https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 01 Jul 2026 03:05:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884731 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:46:43 +0000 catomd00 1884731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go with your gut, trust me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884726 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:45:40 +0000 Chillybear 1884726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The food would be the least of my worries, our center does provide food but so far at a year she is still not big enough to participate in the meal program. Like others said you got a while to think about that and if you do the traditional staring solids you end up doing 3 days of avocados, then carrots etc. and for the most part its super easy to throw some left overs or frozen veggies in a container. Ask the teachers what the other moms send in.</p> <p>Another point to consider, how is it going to affect your commute. We chose a center close to my office as opposed to close to our house. It adds almost 45 minutes to my commute - get off high way, go 15 minutes to daycare, 10 minutes dropping off, 15 minutes to double back and get to office. I toured at lunch time when there was no traffic, i had no idea how different it would be at 7:30am and 5pm. Also who will be doing drop offs and pick ups? if i'm sick and dont go to work baby must stay home with me. just some things to ponder if distance is a factor </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884706 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:30:17 +0000 Kbee 1884706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: @Ginabean3: @NovBaby1112: @Stacy: @Anagram: @catlady: Thank you to everyone for your advice! It's been so helpful reading all of your suggestions.</p> <p>@SeptMomma12: Thank you! I also am leaning towards feeling like it would be good to have control over the food, although I will say the menus at the other places looked very healthy anyways. I can definitely manage leftovers and freezing items in advance!</p> <p>@StrawberryBee: What a great list of suggestions. thank you!</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: @swurlygurl: @Mamaof2: @hummusgirl: Yes, I do think that peace of mind and a warm environment seems invaluable right now!</p> <p>@tlynne: I'm glad to hear it's not too time consuming. And what a sweet thing for your son to say!</p> <p>@KayKay: 3 whole muffins?! Ah, the sugar! I agree that it will be nice having a little more control over what he eats. Wouldn't be a deal breaker, but it's an advantage to #1 for sure. </p> <p>@PurplePeony: The deposit will secure our spot, guaranteed. But we toured over a week ago, and someone else could put down a deposit in the mean time and take that spot instead of us. So we have to decide quickly!</p> <p>DH seems to like #2 just as much as #1, and he loves that they provide food, so we're not exactly on the same page. But, he'd be okay with #1 too.</p> <p>THANK YOU all!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884533 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:50:13 +0000 KayKay 1884533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>#1! Gut feeling and how you like the staff would be most important.</p> <p>My LOs daycare did provide food, but until they move to the toddler room, most parents bring their own since they can control better based on foods their kid has had, reactions, etc. Having the daycare provide food after that was both blessing &amp; curse: a bit less $$ (although not as much as you'd think), didn't have any extra prep time for us, and sometimes she ate better there because everyone else was eating the same things. Downside was that I didn't always love what they served or have any control over how they fed her (e.g., the day they let her eat 3 whole blueberry muffins for breakfast...). So I think either way you'll end up happy with that part...and if not, you can always switch later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884372 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:34:24 +0000 tlynne 1884372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go for #1. Always go for peace of mind. Keep in mind that even if food is provided, it might not be what you would like to have your child eating (whether or not he/she has allergies). It's really not expensive or time consuming to pack a quick lunch. We usually pack his lunch in 3-5 minutes right before leaving the house. We normally use leftovers; today he has a little bit of leftover rice, some left over, cut-up chicken, mashed avocado, peas, and pears. There are also some great go-to lunch ideas all over the blog!</p> <p>As a side note: my son has said that each day, when he opens his lunch, it reminds him that we love him and want him to be happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884329 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:13:17 +0000 hummusgirl 1884329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kbee: As someone who just posted a thread about switching preschools for my 2 year old three weeks after starting, basically because of unfriendliness issues, I'd strongly suggest #1. I haven't found making lunch to be all that time consuming - we just throw random things/leftovers together in a Planetbox (which was $$ but worth it) thanks to a HB recommendation. Having a warm, caring environment is so so so important. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884291 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:59:31 +0000 catlady 1884291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely go with #1 if you can swing it. We had a similar set of options, where one daycare just felt like a better fit, and I have never regretted choosing that one over the other one (which had more of a cold, institutional feel). Your baby won't need any food for the first few months anyway, and you can always switch daycares later on once he or she is older. Plus as others have mentioned, you can't predict if you will end up with a baby who has food sensitivities or pickiness. Our daycare provides snacks, but we have to send all our own food anyway due to MSPI. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884267 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:49:56 +0000 PurplePeony 1884267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like #1 is the best option but I don't understand what you mean by "This place requires a deposit of one month's tuition to secure our June spot (and that spot could go at any time!)" If you pay to hold it, it's still not guaranteed? That would be a big deal for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884265 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:49:31 +0000 Anagram 1884265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO goes to a daycare with food, but she has a dairy/soy intolerance so I still have to pack breakfast, 2 snacks, milk straw cup, water straw cup, and lunch each day.</p> <p>I'm not going to lie, it's a beating. And washing all the cups and bowls each night isn't fun either. I also can't really give her any convenience foods like yogurt, cheesesticks, or bought meatballs since they all have either dairy or soy--i have to make it myself.</p> <p>But even so, after you get into a groove, it's manageable. But I 100% plan to let her eat the daycare food as soon as her intolerance shows that it's gone away. Even though the food from home is usually more healthy, it's worth it to me to save my time every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884234 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:38:15 +0000 Canoli 1884234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just a thought, if you a child like mine who is very picky with eating having food available that he/she may not like wouldn't be helpful and you would have to buy food anyways..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884168 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:05:02 +0000 NovBaby1112 1884168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with #1. As easy as it is to not have to deal with food/prep, I think it could be manageable if you plan ahead and get easy to make things. I wouldn't let that no food deter me if that was my gut feeling and where I really wanted to send my LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884120 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:48:45 +0000 Mamaof2 1884120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kbee: I would go with #1 then for sure! When I was looking at DCP for my 1st I ended up at the most expensive option BUT I loved it there and felt that my child would be well taken care of - it was worth every penny having that peace of mind! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884106 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:41:56 +0000 swurlygurl 1884106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with #1. The prep to make food might be a PITA at first, but you'll quickly get the hang of it and it will just be another thing you do.<br /> Plus, while reading your summaries of each place, you can just tell how much more you like #1, and how much more comfortable you feel about that center (which is invaluable!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884082 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:23:36 +0000 yoursilverlining 1884082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the cost between #1 and #2 are so close; please go with the one that will give you the most peace of mind. That's worth more than $30/month! </p> <p>My daycare provides food so I don't have experience having to prep/bring food everyday, but I would definitely do that for a place I liked more than the others. Besides, if your baby takes formula, you won't even care how much actual food costs since whatever you feed them will be cheaper than formula!! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884069 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:18:43 +0000 Ginabean3 1884069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with #1!!!</p> <p>My LO is not in daycare, but I actually pre-make a lot of her lunch on Sundays because we are often on the go.....doesn't take that much time and I like having control of her food! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884061 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:15:14 +0000 StrawberryBee 1884061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd go with option 1. Remember that your LO may end up with food sensitivities/allergies that would prevent him/her from being able to eat what they offer anyway. I find it fairly easy to put things in her bag for food (but then again, we're only going two half days a week and she gets lunch at home, so... :silly: ). Some food items to consider:</p> <p>1. making turkey meatballs and freezing them (a lb of ground turkey meat goes a long way!)<br /> 2. yogurt cups<br /> 3. fruit: banana, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries (these I still cut up), grapes (cut up)<br /> 4. frozen baby waffles that I thaw that morning in the microwave and cut up (we get one with cookie monster on it. supposed to be organic)<br /> 5. defrosted corn<br /> 6. if peanut butter is allowed, pb toast cut up small is great<br /> 7. rotisserie chicken<br /> 8. leftovers!</p> <p>I guess it also depends on what sort of food they're offering, and if you're picky about what your child should eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884055 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:11:10 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1884055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with your gut (number 1)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884048 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:08:15 +0000 SeptMomma12 1884048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, I would go with #1. Overall feel of the place and the warmth of the teachers would take priority over food. And actually, I like having control over my son's food, so I can make sure it's healthy. I really don't find it very expensive either. Like @Mamaof2 said he mostly gets leftovers from dinner the night before. Or I make big batches of something and freeze it in individual portions. I'd say it takes me about 10 minutes every night to get his food together for the next day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884034 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:04:05 +0000 Kbee 1884034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I actually don't think the food will be very expensive, the cost of tuition between #1 and #2 is almost identical (within $30/month), which is why food added to #1 could put it over the cost of #2. But it's a minimal difference, so not much to worry about. Prep time is an additional concern that other moms have warned me about, and I don't want to underestimate the time I'd spend doing that, but I just don't know because I've never done this before!</p> <p>@skibobrown: Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884025 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:58:04 +0000 skibobrown 1884025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you can swing it financially, I'd say go with #1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884015 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:54:43 +0000 Mamaof2 1884015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why do you think food will be so expensive? We send leftovers usually for our kids lunch - I think its super cheap! If we were to by lunch it would be $6 a day -so $30 a week - no way I spend that much on lunch </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycarepreschool-advice#post-1884009 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:51:23 +0000 Kbee 1884009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH and I are struggling to decide on a daycare and so I am turning here for some advice from those who have been there! We are due in February with our first child, and are trying to decide on a daycare/preschool to begin in June. Here are our choices:</p> <p>1. Our favorite because the people are SO so friendly and welcoming, the teachers seem superb, it's a little smaller of a facility, and it's closest to our house. The downside: they don't provide any food at any age, which will make this one the most expensive option after we factor in cost of food when he begins eating solids (this cost will increase even more as he gets older and eats more). Also, additional prep time each night for food, which we know will probably take longer than we expect. This place requires a deposit of one month's tuition to secure our June spot (and that spot could go at any time!). </p> <p>2. Technically the most expensive tuition, but it includes food, which makes it ever-so-slightly cheaper than #1 option above. We liked this place a lot too, they seemed friendly as well and it seems like there's a great curriculum. Downside: It's a few miles farther than #1, and we stopped in at lunchtime and in the 12-24mo room I noticed they didn't cut up any of the food for them. Each baby had a meatball sub, with two slices of white sub bread that was not cut up! They were just holding it and throwing it on the floor because they didn't know what to do with it. And pretty large pieces of broccoli too. This place has a great reputation so I'm sure it's very safe, and I'm probably being too nit-picky, but I was a little put off by that. They require a 2-week deposit to secure our spot in June.</p> <p>3. This is the cheapest option (cheaper by about $1,600/yr the first year and $3,000/yr during year 2). This is a big cost difference for us, especially during year 2. They provide food, and we have heard that they have a very good reputation in the area and people love it. All new enrollments start in June, regardless of age, but that's perfect for us anyways. Downside: The woman who did our tour seemed like she could care less, she showed us only the infant room, and seemed bothered when I asked if we could see the rest of the facility - she seemed very busy. The infant teachers were on lunch break when we went in, and so we didn't get to meet them. I didn't like that she was not friendly, but my husband called to get more information yesterday and he said the person he talked to was VERY nice, so that made him feel better. They cannot tell us if our spot is secured until early February because current parents have first availability, but the woman he talked to said it's very likely we'd get in, as there are only 5 current parents/siblings to take infant spots, and only 1 other person ahead of us on the wait list. They don't require a deposit. </p> <p>We are just not sure what to do. If I totally went with my gut, I'd choose #1, but it's the most expensive. #3 is the best option for cost, but we aren't guaranteed a spot and won't know until February. At that point it would be too late for a spot at #1 or #2.</p> <p>I apologize for this being so long, but if anyone has made it this far through the post and has some advice for us, please share! We know that perspectives from current parents are very valuable. Thank you!! </p>