https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 11:07:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-options-gulp#post-324511 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:23:55 +0000 dookie32 324511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is at Bright Horizons (in the Chicago burbs) and we are very happy with them. I would recommend just booking tours at as many places as you can so you can get a feel of the different centers. We toured 3 other centers than the one we ended up at and it was no contest which one we liked best. You just get a feeling where you are most comfortable. Price-wise there seemed to be very little difference between the ones in a certain radius from where we live so that wasn't a real factor. </p> <p>I know there are positives and negatives about day care. Obviously the germs are the negatives (not looking forward to this winter at all!). But the positives for us are that our son gets socialization he wouldn't get otherwise- we don't have a lot of friends with babies around. I also love that he is with a teacher and not just a babysitter. My son's teacher is awesome and is really invested in working with him on developmental skills. It definitely makes it easier to be away from him knowing he's with someone I really trust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-options-gulp#post-324372 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:40:16 +0000 ladyfingers 324372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Our No. 1 choice also has two infant rooms -- I didn't realize how important that was until we visited!</p> <p>Honestly, visiting daycares has helped me relax a ton. Seeing the way the teachers and staff interact with the babies, and seeing the fact that yes, there are 8 cribs in this room and a couple of crying babies but the rest of the babies are still fast asleep or just sitting there chilling out... helped me not be so freaked out about my kid being "cramped" or it being too hectic for him. And being able to see that there isn't poo on the walls or flies all over the place has helped my image of daycare also :)</p> <p>You might try your state's department of children and families, I used ours for a preliminary search to compile all the daycares in our area, then I called to get prices. I was able to weed a lot out that way, and then quick drop-in visits helped weed others out further. It helped too because they should have all the inspection notices and any complaints or licensing issues, so you can really see what you're getting into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-options-gulp#post-324301 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:17:15 +0000 Shutterbug 324301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's also this state run website that has a search option <a href="http://www.eec.state.ma.us/ChildCareSearch/EarlyEduMap.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.eec.state.ma.us/ChildCareSearch/EarlyEduMap.aspx</a></p> <p>Good luck - I'm not even pregnant yet and I'm already worried about daycare </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-options-gulp#post-324254 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:56:03 +0000 Honeybee 324254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we switched from a nanny to daycare, I started by visiting a local program specifically set up to help parents navigate childcare in my area. Many counties, cities, states, etc... have these programs that have lists of accredited care facilities, information on complaints/investigations/routine checks done on the facilities, counseling on which facilities would be good fits, reccommendations on questions to ask during tours, etc... It was really helpful.</p> <p>To find out what local programs are available in your area, you'll want to call your state's 211 number. The 211 service is available in pretty much every state, and it is just a hotline that will give you information on what government programs (for example childcare information programs) are available in your location. It looks like you can just dial "211" in Boston, and that should connect you to the hotline, or check out the Massachusetts website:<br /> <a href="http://www.mass211.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mass211.org/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-options-gulp#post-324219 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:34:03 +0000 mediagirl 324219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sigh. So hard. I freaked out, as well. We were never able to find a family to nanny share with so that didn't work out for us. </p> <p>The daycare thing is very difficult. Much more difficult with the baby here and not just brewing inside. My suggestion is to find the one you feel most comfortable with. I like the idea of daycares with a room for non-crawlers and a room for crawlers and almost walkers. This keeps the young babies from being trampled by the older babies. I was just informed that when the older babies are around at the daycare M is at now, the younger babies can't just lay on the floor and play or do tummy time b/c they might get trampled or something dropped on them. Makes me even happier we're moving her at the end of the month to a place with two infant rooms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-options-gulp#post-324214 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:31:55 +0000 Adira 324214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would suggest this site:</p> <p><a href="http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/search" rel="nofollow">http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/search</a></p> <p>to search for accredited daycares in your area. It's at least a good way to start the search for decent daycares. Once you've found a few, you could use Google to find some reviews on them to get an idea if they're well liked or not. Then just start scheduling tours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-options-gulp#post-324208 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:25:53 +0000 mrs. wagon 324208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm beginning the research/search for childcare options for LMW starting in January, when my mom won't be coming to help us anymore. She's getting us to the six month mark, then she's gotta go back to her life otherwise my dad will probably go crazy! Haha. </p> <p>I never had to do this with Wagon Jr. since I was a SAHM until he was 18 months. I feel like such a newb. I have a spot reserved at his daycare for LMW when she turns 15 months (the youngest they take) but I need something from January until November. </p> <p>Any suggestions on how to start the search? I'm googling and looking at places like Little Sprouts and Bright Horizons, and hyperventilating a little at pictures of rooms with six cribs or pack n plays in them... I know kids do this all the time (and probably sleep better since they learn to sleep thru noise!) but I'm just getting used to the idea. </p> <p>I love the idea of a nanny share but not sure if that's something I can pursue since we only need it for 10 months. Don't think the other family would agree to it if they needed to find another family to share the nanny with after less than a year. </p>