Seeking advice: Twonky and daycare

[sigerson]

Today I cold-called about twenty local daycare centers (family and group) to ask about availability in January. While I found out some good information and have a few leads, talking with sen_no_ongaku made me realize: We don't know what we're really looking for in a daycare.


We don't know what things are must-haves, what things are nice-to-have but not essential, what things are entirely irrelevant. Distance from home? Accessibility to T? Flexible hours or strict pickup policies? Number of caretakers? Kinds of toys and activities? Hourly rates? Lots of kids or few kids?

So I'm asking the parents out there who have used daycare: What have been the best things and worst things about the place(s) you've used? What is your sine qua non? What things have you really liked but could live without?

I don't expect consensus, of course, nor do I expect to be wanting the same things--but right now, we don't really know where to start. So, internets: any advice?

Comments

[erbie.livejournal.com]

Gavin de Becker has a great book called Protecting the Gift, which is about keeping kids safe. There's a lot of info in there about choosing a daycare, including hard questions to ask, what to look for as far as answers to the questions, etc. Highly recommended.

For me, the key is how do I feel when I walk in the place? Is this somewhere I could see my child being happy, safe and well taken care of? Or is it a place that just feels off to me. I've felt both. The former, I signed up on the spot and they were great. The latter, we both walked out of there, turned to each other and said "No way." It just felt wrong.

In a center or in-home daycare, look for happy children, clean areas, written policies regarding how infants and toddlers are to be cared for. If you'll be breastfeeding, look for a place that will allow you to come in and breastfeed whenever you want. Any restrictions on when the parents can and can't come in is a dealbreaker. I don't care if it interferes with the nap schedule. No reason is good enough not to allow parents access to their children at any time. They should have a written policy that states that parents are welcome to drop by any time. (Realize, too, that this can make it difficult for caregivers and kids when kids are in their separation anxiety phase, as they will have to say goodbye to you more than once in a day. But the daycare should suck it up and deal, not ever say parents can't come.

If you have particular parenting philosophy, look for a place that accomodates and/or agrees with it. You don't need your caregivers undoing all the work you do in parenting your kids, whether they are more or less gentle in their approach.