THE CHILD CARE DEBATE PT.2 - DAYCARE
Ok, so let’s jump right in. I covered all things Nanny, which did reach and impact many of you. So to all those to whom I did give some insight, you are very welcome.
It’s time to touch on Daycare. This is always a scary choice for any parent, myself included. After all, you are trusting your kids with a stranger (just as with a nanny), the only difference is that your little one will be cared for outside your home, they will now be one of five (instead of one on one as with a nanny) and the environment is notorious for exposure to any bugs that might be going around. Doesn’t sound too appealing right now but keep reading and you may be pleasantly surprised.
The daycare environment is a transition for any child and parent, especially those children over the age of 1, so the nervousness you are feeling is completely normal. Just as with choosing a nanny, research is crucial along with open houses. All daycares allow you to tour their facilities during operating hours, so as to get a feel of the routine, staff and environment, which your child will be a part of. Do as many open houses and you need to make a decision, just don’t overload your option plate, this could lead to confusion and we don’t want that. Speaking with other parents whose kids are in daycare is also a great idea. This helps you narrow your options, making for an easier decision. One thing I want to warn against is, choosing based on ratings. There are daycares out there that might not turn up hundreds of five star ratings, not because they are questionable but maybe no one rated them, this happened to me.
My local daycare didn’t have tons of 5 star ratings nor a fancy website, I toured it anyway and my daughter and I loved it, but I also toured a 5 star facilities with tons of praises online and liked it so I chose the highly rated one. She lasted 2 weeks at the 5 star facility. I know, it seems like I should have given her more time, but there were signs that as a parent I noticed (parental instincts). One sign is, that she never talked about her day and every morning she would cry in a way I had to notice that she wasn’t happy. I then reached out to the neighborhood daycare, and she was accepted. The first day at the neighborhood daycare, the one without the tons of ratings, she shouted goodbye, kissed me and jumped right in. When I picked her up, she had eaten the lunch I took for her (this was allowed as long as it contained no allergens), played well and could not stop talking about ‘school’, she was happy!
Tip
Do not prejudge a facility. Take the tour and have your child with you, their reaction is just as important to your decision.
During this decision making process, make sure to find out about operating hours, if they offer early drop off and late pick up, and if this comes at an additional cost. If so how much. This is all to ensure, that you know exactly what time restrictions if any, that you are walking into. Because let’s face it, sometimes we need to go in early, whether it be for a meeting, poor traffic that morning or delays on the train. Then there are the days that these same situations can come up at the end of a work day causing you to be late for pick up. All these things are only things that can happen and probably won’t be a norm but it is always good to cover all bases.
Other questions to ask is about the meal policy, the majority of daycares do allow for parents to pack lunches with or without a doctor’s note, but there are the few that are very strict. So if you know you want your child to eat in a particular way, this flexibility is important. It is also good to note, that all daycares do offer a full day of meals and snacks, which are very nutritious. You can also ask for a copy of the weekly or monthly menu, so that you can have an idea of what is being served.
After you have asked all the questions that have been on your mind, now comes the paperwork and payment. There are some required documents that you should have like Birth Certificate, Immunization Records and Universal Health Record, these are the basic records any other information that the facility needs, they will let you know. Read all paperwork and make sure you know what you are signing, all of which is pretty much standard, but it is good to review them and ask any questions, no matter how trivial they may seem.
Whew! Now the hard work is done. Time to get you and your little one, ready for the 1st day drop off. There is no magic elixir to ease the nerves of the first day, so just be strong for your little one and know that they may cry, this is normal for the first couple days. The only time you should worry is, if they seem not to be settling in and with that the daycare workers will tell you how your little one is settling during the day and, from their experience, if your little one will adjust. Also, remember that you can always speak with them as well, if you are concerned about the transition. They are very well trained, and are very welcoming to parent’s questions. Nothing beats your parental instincts though. Trust me I was hesitant about daycare but, my daughter is thrieving in ways that I didn't anticipate and is even more so independant than when she began.
By now you are wondering why I didn’t cover cost, this is because daycare costs vary depending on location, what the facility offers and what your needs are (be it full or half day care). Your research will guide you to the daycare, that more fits your economical and geographical needs. With all daycares though, you should know that, on public holidays they are closed, so you will need backup care for those days, if you have to be at work. Anytime that your little one will not be there (eg. Family vacation), still needs to be paid for, so as to save your child’s spot. These spots go quickly, as there are more often than not families on an enrollment waiting list, so securing your spot is necessary. There are however, times that the fee may be waived, such as in case of a family emergency, which may cause an extended absence. This varies by daycares so be sure to ask. Also, when your little one is sick, they are usually not allowed to attend daycare (depending how sick they are), until they are cleared by a doctor, so you will need backup care in those instances as well.
With all that being said, daycare does have its advantages. Your little one will be accepted into a very diverse social environment, with kids their own age, the daycare’s times are set so no need to worry about being late for work, someone will be there for morning drop off and they do get into a routine of going to a facility to learn and play with others, which makes entry into Pre-K a whole lot easier.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of care. Your decision, will be based solely on your requirements for your little one and your budget. As a mom, ex-nanny and a mom that uses daycare, each decision requires an emergency back-up. As there will be times that care will fall through, no matter which choice you go with. So please let's be the Rock Star parents that I know we are, and get back up no matter which choice we make. Be as prepared as possible.
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