https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 31 May 2026 21:25:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597758 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:16:17 +0000 T-Mom 597758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: my DH is always taking about moving to Sweden... I think he saw a special on PBS where it said it is the "happiest" country in the world...</p> <p>For my day care, the turnover for some of the part time teachers is high and I wish it were more stable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597737 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:11:24 +0000 Freckles 597737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: oops, I listed what I WISH my daycare was like! Their menu is awful...cheese whiz rolls, remember? Hahaha. They also only have a one nap schedule. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597657 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:46:37 +0000 brownie 597657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: it's not bad they just need fat and protein to last that length of time. So some peanut butter in the toast or banana. Carbs get processed so quickly I don't know where they get their long term energy from. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597649 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:44:11 +0000 mediagirl 597649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caffeinated: your daycare makes all of their foods fresh that day? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597644 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:43:02 +0000 irene 597644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: OMG. Toast and banana.... that's what I gave LO for breakfast before sending him off to daycare lol now I feel horrible hahaha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597629 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:37:54 +0000 Mrs. Bee 597629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: I definitely want him to play most of the time, but I definitely wouldn't mind more play focused around say learning to read/write lowercase alphabet and numbers. I feel like now that the majority of the kids are younger, the activities aren't as focused on the bigger kids' abilities as they were last year when almost all the kids were the same age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597616 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:34:08 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 597616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am really pleased with our daycare. The ratios are great and the materials are super appropriate. All the teachers seem to genuinely enjoy spending their day with infants - which is a major factor! I would love it if they could somehow magically nap-train our 5 month old, but I'm pretty sure that can't happen :)</p> <p>I do think about the food factor, since LO will start solids in the next few months. I haven't seen much of what the kids eat at his daycare, but I'm hoping I have the option to send my own choices if I don't like what the kids are getting. Already we've decided to do Baby Led Weaning, so he won't get purees. I don't have the heart to tell his teachers yet - I think they're all excited to spoon feed him!</p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: regarding all the "play" activities, I think that's healthy for Charlie. Academic preschools (which it seems is nearly every preschool) aren't all they're cracked up to be. Play really is a child's work/learning and most kids don't need adult-created activities to grow. (Which I took away as the point of that Slate article; not that preschools aren't useful. Lots of kids from low SES groups do need more adult-led activities, since the adults at home can't/won't give them that exposure.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597609 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:30:49 +0000 LuLu Mom 597609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO isn't eating "big people food" yet but I'm not thrilled by the cereal choices I've heard "do you want captain crunch or fruit loops" um...how about Life or Cherrios? that might be brought up when she starts solids, no need for extra sugar. </p> <p>Otherwise I'm very happy with our daycare, they are loving and caring people who seem to generally love my daughter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597598 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:26:23 +0000 brownie 597598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Morning snack. The kids don't eat between 8 am and 11 am and that is way to long for my little guy.</p> <p>Better food. OMG they feed ONLY carbs for breakfast and no protein. Then don't have a snack. Yesterday was toast and banana and that was breakfast.</p> <p>Staying open just 15 minutes longer. They are a preschool so the close at 4:30 pm and if they were open to 4:45 I could pick him up every day instead of having dad do it.</p> <p>Longer nap time apparently they only nap for an hour for 2 year olds. My little man needs 2 hours.</p> <p>Otherwise, they have been making some very positive changes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597574 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:17:01 +0000 Arden 597574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: "I just think of them as the social democracy utopia!" Haha, me too. My family is so tired of hearing "Well in Northern Europe, they do it THIS way!" every time we get into a discussion about anything related to the social system. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597561 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:12:07 +0000 Smurfette 597561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since we haven't started yet, the only thing I can say is the price. So expensive. And I wish it was by the house and not work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597532 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:06:25 +0000 Mrs. Bee 597532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keiki_mama: i don't know! everyone i know travels, which is what we did too. we'll probably do the same this year and visit my parents then mr. bee's parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597490 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:56:02 +0000 Freckles 597490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, a whole month in August!</p> <p>LO hasn't started daycare yet, and these are my concerns already:</p> <p>1) No processed/high carb/sugary foods. Everything is freshly made.<br /> 2) Separate room for naps and accommodation for each baby's schedules<br /> 3) Stricter sick policies. I'm afraid that she's going to get sick in her first week there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597437 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:41:00 +0000 yoursilverlining 597437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish it was half the price it is!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597427 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:37:20 +0000 keiki_mama 597427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: What do the other parents do when daycare is out for an entire month?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597409 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:33:02 +0000 irene 597409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the dream world:</p> <p>1. There will be NO TRAFFIC going to the daycare in the evening, so I don't have to leave work and pick him up at 4:30pm. We live only 5 minutes away from the daycare but it could take half an hour to get there if traffic is bad, even at 4:30pm. I've tried heading that area on a very bad day and it took 1 hour (that was before LO)</p> <p>2. They would offer to feed the kids dinner. They don't do that now and usually LO eats dinner at around 5:15pm (He goes to bed at 7:15pm). If they offer to feed him dinner there, then I can have an option to go pick him up at 6pm! (daycare closes at 630)</p> <p>3. That they can take care of kids who has a fever, or offer a list of pre-screened emergency care-takers that we can hire to take care of our sick kid at home. </p> <p>4. I wish they would wash the daily dishes for us (3 sippies and 1 lunchbox), and just keep the sippies there for the week.</p> <p>5. Finally, in the dream world, I wish kids there aren't sick all the time! LO contracts every single sickness any kids have there. argh </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597113 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:15:41 +0000 littlek 597113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our daycare offers parents night out once a month, but I feel guilty using it because LO naps so poorly there and he's exhausted when I pick him up at 5:30 p.m. much less later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597098 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:12:27 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 597098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: By dream world, do you mean Sweden? (just kidding, I have no idea if daycare is free in Northern Europe... I just think of them as the social democracy utopia!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597091 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:11:21 +0000 DillonLion 597091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I always wonder what people with non-traditional work schedules do for child care! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597080 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:09:21 +0000 mrbee 597080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: In my dream world, it'd also be free ha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597075 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:08:29 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 597075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Some places I've heard of (like hospital daycares) have that! I think that would be so cool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597072 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:07:57 +0000 autumnlove 597072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want their rooms to be bigger! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597066 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:06:41 +0000 mrbee 597066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish they were open 24/7 and on weekends too, so that a date night didn't cost a fortune in babysitting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597060 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:05:47 +0000 DillonLion 597060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Healthier meals would be great. Right now it is very "lunch room cafeteria" type foods. (Even though LO is not eating yet!)</p> <p>This isn't really the daycare's fault, but they are doing a ton of construction around the area and it is impossible to get to right now. One side is all construction and the other side is lake, so there is only one way to get there and it is through the mess! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597054 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:04:22 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 597054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the mixed age thing is a huge advantage of your daycare. Even though Charlie is the oldest, he's learning so much from teaching! </p> <p>And when that Slate article came out, I was emailing it to everyone I know, but then I started digging into the references in the article and other pre-school research and feel like I have a more nuanced understanding of the pre-school story for middle and upper middle class kids. </p> <p>My take-home was that I wouldn't skip it because it helps us assess their learning styles and figure out the best type of schools to send our ;ittle learners to. I was also very pleased about the classical Montessori results, which are somewhat understated in the Slate article, based on my further reading. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597047 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:02:52 +0000 littlek 597047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: That would be great if they would wash soiled clothes!</p> <p>Find some way to allow babies to nap better. In the infant room the lights are on continously and it's noisy, I think that is what leads to B's poor naps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597036 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:01:14 +0000 mediagirl 597036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I wish they would make you take your shoes off when you come into the classroom. </p> <p>2. I wish they provided healthier meals. She will not be getting daycare-provided meals until I'm ready for that. We actually may move her to a different center after she leaves the baby room due to their food choices. I don't think 1 year old's should be getting sweet cereals, chocolate teddy grahams and pop tarts for breakfast.</p> <p>3. Security. I wish the building was more secure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597026 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:59:00 +0000 winniebee 597026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- I wish they would wash soiled clothing for me.</p> <p>- I wish that morning nap was "lights out" - only the afternoon nap (at 1) is lights out. As such, my son takes a crappy morning nap every day.</p> <p>- I wish they spoke better English (primarily Spanish speaking) which I do like, but sometimes we have communication issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-want-to-change-about-your-daycare#post-597018 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:56:35 +0000 Mrs. Bee 597018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do love our daycare as the two women who run it are excellent caretakers that we trust implicitly. But in an ideal world, I'd like to make the following changes:</p> <p>- Open holidays and summers! They are closed for every holiday and a month in August. This is pretty sucky.</p> <p>- More focus on learning (reading, writing, etc.). It is a daycare and not a preschool, so the activities are much more play based. Almost all of Charlie's friends from last year went on to preschools, but we kept him there because we wanted him there when Olive started.</p> <p>- More older kids/less younger kids. Charlie used to be one of the youngest kids last year, and now he's one of the two oldest. I like mixed age classes because Charlie does learn by teaching younger kids (he often teaches yoga!). But he is the most verbal at his daycare now, and I do like him having some older kids that he can learn from as well.</p> <p>- Organic meals provided. I'm actually not sure about this one because while it would be a huge cost savings and time saver, I know they would serve gluten and we're almost completely gluten-free. </p> <p>I guess all those things don't really matter since preschool doesn't really matter according to that Slate article we featured yesterday. But I just know that he is capable of learning so much if given the chance. </p> <p>What would you change about your daycare? </p>