https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:30:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2922053 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 22:22:10 +0000 winter_wonder 2922053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all for your responses. Lots of goos information to think about before we decide. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2922041 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:50:50 +0000 ShootingStar 2922041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have one in 1st grade and one in pre-k (in a private daycare). The first grader goes to after school at the same daycare where pre-k is. There is a van that drives him there, but it's like a 1 minute ride and I think it's a lot safer than the school bus - less kids, direct ride. </p> <p>We like this arrangement for a few reasons. Having both kids end up at the same place makes it easier for pick up, also the daycare does care on a lot of the days when the elementary school is closed (like most of winter break except for a couple days of holiday). </p> <p>Over the summer the daycare does "camp" for school age kids, which we did last summer. I'm not sure if that's what we want to do again this summer or not. But it is a high possibility. So then we just have both kids in one place. </p> <p>Next year we'll probably use the same daycare for after school even though it's a tiny bit further to drive because we like using them for non-school days and it makes it easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2922039 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:07:50 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2922039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of interesting points to consider. I have a DS that will be starting kindergarten in August as well and I was planning to send him to the after school program at his current center where he is attending Pre-K. They offer camps for off weeks and it would mean 1 pick up location for both kids since our 2 year old is already on site. </p> <p>I had not thought about some of the considerations noted for the after care program at the school. I will have to get more information on how it is set up but may be worth looking into. I attend the afterschool program at my school for a few years before riding the bus home and going to a neighbors house until my Mom got home from work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2922008 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 16:07:59 +0000 LemonJack 2922008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you love the center, my vote it to stay there. Like someone else said, another branch of the same center may not be nearly as good, so I just wouldn’t want to risk it. DH handles the mornings, but has been doing two drop offs for a few years now and it doesn’t seem to be a problem for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2922002 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 14:24:19 +0000 Chuckles 2922002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS has been going to aftercare at his school since he started in kindergarten. He generally really likes it and has made a wider range of friends, including kids in other grades, than he would have otherwise. Also, different branches of the same center can have significantly different cultures (more turnover, etc). I vote keep the same center and use the school childcare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2921998 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 13:43:42 +0000 agold 2921998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't want my little kid going in a van. So I'd do whatever to avoid that. I'd look into a little nanny for your new baby and just see if you can make that work somehow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2921988 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 10:30:38 +0000 ALV91711 2921988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’d also consider how much extra time it is to do two pick up and drop offs. I personally wouldn’t worry so much about the transportation from daycare to school. </p> <p>I have a 2yo and a grade 2. We live our daycare, so while there like be options for the other one I’d rather drop both boys together. They take DS to the bus stop and pick him up. Then in the summers and breaks they are in the same place and no extra figuring out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2921984 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 01:03:07 +0000 Corduroy 2921984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: I think both situations are workable. They have their pros and cons. I would add the following to your list of considerations:</p> <p>1) Do on-campus after school care program spots get harder to come by after Kindergarten? Spaces at some of our school's are ridiculously hard to get and priority goes to re-enrolling students, then new Kindergartners, then to not previously enrolled 1st-5th. I thought my school was competitive but in the neighboring district parents literally line up in the middle of the night for spots. I hope it's better other places.</p> <p>2) As much as I want to believe Covid will be contained by Fall, I would compare how both schools handled childcare during this year to anticipate any closures. </p> <p>My 2nd grade DD did well with the on campus after school care. This year both my kids are doing virtual school at the day care run by what is usually the after school care. It's working ok and it has a lot of up sides but if I had the option to keep my Kindergarten son in an in person Kindergarten at his preschool/daycare I would have done that in a heart beat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2921983 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 23:03:37 +0000 winter_wonder 2921983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee and @sweetcaroline thanks for your responses! Yes, I like the idea of me just dropping her off in the same place so I'm not worried about her traveling. Good point on her wanting to spend more time with friends the the at school program would provide. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2921981 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 19:16:22 +0000 SweetCaroline 2921981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a Kindergartener and an infant. Infant goes to daycare, Kinder gets dropped off at school at 720am and attends aftercare at her school. I like that because I know where she is all day and I don't have to worry about her traveling. She attends Spanish 2 days per week after school and then goes to aftercare if DH isn't there yet. All this in the same building. The other 3 days she goes straight to aftercare. It is so awesome, the lady that directs the after care program also directs the after school enrichment programs and is the school's science teacher. So my daughter has continuity all day long. She will attend summer camp, either sponsored by her school, the local public school, or the conservation district (wherever we can secure a spot 😬). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2921980 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 18:30:31 +0000 bhbee 2921980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would consider using the school’s care if it has good word of mouth reviews. My oldest used to be jealous of the kids who went to aftercare (as she came home) because they got more time with their school friends and on the playground. Seems like less transitions for her also. There may also be camps you hear about for your older one once school starts - for example, near us a majority of school age kids who need full day for summer go to the catholic school down the street which runs Kidventure camp (non religious) all summer. Just to say, options may open up once you enter a new circle of acquaintances (who probably also need summer care) and she may want to do things with new school friends. </p> <p>I’m no expert though, in the end I think what is easiest for you is the best and kids will adjust to whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-logistics#post-2921979 Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:07:00 +0000 winter_wonder 2921979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baby #2 is due in early July and I am trying to figure out logistics for both kids. DD will start kindergarten in August. Her current center does is only for infants-preschool. I love, love her center. Another branch of her center offers infant and before and after school care for older kids. The only drawback is that DD would have to be driven in a van to school by center staff (not crazy about this idea). The other option would be to do at school before and after care provided in the actual school. It follows the school calendar, so only available for 10 months or so of the year. I will need care in the summer for DD, but I could try to find a separate arrangement? If we did the in school care for DD then I would just take baby #2 to DD's old center.</p> <p>What do you think? Other logistics to consider? </p>