https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:43:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2306067 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:16:25 +0000 snowjewelz 2306067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Drumroll...</p> <p>So I picked the center! There are many good things about the in-home, and the cheaper cost is REALLY appealing, but in the end it came down to the fact that I will worry much less with her at the center with certified teachers, a chain of command, nurses on staff, protocols, policies, etc. That and she can pretty much stay there till Kindergarten. </p> <p>I really appreciate everyone giving me different perspectives to consider! HB never fails to help :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302517 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 15:05:50 +0000 snowjewelz 2302517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Haha I think you are reading my mind... I guess I'm trying to find reasons to stay with the in-home b/c it is cheaper! And I keep thinking if the center option never came up, we'd happily be at the in-home too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302507 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 15:01:36 +0000 daniellemybelle 2302507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like you just like the center better and for that reason I think that's what you should go with. You usually can't lose by following your instincts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302335 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:35:20 +0000 looch 2302335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably choose an in home, but i'd wonder what to do if the provider got sick...is there a backup, is it closed on certain weeks of the year, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302328 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:31:30 +0000 KayKay 2302328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>without a doubt, the center. </p> <p>i think there's a chance that she wouldn't nap great at either place. and i think there's a chance that she'll nap just fine at either place. so i wouldn't make my decision just on napping!</p> <p>things i prefer about a center: if the teacher is sick, it's not my problem to find a back-up. the room(s) that the child spends time in are appropriately age-proofed. standards for cleanliness &amp; care. more opportunities for "extras" like music, art, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302325 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:30:35 +0000 MaryM 2302325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"And some daycares will just be more germy because they aren't as rigid in their standards"</p> <p>I was thinking this. </p> <p>It's policy at the center we went with that every surface and toy the kids touch gets washed every day. If it goes in a mouth, it goes in a bin to be disenfected.</p> <p>Plus, each kid has their own specified crib that gets clean sheets daily. </p> <p> I'm sure some in home centers may do this too, but it doesn't seem as likely in smaller places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302316 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:26:54 +0000 MamaG 2302316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Regarding sickness, I think there are way too many factors. My girls have always been in centers and get lots of colds, but don't miss many days. They are generally not fever prone. Both did have a week long sickness before they were one and both have had HFM (which was nearly a week out of daycare). But aside from those experiences I can probably count up 5 other times that C missed daycare in her first four years.</p> <p>And some daycares will just be more germy because they aren't as rigid in their standards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302300 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:14:20 +0000 snowjewelz 2302300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: I was just telling my mom that! My friend recently had her 1 yr old puke all night long b/c she caught a bug at daycare and 3 out of the 10+ kids stayed healthy :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302298 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:11:11 +0000 erinbaderin 2302298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went with a centre, and before he started/during his transition week I was kicking myself because I thought he'd never nap in a room with all the other babies. I was pleasantly surprised it turned out that he slept great at the daycare. The things that tipped the scale for me at the centre was a) teacher backups - I had a friend who used a home daycare who seemed like she was constantly having to take a day off because the daycare teacher was sick or on vacation or her kids were sick or her parents were sick or blah blah she couldn't watch the kids that day, and b) more kids the same age as my son, which I thought would be better for his socialization. I also like the idea that he can stay at the same place and get to know all the teachers as he grows up, so that by the time he moves into the preschool room he'll already know the teachers because he will have seen them around every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302293 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:06:16 +0000 josina 2302293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to vote in-home because I love our in-home daycare and you need a vote for the other ... but also because your in-home has 2/3 providers and less kids. To me less kids = less germs = less sick time.<br /> The fact that your in-home providers were teachers is also a big positive.<br /> With E our back-up has more kids and he just gets so over-stimulated I actually think he hates it (its the only time he's cried at drop off!). Might be another pro for the smaller in-home.<br /> I think either decision is great though, so go with your gut/ whatever you feel more comfortable with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302170 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:01:14 +0000 snowjewelz 2302170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: that is so true. my friend that had a nanny was often time SO frustrated with the nanny, but then she really had no other option so she couldn't really fire her either. It was awful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302137 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:41:44 +0000 petitenoisette 2302137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like many others I also prefer a center. Other posts have talked about oversight already, and I just think that if there is an issue it's a lot easier dealing with a director who is kind of separate from the individual childcare than an in-home day care provider. It's the same reason why I feel like a nanny would be hard for me, I just think any potential negative interactions would be much more stressful in the smaller setting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302116 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:22:15 +0000 kodybear 2302116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>center! we love our center. i like the structure and accountability they have. and i'm all for less transitions. my daughter doesn't do very well with classroom transitions so it was nice that she at least stayed in the same school with the same friends. for our center, we provide all the food for the infant room but once they are in the 2s class and above, they provide the snacks, we provide just lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302096 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:07:49 +0000 MaryM 2302096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our center says we can bring snacks for our baby if we want to stick to whatever they're eating at home, but they also provide snacks and we can specify what the baby is ready for. Maybe ask for more detail? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302092 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:05:14 +0000 snowjewelz 2302092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: It's weird but the center right now actually tells me to bring our own food. I wonder if it's just for the infant room tho; I should ask! The in-home actually says the provide food, but she kept telling me to bring puree for the baby, and I said my baby doesn't eat puree, but then I'm not sure what they feed the toddlers so I don't want to just say cut up whatever they're eating small for her so I'd probably pack her lunch too there till I have a better idea.</p> <p>Schedule wise a center is absolutely more reliable. My rationale for the in-home is that between me, DH and my mom, it won't be a huge deal if we need to become back up care once in a while. But I actually need to ask the center about this; b/c the in-home says that as long as we give advance notice about vacations, then we don't have to pay. </p> <p>Don't know anyone that uses either. But both places have kids that seem happy there, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302079 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:59:43 +0000 MaryM 2302079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When figuring the cost difference, also be sure to factor in any added costs/work that you'll encounter. </p> <p>For some of the smaller centers, we would have had to provide snacks and food when LO gets bigger. The center takes care of all that for us. </p> <p>How do they handle sick days (for the caretakers)? Holidays? Snow days? Vacation? </p> <p>Most of the centers only close 5 or 6 days a year, so that was helpful. And the caretakers live nearby so they open even when it snows. They have subs and floaters to help out if someone is sick or on vacation. </p> <p>Will the in home center make it more difficult for you schedule wise?</p> <p>Do you know people who have used either place that you can talk to about their experiences? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302065 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:49:12 +0000 snowjewelz 2302065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: It's more or less the same ratio teacher to kids, but of course at the center, it's more kids and more teachers. At the in-home, it's 2 full time teachers and one part-time, since no all kids are all full time. Uggh, Cannot decide at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302064 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:49:10 +0000 juli7 2302064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of the things that convinced us to go with a home daycare is that there was a separate room for the babies to nap. There is no way my DD could have napped in a crib in a room with the lights on and other kids playing. I also love the more intimate environment for an infant, and that they are more flexible than a center. </p> <p>I don't think you can go wrong...just go with your gut. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302063 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:49:10 +0000 wrkbrk 2302063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would - and am - choosing a center for DS when it's time. I just like the accountability as well as the extras he will be offered that we dont have at home (and that most in-homes just dont have either). That's primarily why we in the end decided not to do a nanny. The schools can just be so nice with their healthy meals, social interaction, structured days, and hundreds of different activities! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302061 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:45:01 +0000 Freckles 2302061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: how many infants are in the room (daycare)?</p> <p>I would go with the in-home daycare until 18 months and then transition her over to the centre. I think it helps that your DH knows one of the teachers. How big is it and what is the ratio like? Those should also be things to take into consideration. If the ratio is higher jn the in-home, then I would lean towards the centre.</p> <p>I will always prefer the centre over in-home except in cases where we know the person. My friends have had great experiences with day homes (they were friends with the owner) and transitioned them over to a centre when the kids were older and needed more structure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302048 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:28:25 +0000 snowjewelz 2302048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: She will stay in the infant room till she is 18 mo and move onto toddler. So right now there are def still multiple naps happening in the room that she'd be in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302041 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:26:14 +0000 Smurfette 2302041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Center's make me feel more comfortable </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302034 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:21:44 +0000 MamaG 2302034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is the class structure at the center? Meaning how long would they expect her to be in the infant room? When would she change rooms to where they nap at one set time during the day?</p> <p>I know the nap situation is important to you. I'd also ask the center what seems to be the norm for napping in their current infants? For K most of the 6-12 month babies (older infants) are doing one nap. I know it's early for one nap, but it means that the room is mostly quiet because they are mostly napping together. And they are generally getting one long nap rather than two crap ones.</p> <p>My kids are center kids and it's worked well for us, so my bias bleeds through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302030 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:19:16 +0000 BandDmommy 2302030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always opted for a center. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302029 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:18:35 +0000 snowjewelz 2302029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wonderstruck: @Truth Bombs: Thanks! Yeah, that's why now everything is up the air again, b/c I think deep down I prefer a center too, but they were always so pricey and for the cost of the in-home I was willing to overlook the stuff that's missing I guess... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302025 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:17:16 +0000 snowjewelz 2302025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: Yes, this! I totally forgot about this. I completely agree. I do feel safer with a center knowing there are other people, a chain of command, etc. The only reason we were happy with the in-home is b/c DH knows one of them, but that's pretty much the only connection </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302024 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:17:03 +0000 lawbee11 2302024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Center for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302022 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:16:17 +0000 snowjewelz 2302022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I am just so worried she won't sleep. For me the in-home was a win, b/c they could easily put her in a pnp somewhere else away from kids and I was hoping that might help her nap. For centers, I know they are all just in the room so the probability of her not napping is even higher. But then the director said the teachers will gladly hold/rock her too, so now I don't know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302017 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:15:19 +0000 snowjewelz 2302017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: oh no they do. for me a bonus for the in-home is she could sleep somewhere else quiet if she needed. but the center, the teachers will also hold, so that's ok for me too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-daycare-to-choose#post-2302014 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:15:01 +0000 wonderstruck 2302014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer having my kids in a daycare center. I actually don't really like having naps in separate rooms and stuff at in-home places. Maybe that's weird, but with so many kids I just prefer that they have them physically in sight at all times. I also don't have a backup sitter, which seems more necessary with an in-home in case the the caregiver or her kids (if she has them) are sick. And generally I'm just someone who prefers more structure, separate spaces/activities for separate age groups, didn't want the extra preschool transition, etc. Really it's just all your personal preference. </p> <p>Oh, and as far as naps go, the beginning was tough. But before I knew it I had a kid who could sleep through all kinds of noise, which definitely comes in handy! </p>