https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:42:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548552 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:05:58 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 548552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer a center (which is more tightly regulated) to in home. There is a reason for the price difference that involves training, regulations, and curriculum. I have a friend who has her baby in home and she just has to roll with the punches when her baby gets a bite of cupcake or gets exposed to sponge bob. That kind of stuff would flip my nut! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548537 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:59:28 +0000 LuLu Mom 548537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you will like the attention she gets at an inhome, our lady does the same thing (text pics, ect.) through the day and I love seeing that my LO has a big smile on her face, and she lights up when I drop her off. I feel like 16 babies is a lot, and it might be easy for a "good" baby to be forgotten. I love our in home and love that we feel like family.</p> <p>For example this morning I was having a rough morning and our lady could tell and gave me a hug, it made me feel good that she not only cares about LO but me too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548423 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:19:10 +0000 chrispygal 548423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there are pros and cons to both, but personally I would probably switch. I agree that 16 babies is a LOT, and that must be a total chaotic environment. I'm not sure I would want my LO in that every day. My baby is the "good" daycare baby, so I know what you mean with worrying she is not getting the same attention. She is only there one day a week (with an aunt the other 4 days) so it's less of an issue for us and now we've found that the workers fight over who gets our daughter, because they know she is easy.</p> <p>An obvious con of a home daycare is yes, people can come and go and it may be less structured. One of the pros is that your LO will have a small, intimate group that would be more like being home with you. Personally I would like the smaller group for my LO, especially for the first year. The savings is just icing on the cake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548410 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:11:41 +0000 Mrsbells 548410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CarrieLouWho: I just feel as thought rules are followed and enforced better in a daycare than in someone's home. Also in a home setting I feel as though that person's friends or family can stop by at any time so it might be less safe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548381 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:59:07 +0000 KayKay 548381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing to consider -- I thought that the 3-5 month age range was the hardest for me when LO started daycare (with the same 1:4 ratio). She, too, was a fairly easy baby, and I waffled between worrying that when she cried, no one would comfort her quick enough...or that she wouldn't cry and would get ignored. However, once she got old enough (around 4 months) to be propped sitting in a boppy, and then ultimately could sit on her own at 5 months, I didn't worry so much because I knew she was generally content to sit and play on her own or next to other babies.</p> <p>The price increase is annoying but seems like just bad timing, not necessarily a deciding factor.</p> <p>I doubt at 4 months your LO would have much issue with switching, especially since she sounds pretty chill.</p> <p>Ultimately it comes down to finding the place that you are most comfortable with! There are pros and cons with any type of childcare -- I think the most important thing is to find one with caregivers that you really like and that you feel really care for your child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548353 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:44:55 +0000 mediagirl 548353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would feel very uncomfortable with that many babies in one room, no matter how many teachers there are. That was one of my big reasons for not moving to the "better" daycare across from my work. I would definitely look into the home daycare, especially if she has great references and has been doing it for a while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548350 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:42:35 +0000 CarrieLouWho 548350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LittleK - I'm going to ask tonight about the curriculum. I agree, I am looking forward to getting art projects to post at home and work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548346 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:40:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 548346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't really even researched daycares yet, but to me at 4 months, I do think I'd prefer a home based one. Also at 4 months, I'm sure the transition will be easy enough-- she might have a rough time the first couple of days, but I don't think that's worth not changing her. But you'll have to go and see what you feel when you are there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548297 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:26:11 +0000 littlek 548297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, I forgot to ask, did you find out what the curriculm is like at the new place? Do they do art work, etc? Is TV time limited/nonexistent? The one thing I do like about daycare is the fun art projects and that there are no TVs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548289 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:24:47 +0000 MaisyMay 548289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd switch. I think the fact that you can call to check in, it's cheaper, your co-worker recommended it, those are all good things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548268 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:18:53 +0000 CarrieLouWho 548268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LittleK - I know that's totally an extreme case and it brings up worst-first thinking. I know it's not the norm... but now it's in my mind. I kind of wish she hadn't told me, but then again I asked for her advice/thoughts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548266 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:17:20 +0000 littlek 548266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CarrieLouWho: Wow, that is scary... but again I would have to hope that is not common with at home daycares. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548259 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:14:03 +0000 CarrieLouWho 548259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LittleK, @babyboecksmom, @bao - THANK YOU!</p> <p>@MrsBells - can I ask you why you have that preference? I do/did as well. </p> <p>I had pretty much made myself ok with doing in-home since I had a close personal reference and I'm getting a good vibe so far.<br /> BUT... I asked one of my good experienced mom friends what she thought and this is what she said -<br /> "A lot of my hesitation is due to my old coworker whose daughter was sexually molested around the age of 3. She suppressed the memories until she was in college and then became very mentally ill and ultimately committed suicide. It was tragic. This is obviously not the typical situation but my coworker adored the day care worker and thought of the woman as a friend and second mom to her baby. She had no idea the woman was bringing men in and letting them molest her daughter."</p> <p>Ugh... why did she have to share that with me? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548229 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:00:10 +0000 Mrsbells 548229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The overall total number of babies doesnt bother me as much as the ratio of teachers to babies. However if they have 4 teachers that means that ratio is 1 teach to 4 babies, which is acceptable. I would leave her in the center just because I prefer the setting of a center to a home care </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548216 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:53:34 +0000 Bao 548216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the switch! </p> <p>That is a lot of babies, and as much as it may be a bummer...with that many babies, she probably isn't getting as much attention as the needy babies. If it is going to save you money, and there will be less kids, I would think that would be a much better change. LO is still young, so she won't notice the change as much. Good luck, and let us know how it goes when you take a visit :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548190 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:45:40 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 548190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it in a heartbeat! </p> <p>I'm in a similar situation and have been since DD started daycare. I wouldn't worry about changing your LO around. It might be a week (at most) of an adjustment but that's a small amount of time when you look at the big picture. And if she's getting more attention, it sounds like it's definitely a change for the better. And don't worry about changing her again for preK - that's years away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548182 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:40:16 +0000 littlek 548182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>16 babies is a lot of babies. Our infant room only has 8. I would visit the in home daycare and if you like it, make the change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/change-daycare-ltlonggt#post-548177 Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:38:00 +0000 CarrieLouWho 548177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, we like LO’s daycare for the most part. She’s 4 months and in the infant room. There are 16 babies and 4 workers. The ladies there love her and we've had pretty good experiences so far. The only thing that kind of bothers me is that both of her main caregivers always comment on what a great baby she is. So good that sometimes they don’t even know she’s there since all the other babies are always crying and fussing. Honestly, she is a great baby, very chill for the most part and easygoing. But part of me is bothered by it, I feel like she may not be getting as much attention because she’s not “the squeaky wheel” as my mom puts it. </p> <p>We got a letter last stating they are increasing tuition $12 / week, so we're going from $240 to $252 / week. That’s only a 5% increase and they said they haven’t increased prices since 2010. However, we just started a month ago, so it’s kind of annoying they never mentioned they were considering a price increase. </p> <p>One of the girls I work with had her baby a month before me and goes to an in-home daycare around the corner from our house (about 5 minutes). She loves it; her daughter has been going for 2 months. It's a mother-daughter team and there are currently 2 babies and they have a spot open. They also watch 6 toddlers up to age 3. The cost is $180 a week. They have the same hours as the current place, pretty much the same days off schedule, and the same distance from home/work.</p> <p>All of that to say - I don't really want to change per se, but it's already pretty expensive paying for daycare. We can afford the increase, but I guess I’m just annoyed we didn’t know about it. I didn't do an at home place initially because I didn't have anyone to refer me to one and I just wasn't comfortable with one person watching my baby. My co-worker loves this place and I trust her judgment, so I think I am comfortable with it. </p> <p>We are going to meet with the new place tonight. I got a good vibe over the phone - she sounds organized, has run a local daycare before, has a handbook, was very friendly. She says she will text/call during the day to let us know she’s ok (which my co-worker loves). My current place is usually really short over the phone and I kind of feel like a dummy when I call to check on DD. </p> <p>My biggest worry is changing her around from place to place. And I think I would want to do more of a pre-school setting when she's older so she'll be used to a school environment vs. in home. So that would be another change when she gets older. </p> <p>What would you Bees do? We have to give a 2 weeks’ notice to our current place if we want to leave. I feel bad moving DD around but at this age I don't see where she's getting a lot out of being around 15 other babies and we could always use the extra money. We can afford the increase, but if we moved it would end up saving us almost $5,000 a year. </p>