Child Care? Better near Work or near Home?

This advice is a bit late, but you should find a daycare close to home.
1) You working at that location isn't guaranteed and changing jobs could mean having to find another day care.
2) You can't be sure that your child would like the longer commute. Mine absolutely hated any car trip until she was in a front-facing car seat. Do you want a 30-40 minute commute with a screaming baby twice a day?
3) Bad weather. I'd prefer to have the child safe at day care while I spent 2 hours on those icy/snowy roads home. At least if my car breaks down or I'm in a wreck, I'm not having to take her out in the elements.
4) Choices for day care will be better in the suburbs than trying to find one downtown. More selection and better quality!
5) On the days you have a dr appt for yourself or have the day off for holiday shopping, do you want to do the commute just to take kiddie into day care?

Hope this helps!

J. Rogers
Live in Olathe, work Crown Center, have 4 1/2-year old daughter.

R.,

I think it's best to find a daycare that you like first and then decide. Your decision may just be base on the daycare you select.

I live in Lenexa and work near downtown too. I couldn't find any quality daycare in the downtown area that I like. I suggest you look into daycare now because the few good ones have a waiting list and/or give priority to siblings. Personally, I find it best to have daycare near your home than near work for several reasons:
1) I'd rather have my child in a daycare for an extra hour or so and be a little safer than chauffeur her around for 20-30 minutes as auto accidents in vehicles are more common and dangerous than accidents in a daycare setting, especially those raining/icy/snowy days.
2) You don't want your child to be spitting up, crying, or uncomfortable in the car for 5 minutes, so a 20-30 minute ride will be very difficult.
3) It's true that your child will spend less time in a daycare if it's near work but the extra time you will have is while you are driving and your child is sitting alone in the back...not that much better.
4) Regarding pediatricians - it is unlikely that you will have to go to the pediatrician or ER that often (let's hope). Aside from the routine visits (2 weeks, 2 mos, 3 mos, 6 mos, 9 mos 12 mos 18 mos etc), you will not likely take your child for an unscheduled visit that much to be use as a reason to decide where daycare should be. If it's such an emergency to have your child rush to the doctor, the daycare will have likely take care of that before you arrive. Otherwise, it will just be a "walking in" visit to the doctors vs. a true emergency. Also, if you haven't selected a pediatrician yet, I suggest you select one near your home so it won't be a concern. I suggest providers from Johnson County Pediatrics in Shawnee Mission. Ours is Dr. Winburn and we just love her.

Good luck.

L.

Hi R.,
I am kind of the same dilemma as far as figuring out what to do with my daughter (getting ready to go back to work after being home with her for 2 years--looking for daycare myself), but as far as pedicatricians, I too would recommend Pediatric Partners at Overland Park Regional. We see either Jeffrey Yannette or Dr. Mellick (can't remember her first name). Good luck!
C.

For me I was lucky enough to find an in-home daycare for my son that was about halfway between work and home. It worked out great for me because if I needed to leave to get him for any reason it was close. I would agree that the most important factor in making your decision should be finding a place you are comfortable with, not just the location. As far as Pediatrician's I love Pediatric Partners at Overland Park Regional. Dr. Jeffery Yanette is wonderful, as well as the other doctors. Good luck on your search!!!!

Either way has it's benefits. I would just work on finding a place that you feel the most comfortable taking your baby. I am not sure how many good daycares there are in the downtown area verses Shawnee. As far as doctor's go I would go with someone that you have good references about. That is more important than where they are located.

I looked close to my work and also close to home. We ended up with someone closer to home but also on the way home from my husband's work and not too far out of the way for me going to work.

Good luck. Finding daycare was one of the most stressful things I thought.

I really prefer my children to be close to work. Sometimes my school age daughter wants me to go to lunch with her, or I need to take my infant more diapers or she gets sick and it's just nice to be able to just go get them in a hurry. I finally found something a little in between both home and work, so that's nice but I would recommend getting something close to work.

I think it really is a matter of personal preference. I think I would prefer near my work initially. With a young baby knowing they are closer would make me feel more secure. However, as a toddler or a talking little one it might be nice to be able to prepare yourself with a drive to get them to get out your stresses before getting them. Mine have always been with me as I worked at a childcare center before staying home. As far as the pediatrician, asking your OB is a great place to start, or friends with young children you trust. I like Johnson County Pediatrics. They have a sick clinic as well as the ability to schedule appointments and they are open on Saturday. The nurses seem steady it is conveniently located near Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Best of luck R.!

My 2 cents is if you have the baby near home, either of you can drop off or pick up. I also think you'll have more options in your area than you will downtown. You could start your day with the appointments when needed, or end it with them to save time. Most likely your ped will be close to home as well.
Good Luck!

Hi R.,
Just wanted to let you know there's a new daycare opening up on Johnson Drive, just about 1/2 block from Nieman Road. It's called Tender Heart Daycare & it's right next to the Doll Cradle. Don't know if this helps.

And, in response to your question on which is better...for me, that depended on who was picking up the kid(s) and what the rates were.

We (my daughter, her 2 little ones, & I) moved to Shawnee last year & she's sort of in the same boat. I'm babysitting a lot, and frankly, I thought I was out of the loop, what with having already raised my own kids...who knew! :)

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

K.

I work downtown and both of my boys are in an in home daycare in Shawnee close to my home. I've found that it works out pretty well. I just schedule appointments for late in the day or first thing in the morning (our doctors are in Shawnee too). I used to bring my sons downtown but they hate the rush hour drives (especially as infants - dangerous too). If there is an emergency (and it's not 5:00pm) I can get from downtown to Shawnee in 15 to 20 minutes if necessary. I've never had any problems and prefer my kid’s daycare be close to home. Good luck with your decision.