https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 23:10:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431612 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:20:17 +0000 JenGirl 2431612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all so much for your insights. At this point I think I'm leaning toward the first daycare. My gut was really pulling me towards the second, but I think it's really more because the providers there are much more similar to me, so it's easier to relate to them. But the people at the second daycare seemed really nice and loving, just different and that's okay. I think I just need to put on my big girl panties and go with the better ratio. And cry a bit that we won't have the nice built in care for dates! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431602 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:17:21 +0000 JenGirl 2431602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: That makes sense. I know rules are stricter if you're using previously frozen milk, so they probably have to go by those rules. And I'll need to check with them to be sure we could bring home any bottles that aren't started. At least that way we'd limit the loss per day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431596 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:15:04 +0000 JenGirl 2431596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: This is an excellent point that my husband brought up the other day - that it might be nice to have him in a room with a range of ages so that he can learn from older kids. Definitely a good point to consider. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431588 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:13:16 +0000 JenGirl 2431588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Actually, they said it's fine to change the schedule from day to day and week to week. We can even switch between part time and full time if we want. We just have to give them the schedule of when he'll be there a week ahead of time. And we generally have our schedule more than a month in advance, so that shouldn't be hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431586 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:12:33 +0000 PurplePeony 2431586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: the thing is, daycare doesn't know if the milk is freshly pumped, previously frozen, recycled from the previous day, or whatever. They comply with licensing by requiring you to do certain things, like take the milk home each night, but what you send each day is up to you. So just because a bottle was left over doesn't mean you can't bring it back the following day. To be clear, though, I'm talking about bottles that were never used -- my DD's daycare was also strict about dumping milk that hadn't been eaten within an hour of DD starting the bottle, and I understood that and was fine with it. I'm sure we lost ounces here and there due to that, but I tried not to keep track because it would have made me sad... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431583 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:10:50 +0000 JenGirl 2431583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I've always gone by the kellymom recommendation that previously refrigerated milk that is offered but not used immediately is okay for 1-2 hours. That's what the other daycare does. I just worry because my son is super easily distracted these days and it can be hard to get him to finish a bottle, but then 20 minutes later he's starving! But I'm hoping they'll be able to handle this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431571 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:04:43 +0000 JenGirl 2431571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: Yeah, I'm really starting to see the merits of an in-home provider. We have one friend who loves their in-home person but the location is completely inconvenient, and I literally don't know anyone else who uses an in-home provider. We tried going through the county list of licenses or through Care.com but it's just so overwhelming and I have no idea how to sort people! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2431568 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:03:11 +0000 JenGirl 2431568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: Yeah, the idea of throwing away breastmilk makes my skin crawl! Hell, I wish they'd give it back and we could use it in the bath if we couldn't feed it to him!</p> <p>@PurplePeony: I'm so glad to hear that you were able to work out breastmilk with minimal loss. I know things will happen here and there but I'm going to be totally bummed if we're losing ounces on a daily basis. </p> <p>@daniellemybelle: That's going to be our strategy. He typically eats around 6 oz, so we'll send a bunch of 3 oz bottles to try to minimize waste. It doesn't help that he's been so much more erratic with eating the last several days, but I'm hoping that's just a fluke and he'll get back to his consistent bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430522 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:43:15 +0000 JenGirl 2430522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: Good point about more variable providers if they have more flexible hours!</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: We asked about just letting them know which mornings he would be late and they said no! If we have a doctor's appointment, we have to get a note.</p> <p>@KayKay: I'd thought about still sending him on days that I have off if I want to run errands and that's another reason that the 9 am cut off annoys me - I'd rather keep baby home while he's in a good mood in the morning and then take him to daycare for a few hours in the afternoon to run errands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430454 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:25:17 +0000 looch 2430454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 9-5 job, so for me the ratio in 1 is attractive. But I could see 2 being attractive if I had a flex schedule and needed coverage at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430442 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:21:46 +0000 Eko 2430442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: We were very very lucky in finding our provider. The in-home daycares are listed with the state and their contact information is public. So, I started cold calling and emailing places to see if they had openings. I think we sounded desperate enough because we ended up taking a spot from another family (who was only 4 months pregnant at the time). It was actually one of two options we could choose from at the time since DH and I work long hours. It worked out so well because we absolutely love and trust her. I think with 4 other kids DS gets enough social interaction. I actually like that he isn't grouped with other kids his own age. He picks up a lot from the other older kids. I never ever have some issues that I read about other mamas experience at a larger daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430438 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:20:25 +0000 Adira 2430438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>#1 for sure. Everything about it sounds better to me!</p> <p>As for #2, I suspect those 50 hours aren't nearly as flexible as you might think. They're going to want you to set a schedule for those 50 hours and aren't going to be happy about adapting. They need to stick to their ratios too, so having you drop off your kid late one day and keep them late another day isn't actually something they are going to be okay with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430433 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:19:37 +0000 JoJoGirl 2430433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ratio! They really *should* throw out BF from unfinished bottles AND be strict on sick policies (that protects your LO from getting sick, remember!). Def option 1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430405 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:07:58 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2430405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, usually they enforce the 9 am start time for older kids when they are in a routine and they have to figure out their ratios. Could you maybe talk to daycare #1 and see if you called in by 9 am to let them know your husband would be dropping him off by 11 if that would be acceptable? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430366 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 08:50:10 +0000 KayKay 2430366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jengirl: ratio and convenience would be the deciding factors for me. and i agree with @winniebee: that once you start daycare, the 9am enforced start won't be that big of a deal. when i worked FT with LO1, i would still take her to daycare on days when i had PTO, etc just to have some time to get other things done, appts. Especially since it doesn't sound like it's EVERY day that your DH would have a late start, that wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430285 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 01:30:06 +0000 PurplePeony 2430285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our daycare was strict about breastmilk, too, but honestly it wasn't that much of an issue. No milk was allowed to be left overnight, and I could keep a frozen bag there but if it wasn't used or taken home within 2 weeks, they threw it out. DD was pretty consistent in the amount she drank, so I would make enough bottles plus an extra snaller "snack" bottle in case she needed it. That one was usually left over, so I'd bring it home, top it off, and re-label it for the following day (I usually drew a star on the label and they knew that meant to use that bottle first). For the frozen milk, I'd either bring a new frozen bag every two weeks and have them defrost and use the "expiring" one that day, or I'd take it home and defrost it myself for use the following day. There were only a couple times I lost track and they tossed a bag. </p> <p>Anyway, long answer but I'd go with choice 1. The hours thing would bother me, but ratios are so much more important. Our state ratio for infants is 4:1 and our daycare is NAYEC accredited so they have better ratios than the state requires (3:1 for infants) and it was still complete chaos sometimes. I can't even fathom a 5:1 ratio for infants. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430282 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 01:05:54 +0000 birdofafeather 2430282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I have a variable routine/work schedule so I would go with that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430278 Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:46:34 +0000 daniellemybelle 2430278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely the first one. I think ratios are huge and I also think a strict sick policy can be cumbersome at times, but in the end protects everyone, and more importantly I think it speaks to their professionalism/quality as a center.</p> <p>I don't think needing to be there by 9am is the worst thing because having a consistent routine will help the adjustment process (and I would assume the same caretaker while that may not be the case with a varied schedule at the other place).</p> <p>I would clarify the breast milk situation and find a way to minimize wasted milk. Can you send bottles in different sizes? For example, if he usually drinks between 3 &amp; 5 oz, can you send one 3 oz and one 2 oz bottle for each feeding? That way if he is satisfied with the 3 oz bottle, you are not having the extra 2 oz wasted like they would be with a 5 oz bottle.</p> <p>He sure is a cutie! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430258 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 23:23:55 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2430258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: I actually found that the smaller "class size" of an in-home worked best for my son. Personally, I don't think that more kids = better socialized. Kind of a quality vs quantity thing - but this is just my personal opinion based on my son's experiences... Just my 2 cents :)<br /> Not that you asked me, but I found mine via word of mouth. The other way I was searching for them was through my government county website - they provide a list of all licensed in-home providers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430253 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 23:11:44 +0000 MamaG 2430253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5:1 seems too high for infants. Here it's 4:1 and those teachers had extra arms, I swear. Also, I call crap on "teething fevers". I would expect a limit on fever. Our school is 100.5 and homeward they go for at least 24 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430240 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:31:51 +0000 JenGirl 2430240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: My husband likes the idea of an in home provider. I prefer more kids for greater social interaction at a daycare, but in home definitely has its benefits. I've just find it so hard to find a good one! How did you find yours? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430232 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:25:20 +0000 JenGirl 2430232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I added a poll! And I agree that i loathe the idea of wasting breastmilk!</p> <p>I think it's interesting that most people think that 5:1 is a high ratio (it sounds high to me but I don't work in a daycare!). That's the requirement here and literally every daycare we contacted (about 15) had a 5:1 ratio except our first option. So I thought that was more standard.</p> <p>Also interesting that so many people seem to prefer a more strict rule policy. I think I'm influenced by my best friend's struggles. Her 2 year old went through a 6 month period where he had near constant diarrhea. It was just his gut working some things out and he wasn't contagious, at all (they had a note from the pediatrician stating this) but daycare still sent him home one or more days per week because that was the policy and it was a nightmare.</p> <p>@winniebee: Interesting thought that we may not mind having to get him there by 9 once he's a little older.</p> <p>@dagret: Good thought about holidays! The second is about 15 minutes out of my way, so my husband would do the majority of pick ups/drop offs (convenient for him) and I would just do them when he's working odd hours. And they're both equally inconvenient to the pediatrician's office. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430220 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:08:46 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2430220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430218 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:03:19 +0000 regberadaisy 2430218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First one too for all the reasons listed above, sick policy, ratios, convenient location to home &amp; work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430213 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:59:40 +0000 ElbieKay 2430213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Holy crap the mandated drop-off-by-9am rule plus the milk inflexibility would drive me insane!!! I was a total freak about managing my milk supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430186 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:32:31 +0000 peaches1038 2430186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would choose #1 too. We are starting daycare for my 10 week old in two weeks so I understand the struggle! Our daycare also dictates that all children are there by 10 am and when asked why, they said it had to do with the ratios. They are allowed to come late if they have a doctor appt, but they require a note. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430183 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:29:04 +0000 Bluebonnet 2430183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would pick #1 because of the smaller ratio, stricter policies, and better location. However, I think infants needing to be there by 9am is odd (I've never heard of this before). In preschools they prefer kids to be there for circle time, but its not a "requirement". </p> <p>What would they do if you had a doctors appointment in the morning and needed to drop him off at 10am? I see no difference in that vs DH dropping him off late occasionally. </p> <p>For option #2 - the idea of having 50 hours to spread over a week is very appealing - especially to take advantage for things like date nights. However, there would be more variations in the staff, (there would have to be more shifts of teachers to cover those hours), which isn't as appealing because you'd have to get more people used to LO and his schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430178 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:26:33 +0000 Eko 2430178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally like the sound of option two.<br /> I send LO to an in home daycare where there are 5 kids in ages 3 months to 3 years. It could be a lot different then caring for 5 infants but I like the ratio. DS has been a super social baby and loves all the kids and I don't think our provider cares any less.<br /> The flexible hours has been huge for us. It's nice to have a place that can accommodate your work schedule and if you have the ability to maybe drop off so you and DH can do a lunch date or something sounds like a bonus to me. (DH and I do that on occasion). Also I appreciate that I won't be getting calls to take DS home all the time. I don't have family close and it would be hard for us if we consistently had to take time off. Our daycare is farther from home and near DHs work too. That can be a pain because it makes him responsible for drop offs and pick ups but it works well for our house as my hours are less fixed then his. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430176 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:25:30 +0000 catomd00 2430176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ratio and location! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare#post-2430173 Wed, 20 Jan 2016 21:24:13 +0000 FaithFertility 2430173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First one!<br /> I think the strict rules are for good reasons! The hours are to ensure routine IMO<br /> And the sick policy is great, believe me sick babies are awful<br /> I'd definitely go with option 1 </p>