https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:36:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-501015 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:24:43 +0000 regberadaisy 501015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: it is all really daunting. To help narrow the list I would call and ask for their pick up/drop off times, tuition rates and whether they are accredited. I think those 3 questions will probably help you eliminate a few!</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-501005 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:19:35 +0000 mrs. wagon 501005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: yayyy!!! So glad that you found a place that you like. I toured ONE place and absolutely loved it, put my deposit down just 2 days later. 1.5 years later we still absolutely love it and can't wait until LMW is old enough to start there (they only take 15 months and up)!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-501001 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:17:04 +0000 lomom 501001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's a huge relief for sure. I was telling DH that I was quitting my job in between heaving sobs after the first day care visit. The first place was so gross and depressing. I'm really glad I popped in to this one. DH is thrilled that they have a webcam feature so he can log in and see that LO is okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500866 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:55:35 +0000 T.H.O.U. 500866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: gla you stopped in!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500729 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:46:46 +0000 keiki_mama 500729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's going to be okay mama! The daycares we were interested in didn't have robust webpages either so we had to schedule a bunch of tours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500722 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:38:56 +0000 ladyfingers 500722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You'll have to do tours, it's super overwhelming until you start narrowing places down.</p> <p>I went on our state's licensing site to get a list of places that were within an acceptable radius of my office (there are zero infant daycares in the town we live in and I work 30 minutes from home). Then I called them each to get prices and ruled out a couple that way. I visited 2 that were gross and weird and then we visited the one we ended up choosing, which was the most expensive one that I wasn't planning on choosing because of price -- I was just going to get a point of comparison! But we fell in love.</p> <p>Don't worry, you'll find a place! You just have the hit the pavement a little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500713 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:34:43 +0000 blackbird 500713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's excellent! </p> <p>You can also call the state and get background info on that particular daycare. If they are licensed, there is info on them...audits/past visits, etc! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500636 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:27:55 +0000 lomom 500636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was headed to the grocery store right after I posted this and I noticed a daycare center in little plaza just before the grocery and it looked open. On a whim, I decided to pull in and check them out. </p> <p>I had to be buzzed in, I was immediately greeted by an employee of the daycare facility, who introduced me to the director. She gave me a tour, gave me basic information and answered all my questions with the answers I'd hoped for (ie, they don't put bottles in the microwave), and was very personable. Her daughter was there and kinda following us and they were super cute together. The director interacted pleasantly with other kids in the center and seemed genuine and friendly. </p> <p>It's amazing, especially considering the other options in town. And for the same price! I was nearly pinching myself to be certain this wasn't a dream. </p> <p>My only reservation is that it is a new facility but they are licensed and the director has several years of experience as a director and the staff has a great deal of experience as well. I read their state inspection results and they did very well. </p> <p>I'm ready to send in a deposit! I am so so so relieved. I can say I'd truly feel comfortable sending my baby there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500488 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:51:27 +0000 yoursilverlining 500488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd call everywhere in your area (website or not) to find out tuition rates and infant/teacher ratios, etc. I would tour every center within your budget - you'll know within about 1 minute of walking into a daycare whether it should stay on your list or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500432 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:51:57 +0000 Smurfette 500432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely go tour the day cares. Websites don't give you a vibe for the place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500383 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:12:59 +0000 lomom 500383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd definitely do a tour before enrolling, but a website gives me an idea of if they're accepting new enrollees, their hours of operation, their location, that sort of thing. I've called three that aren't accepting new enrollees. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500381 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:11:23 +0000 MamaCate 500381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It can be overwhelming and it is a big decision, so the stress is understandable. I agree that visiting is really helpful and if you are trying to get a sennse of what is in your area you might want to try accreditation orgs like the NAEYC. They have a website and you can search by llocation. Our center is accredited through there and i think it makes a difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500376 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:08:06 +0000 prettylizy 500376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>None of the daycares around here have very good websites either. We had to just bite the bullet and do tours of everywhere before we made our decision. I will say that the one I though I'd like based on their measly website turned out to be our least favorite once we did the tours. For me it was all about getting the right feeling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500375 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:07:41 +0000 Andrea 500375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely visit any places of interest rather than relying on websites. It's one of those things where you walk in and can get that "this is the one" feeling. Our daycare is great, but they had no website when I picked them 2 years ago. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-cant-figure-out-this-daycare-stuff#post-500373 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:05:04 +0000 lomom 500373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm just overwhelmed. I want LO somewhere close to home but the centers near home don't have websites, so it's hard to get a feel for the place. I don't know... I'm overwhelmed.</p> <p>Everyone I know with little kiddos has parents/in-laws/relatives that watch their kiddos. My family isn't in town and even if they were, they all work too so that's not an option. I just don't know what to do. </p>