Daycare - In-Home vs. Center??

[KWAK]

After being out of work for almost 2 years now, I'm finally getting ready to go back! Which means daycare for my now 18 month old twin boys. And I'm torn with looking at home care vs. a center.

I know the obvious pros and cons of each - what I'm hoping for, is to hear from other moms of preemies on what they chose and why. While the boys are pretty healthy - having been born early and not getting some of those antibodies, when they get sick - they get pretty sick (think respiratory distress). And I do know that kids share the things we don't want them to (i.e., germs!), so I'm not assuming one place will get them more or less colds!

 

[rich70]

Well hello there.

 

[KWAK]

Well hello there.

Hi yourself! How are ya???

 

[rich70]

Hi yourself! How are ya???

I'm doing good. I was just thinkin about you this week. How have you been?

 

[MrX]

I'm not sure what the benefits of either would be, as we've always used in-home daycare. We have yet to find one that is more than decent though, and our last was an absolute failure, IMO. I wish you the best of luck, regardless of your decision.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

After being out of work for almost 2 years now, I'm finally getting ready to go back! Which means daycare for my now 18 month old twin boys. And I'm torn with looking at home care vs. a center.

I know the obvious pros and cons of each - what I'm hoping for, is to hear from other moms of preemies on what they chose and why. While the boys are pretty healthy - having been born early and not getting some of those antibodies, when they get sick - they get pretty sick (think respiratory distress). And I do know that kids share the things we don't want them to (i.e., germs!), so I'm not assuming one place will get them more or less colds!

OK, a little off topic here. Is it a full moon or is it just Cory who's been extra cranky these past 3 days, lol? Need another playdate soon, how's Wed looking for you?

 

[rich70]

I'm not sure what the benefits of either would be, as we've always used in-home daycare. We have yet to find one that is more than decent though, and our last was an absolute failure, IMO. I wish you the best of luck, regardless of your decision.

When my daughter was an infant we used a home daycare. The problem we had was if the provider got sick, we had to rush around and try to find someone to watch her or one of us had to take a day off. Then she seemed to go on vaction once a month. I couldn't wait to get her into a center. At least they will always be open and not go on vaction.

 

[KWAK]

OK, a little off topic here. Is it a full moon or is it just Cory who's been extra cranky these past 3 days, lol? Need another playdate soon, how's Wed looking for you?

Wed is great - lemme know when and where! We're game!

 

[KWAK]

When my daughter was an infant we used a home daycare. The problem we had was if the provider got sick, we had to rush around and try to find someone to watch her or one of us had to take a day off. Then she seemed to go on vaction once a month. I couldn't wait to get her into a center. At least they will always be open and not go on vaction.

Yeah - I don't think I'm going to commute again - at least not until the kids are older. So depending on where I go to work, I may try Superstars again. When I had pulled B, they were starting to accept infants. My next issue will be finding a spot for 2 infants!!

 

[MrX]

When my daughter was an infant we used a home daycare. The problem we had was if the provider got sick, we had to rush around and try to find someone to watch her or one of us had to take a day off. Then she seemed to go on vaction once a month. I couldn't wait to get her into a center. At least they will always be open and not go on vaction.

We had simliar issues with home daycare. The first provider had an attitude issue, and 4 weeks paid vacation a year plus holidays, among other things. Interviewed others, and thought we had found someone decent. Nope. The kiddo screamed everytime she was dropped off and couldnt wait to be picked-up. Figured she needed an adjustment period, but it never stopped after a few weeks. She is teething, and during teething she will often times have diarrhea. Daycare provider sent her home because of it, and we had to alternate taking days off of work because even after the doctor said there was nothing wrong with her, she is teething, the daycare provider would not allow her to return. Once we informed the provider her bowel movements were somewhat normal, she said the baby could come back. Of course, by this point we were concerned that we would get a call to pick her up the moment she has a loose stool.

 

[rich70]

Yeah - I don't think I'm going to commute again - at least not until the kids are older. So depending on where I go to work, I may try Superstars again. When I had pulled B, they were starting to accept infants. My next issue will be finding a spot for 2 infants!!

Yes two spots might be tough to find. I love Superstar and so does baby. I have never had a problem in the 4 1/2 she has been going there.

We had simliar issues with home daycare. The first provider had an attitude issue, and 4 weeks paid vacation a year plus holidays, among other things. Interviewed others, and thought we had found someone decent. Nope. The kiddo screamed everytime she was dropped off and couldnt wait to be picked-up. Figured she needed an adjustment period, but it never stopped after a few weeks. She is teething, and during teething she will often times have diarrhea. Daycare provider sent her home because of it, and we had to alternate taking days off of work because even after the doctor said there was nothing wrong with her, she is teething, the daycare provider would not allow her to return. Once we informed the provider her bowel movements were somewhat normal, she said the baby could come back. Of course, by this point we were concerned that we would get a call to pick her up the moment she has a loose stool.

That sounds all to familiar. I really couldn't wait to find a center. It is 100x better.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

Wed is great - lemme know when and where! We're game!

Sounds good to me, we'll figure it out depending on the weather.

As for finding 2 infant spots, maybe you should just start your own in home daycare!

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I used a center once when my daughter was about 5. Never again! It lasted a few months and I just got annoyed with everything. I had her in two home daycare arrangements after that, both for a few years each. IMO, the smaller atmosphere is ideal and it just worked better for me. Others swear by centers and that's cool, too. It just didn't work for my situation.

 

[KWAK]

I used a center once when my daughter was about 5. Never again! It lasted a few months and I just got annoyed with everything. I had her in two home daycare arrangements after that, both for a few years each. IMO, the smaller atmosphere is ideal and it just worked better for me. Others swear by centers and that's cool, too. It just didn't work for my situation.

Those are the things I'm trying to think about! My daughter always went to a center. . .the first was great until it became under new management and the second was so great - that if I find work that way (it's in St. Mary's and I moved to Calvert) I will try and get the boys in there. But since there is the whole adjusted age thing to consider, I question if they would benefit from a home provider more or a center. They are almost where they should be - but I do work with Infants & Toddlers and a speech therapist.

Like was mentioned, I also worry about the vacation/sick thing.

 

[huntr1]

I'd go with a home day care over a center from the germ standpoint. Fewer germ breeders.

Where are you looking for care? I know of a home provider that will have 2 infant spots in July. 1 now, 1 at the end of July. Provider is in northern Mechanicsville.

 

[KWAK]

I'd go with a home day care over a center from the germ standpoint. Fewer germ breeders.

Where are you looking for care? I know of a home provider that will have 2 infant spots in July. 1 now, 1 at the end of July. Provider is in northern Mechanicsville.

I will likely do plenty of interviewing to make sure I make the right choice for my kiddos so I would be interested in the provider you recommend. Where I wind up is anyone's guess! I'm currently looking for work in the SOMD area (not really wanting to commute again until they're older) and while I'm in Prince Frederick I'm searching the whole area - although I seem to be targeting a larger company like PAX River area (my experience comes from a large company and I'm most used to those policies & procedures).

 

[Chasey_Lane]

(my experience comes from a large company and I'm most used to those policies & procedures).

May I suggest a small business? You'll likely have more flexible hours, staff & management vs going w/a larger company.

 

[KWAK]

May I suggest a small business? You'll likely have more flexible hours, staff & management vs going w/a larger company.

You really think so? I was soooo spoiled with my last company - unlimited sick leave, 4 weeks of vacation plus family leave and floating holidays. I know not to expect that (don't I wish?!), of course. My biggest problem is that my former job no longer exists so I'm struggling to find something comparable. For some reason, I associate (in my head) smaller companies offering less.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

You really think so? I was soooo spoiled with my last company - unlimited sick leave, 4 weeks of vacation plus family leave and floating holidays. I know not to expect that (don't I wish?!), of course. My biggest problem is that my former job no longer exists so I'm struggling to find something comparable. For some reason, I associate (in my head) smaller companies offering less.

I've seen smaller companies offering more because they don't have the OH like bigger corporations, especially those that are publically traded. Bottom line, a job is a job. Congrats on going back to work!

 

[Mama_Mia08]

We had simliar issues with home daycare. The first provider had an attitude issue, and 4 weeks paid vacation a year plus holidays, among other things. Interviewed others, and thought we had found someone decent. Nope. The kiddo screamed everytime she was dropped off and couldnt wait to be picked-up. Figured she needed an adjustment period, but it never stopped after a few weeks. She is teething, and during teething she will often times have diarrhea. Daycare provider sent her home because of it, and we had to alternate taking days off of work because even after the doctor said there was nothing wrong with her, she is teething, the daycare provider would not allow her to return. Once we informed the provider her bowel movements were somewhat normal, she said the baby could come back. Of course, by this point we were concerned that we would get a call to pick her up the moment she has a loose stool.

Per Office of Childcare:
COMAR 13A.15.11 Health
.02 Exclusion for Acute Illness.
A. The provider or substitute shall:
(1) Monitor children for signs and symptoms of acute illness; and
(2) Notify immediately a child's parent or other person designated on the child's emergency card upon observing a sign or symptom of acute illness.
B. The provider or substitute may not allow a child to enter or remain in care if the child is exhibiting symptoms of acute illness such as, but not limited to:
(1) Vomiting;
(2) Fever;
(3) Seizures;
(4) Severe pain; or
(5) Diarrhea.

Now, I was told that if the symptoms were due to teething then the child could be allowed in care. However, if the child needs additional care that takes away from the care of the other children then the provider can send them home.

I was a working parent at one time and my oldest went to a center. She was always sick and the cost was insane. At that point in time I was against home day care because I thought they weren't as good. After moving here and going through the licensing process myself I think home daycares have come along way. I think it just depends on what the specific needs are for each family. What may be good for one family isn't good for another.