[hopeful2adopt]

Hello All,

We've had Sammy since early July and I've definitely enjoyed being home with him, but I have started looking into child care when I go back to work. I found a couple of options...a day care that I know quite a few of my friends and coworkers use and recommend and a babysitter that watches 3 children in her home. I have interviewed both and each has their pros and cons. I could see Sammy going to either one and being ultimately content and taken care of. Just curious, for those of you who work outside of the home, what were some of the things that you were most interested in when you were interviewing child care providers and ultimately what kind of provider did you choose: day care, babysitter, or something else? Thanks for any input in advance.

[mommyoftwo]

I went for the daycare for a few different reasons. The main reason that there were quite a bit of adults around. I felt that my child was safer that way. There were always at least 2 adults in the room. The ration was 4 children for every 1 teacher. I also found a place were there was a very low turnover rate. My daughter is 9 now. I have a son that is 3 and has had all of the teachers my daughter had. His teacher this year has been there for 20 years. His teacher for next year has been there for 10 years. That says a lot about a daycare. I also went for daycare beacause I saw my friends at school(Im a teacher) scrambling to find a babysitter because their babysitter called at 6 the same morning saying she couldnt babysit. My 2 friends use the same babysitter. They have been going there for almost 4 years and this happens at least 4 or 5 times a year. This year she is not willing to watch the kids when we have inservice days, and she is going on a vacation in November. I never had to deal with this issue in daycare. Their ratio is actually higher than mine. This woman watches 4 outside children plus 2 of her own.

There are definately pros and cons to both. You have to decide which has more to offer. Good luck!!

[Shrken7]

We use a licensed in home daycare. The woman has a helper as well (she has a total of 9 children various ages). I've known the family since I was in high school (though not closely). She adores my son and all of the other children. That would be the biggest pro. My son loves her and for the most part likes going to daycare (except when he's under the weather). The cons would be that when I change him to preschool he's going to have to adjust to not having her around anymore. I think that's going to be tough on him (or maybe just me). I don't think home daycares are as germ conscious as the outside ones. Our provider seems to take the kids even when they are vomiting or have a fever. Just remember no matter what you choose to do, no one will be you. They (meaning both daycare types) will not keep your dc as clean as you would like. Your schedule will be just that---YOURS. The never seem to stick to it.

Good luck with your decision---It's a very big one!

[adoptkoreablog]

We chose a daycare center for the following reasons:

1. The one we chose had a formal learning plan (even in the infant room).

2. My son is very social and he loves all of the kids his age.

3. Security.

4. We think the transition to school will be very easy for my son from his daycare.

5. We worried about him bonding with a babysitter and what would happen if that babysitter had to quit. In the daycare he has several teachers and he's used to the helpers coming and going.

However, I know that there are pros to the babysitter option as well.

[ndoscoptec]

We went through a bunch of babysitters and home daycare with our older son. I thought a smaller setting would be nice but in the end we found a good center and wished we had done that from the start.We found a good center when my younger son came. He has been there for about 6 months and has learned so much.

They are there every day. Don't have to depend on someone elses schedule.

Usually costs more but if they are nmore dependable you may be better off in the long run.

Lots of staff around. Ours now even has cameras in every room.

Our son is with a stable group of kids all his own age.

MLH