or very little is also not a good thing (unless you catch nap time) it means the place is either too strict or the children are not playing and learning. Same for toys, there should be toys laying around but not so much that it is a complete mess or vise versa looks like toys have not been touched all day-way too controlled.

Note the child adult ratio in the infant room, I would not have my child in a room that has more than a 4:1 ratio and has more than 8 children in the room. It is simply too many children. Ask to see where naps are taken: is it a quiet and secure area is the lighting nice and not too stimulating, is the temp of the room comfy?

Ask for a daily schedual. Every daycare has a schedual they loosly follow in regards to snacks, meals, diaper changes, naps, and certain play times. Obvioulsy they will change and feed on demand for young children BUT this schedual will assure that no child is ever 'forgotton' and will get checked for hunger and wet/dirty diapers at regular intervals. Also daycares with such young children generally also write down a daily report. They will give you a count of dirty and wet diaper, how many bottles, length of naps, amount of tummy time, if hte baby was cranky or fussy, if the child seemed 'off' that day etc. If the center do not provide this or feels it is too much of a hassel to do this for you then you do not want that place.

You best information though is going to come directly from the customers there. How do others seem to like the place? what are their concerns or comments?

Answer 3

You really can't answer this question without talking to the daycares! Talk to the director on the phone, and ask if you can come see it. Most of the time, they will tell you to stop by whenever, which gives you a good opportunity to see what they are *really* doing. A good daycare will not just leave them.

At the daycare I use, little babies (when not sleeping or being given a bottle in someone's arms) are generally in a swing, excersaucer, or "tummy time" with some toys on the floor. They also go out in nice weather in a 4 or 6 kid "bye-bye buggy" with the caretaker.

PS. It's not too late to call your daycare and ask questions, or to visit and switch daycares if you don't like what you see. You can also ask them for the names and phone numbers of some of the parents of kids who have been there for a while that you can talk to.

Answer 4

If it is a reputable day care they won't leave your child in a crib all day. They have rules and time windows; I am sure your baby is precious and they will spend a lot of time holding and walking around with your baby. THey will also have tummy time where they will let the baby play on a rug or matt as they help to develop their motor skills. Most daycares do a great job at these things but there are some bad ones as well. Do your homework, go in during the day and ask to sit in or watch what they do with the other children before you make your decesion. Good luck!
Best regards!

Answer 5

There are some great daycares out there, but depending on how many children this one has, your baby probably will not be getting any exclusive attention. She may be left alone in her crib for a good part of the day, or she may not. Speak to the daycare owner, ask her what her schedule is like, and what she does with the children during the day. Drop by the daycare unnannounced - any reputable daycare will allow you to do this, if they don't, I would seriously reconsider leaving my child there

Answer 6

I worked at Kindercare in the infant room several years ago, and they were moving toward developing goals and "lesson plans" for the babies even! It may sound like overkill, but it will ensure that your baby is not laying in a crib all day, and that the caregivers are watching her with an educated eye, for developmental milestones, etc.

If it's a commercial daycare, they should have some sort of individualize plan for your baby. If it's family daycare, then getting to know the caregiver and talking with her about what she and the kids did, feeling you can trust her, these are the important things.

Constant vigilence (thanks JK Rowling and Mad Eye Moody, for that one) ! Most important with any daycare. Good luck!

Answer 7

Every daycare is different so if you get a response from a daycare provider who lists a bunch of different things it doesn't mean the one you are leaving your child at will be the same. You really have to ask them what they do with the kids all day and check it out for yourself.

Answer 8

No one can take care of your baby like you can. But if you have to put them in daycare that's what you have to do. Make sure to look into the daycare and talk to other moms that take their children there. The first couple of days will be hard but this could also be a really good thing. Good luck..

Answer 9

If your daughter is going to a day care center this will not happen. Too many doors. Also babys are only allowed in the crib if asleep.
They normally stay very set to routines because why it makes their day better. Don't worry too much.

Oneway you can tell if you think your daughter is laying around to much look for the back her head and hair always being natted together.

Oh and remember no matter how nice they are DO SURPRISE visits. Don't feel bad. Go and show up periodically. Let them know yor hours are from this time to this time. However I get off early sometimes and will not have notice. Make them fear you in a sense.. Be the mom who is too nosey. After all it is your daughter. Good luck!

Answer 10

definitly do the research to find answers any questions you have on that daycare. When you drop your child off you could start a conversation with other parents and ask what they think of the daycare. You could also sit in for a little bit and watch to see what sort of activities they do with the children.