Why we decided to start daycare
My husband and I both work fulltime and for the first year of Cameron's life we had an amazing nanny. Unfortunately, she hurt her hip and so in chaotic race to find a new nanny (plus some challenging experiences we had with temporary nannies) I realized more and more that I wanted to have another childcare option. I also started researching the benefits of early socialization, language development and independence. I found these very important and as he got older wanted him to be around other kids and learn from other amazing teachers.
How we choose our daycare and questions to ask
We started with asking for recommendations on daycares - other parents are sometimes the best referrals. I also would check mom groups and see what daycares they were posting about. The daycare we found we loved that they lead with love, play and very clean and organized. It was also very diverse and Christian based.
Questions to Ask on Tour
What is the student teacher ratio?
What is the cleaning /hand washing policy?
What does the daily schedule look like?
What do you do in case my child gets hurt?
What type of app or communications do I receive as a parent?
Can I drop in anytime?
What is your teaching method? Do you lead with love? Or more discipline and structure? How do you handle times that you may need to discipline a child? How do you handle a child who is crying?
How is potty training handled? How are accidents handled?
How to handle crying at drop offs (and your tears in the car)
If your child is walking, encourage them to walk in while holding their hand instead of carrying them (This sometimes help with the transition)
Talk to them about school a lot at home and playing with friends and their teacher. Show them books/shows about school
Make drop off as quick and efficient as possible. Tell them bye, give them hug and kisses and tell them mommy/daddy will be back soon.
Most children do cry in the beginning especially - or I hear from other moms the first few days they don't cry then they regress and start crying.
I read that crying is natural and even though you feel so terrible as a parent - as the school how your child does once you leave - most times they are fine after you leave.
However if you do notice a lot of changed behavior at home - there may be a sign they are having an extra hard time
Other tips - parent to parent!
Go with your gut! There are going to be pros and cons and no daycare/school is perfect. However, go with your gut with what feels good. There are going to be some situations or things that the daycare does differently then you would at home - be open minded however always speak up if you do not like something you see.
Find a parent friend so you can arrange playdates or ask for insights on situations
Start touring daycares early. The waiting list for good daycares can be quite long.
Be prepared for them (and you....and your entire household) to get sick. There isn't much you can do to prevent this but make sure you have them wash their hands when they come home. Also check out these products to help if they do catch those sniffles.
Have easy to put on shoes and clothes that do you do not care about being ruined.
LABEL EVERYTHING.
Always send extras.
Make drop off quick and reiterate you will be back soon to get them.
Ask teachers details about what went well and didn't go well in their day.
Re-emphasize what they learned in lesson plans at home.
Overall we have had a great experience with daycare with our son and have seen such great development.
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