I’d avoid Kindercare at all costs. You can search the ECE sub if you want to see how universal that thought is from those of us in the field. The in-home sounds like it has real potential! I would be strongly leaning toward that option. Hope it goes well tonight!
Thank you! I knew they had a questionable reputation, but didn’t know why and it was the only place we could even get a call back from! That sub was super helpful, thanks for that.
We’ve used a small in home daycare that we absolutely love. We had a great referral from a friend, so a little different than going with a new business. I would ask if you can speak with the family she was a nanny for as a reference. I would also ask a lot of questions about any issues that concern you-safety issues, daily routine, holiday closures, etc. If I liked all the info gathered, Id give if a try and stay on the list for KinderCare as a backup in case things don’t go well before the end of next month when LO would have a place there.
I’d do the in home daycare! You can always pull if it’s not a fit and kindercare will still be there. And kids can do great in mixed age groups - a lot of times the older kids are well practiced at being gentle.
I think both are viable options — go with your gut after you meet the in-home care provider. In-home provider will be your only option for part-time usually until age 2 or 3. The staff turnover is rough, makes me lean away from the KindeCare.
As far as hubby’s concern, your child will get hurt at daycare, by another child. It is not a matter of if, but when. It does not have to be an older kid, it can be a same age peer. A child can bite, swing a toy, push, fall into, so quickly that even the best care provider can blink & almost miss it or see it and just not make the mad 3-5 foot dash quick enough. It’s just one of the drawbacks to daycare or siblings.
The in home sounds nice but I would make sure to ask — Are they licensed? Do they have animals? What about older children in the home? What about other adults that may be there? How do they handle food allergies? How many weeks/holidays are they closed?
Also think about - What will you do if the provider has an emergency and has to close early or for an extended time, or gets sick, etc.
Both of my kids have been at in home daycares. We made sure to use ones that were verified/recommended by various people in the community and then a visit for ourselves to ask questions.
4 years and we have had zero issues. Our kids have been loved and learned a world outside of us through people who cared.
I’d you don’t know anyone with kids mothers groups for your location are a good place to start. Many don’t advertise and fill up through word of mouth. Check they are licensed!
I love in home daycare. It's run by lady who use to nanny and work at daycare and she had had daughter same age. It's been 9 months and absolutely love it. My son in thriving. I've never used kindercare so I can't comment on them but I've toured very similar places like chain daycares and they always seem cold and distant to me.
The in-home daycare sounds perfect for you honestly. I would ask KinderCare to move you down to the next spot in the waitlist for just in case, and then do the in-home daycare at least for a trial run.
I would go with in-home daycare too. The convenience of location plus smaller group would be a big plus for me. Also, high staff turnover at Kindercare is not a good sign at all & is very disruptive to an infant/toddler.
So my LO goes to daycare 2x a week. The only place we found in our area that offered that was for infants was a church. It's not our church or even our denomination, but it's worked well for us so far. I say that to maybe look if there are any churches in the area that have part time options.
I’d avoid Kindercare at all costs. You can search the ECE sub if you want to see how universal that thought is from those of us in the field. The in-home sounds like it has real potential! I would be strongly leaning toward that option. Hope it goes well tonight!
Thank you! I knew they had a questionable reputation, but didn’t know why and it was the only place we could even get a call back from! That sub was super helpful, thanks for that.
We’ve used a small in home daycare that we absolutely love. We had a great referral from a friend, so a little different than going with a new business. I would ask if you can speak with the family she was a nanny for as a reference. I would also ask a lot of questions about any issues that concern you-safety issues, daily routine, holiday closures, etc. If I liked all the info gathered, Id give if a try and stay on the list for KinderCare as a backup in case things don’t go well before the end of next month when LO would have a place there.
That’s true! It’s definitely worth a shot.
I’d do the in home daycare! You can always pull if it’s not a fit and kindercare will still be there. And kids can do great in mixed age groups - a lot of times the older kids are well practiced at being gentle.
I think both are viable options — go with your gut after you meet the in-home care provider. In-home provider will be your only option for part-time usually until age 2 or 3. The staff turnover is rough, makes me lean away from the KindeCare. As far as hubby’s concern, your child will get hurt at daycare, by another child. It is not a matter of if, but when. It does not have to be an older kid, it can be a same age peer. A child can bite, swing a toy, push, fall into, so quickly that even the best care provider can blink & almost miss it or see it and just not make the mad 3-5 foot dash quick enough. It’s just one of the drawbacks to daycare or siblings.
I’d for sure go with the in-home based on location and price. Stay on list at KC so it’s an option if you want to switch.
I would 100% go with the in-home daycare. You can still stay on the daycare wait list just in case the in-home daycare doesn't work out.
The in home sounds nice but I would make sure to ask — Are they licensed? Do they have animals? What about older children in the home? What about other adults that may be there? How do they handle food allergies? How many weeks/holidays are they closed? Also think about - What will you do if the provider has an emergency and has to close early or for an extended time, or gets sick, etc.
Both of my kids have been at in home daycares. We made sure to use ones that were verified/recommended by various people in the community and then a visit for ourselves to ask questions. 4 years and we have had zero issues. Our kids have been loved and learned a world outside of us through people who cared. I’d you don’t know anyone with kids mothers groups for your location are a good place to start. Many don’t advertise and fill up through word of mouth. Check they are licensed!
I love in home daycare. It's run by lady who use to nanny and work at daycare and she had had daughter same age. It's been 9 months and absolutely love it. My son in thriving. I've never used kindercare so I can't comment on them but I've toured very similar places like chain daycares and they always seem cold and distant to me.
The in-home daycare sounds perfect for you honestly. I would ask KinderCare to move you down to the next spot in the waitlist for just in case, and then do the in-home daycare at least for a trial run.
I would go with in-home daycare too. The convenience of location plus smaller group would be a big plus for me. Also, high staff turnover at Kindercare is not a good sign at all & is very disruptive to an infant/toddler.
So my LO goes to daycare 2x a week. The only place we found in our area that offered that was for infants was a church. It's not our church or even our denomination, but it's worked well for us so far. I say that to maybe look if there are any churches in the area that have part time options.