Daycare closing...what to Do - Switch or Consider at Home Provider

I would discuss those concerns with the in-home provider and ask her what she'd do with the kids to teach and entertain them.

When you say inhome daycare ... is it a person who does daycare out of her home or a friend who is helping you out by sitting only your two kids? two totally different things. If she does daycare out of her home she more than likely has a system / routine / schedule that she follows daily. and if she is good will have incorporated into that routine some things like story time, craft time, singing, outdoor play etc. So your sons will not be bored out of their skulls lol. But if it is just a good friend who is doing it to help you out you need to have it clear what you expect up front or you will loose a friend. Some people think plopping the kids in a room full of toys and a tv is a good daycare system. it will not be if your kids have been in a structured daycare center from birth. they will be used to the transition times for each activity of the day and will be bored shortly. good luck.

You know someone who is fantastic, who is willing to come to your home, take your kids to the playground and library and comes with a built in buddy for your boys... this sounds terrific! It's always more relaxing to have someone come to your house than to have to get your kids ready for day care and get yourself to work. Your kids can sleep in, stay home when they don't feel well, play in their own backyard and interact with people in their own neighborhood. Plus, fewer germs and hopefully fewer illnesses than with daycare. I'd certainly give it a chance!

I would choose the inhome provider IF she is willing to do things with the kids. Taking them out to do things, doing things in the house, etc. We had an in home provider and she would bring her son so my daughter had someone to play with. 10 miles, with gas prices as they are can get expensive so that would be a big difference for me.

I agree with the other ladies, in-home is great, if there is structure and she runs it like a business, not just hanging out with the kids. Review your house rules with her so your sons aren't getting mixed messages in their own home (amount of TV/computer time allowed, mealtimes, table manners, cleaning up after themselves age appropriately, in what rooms food is allowed, how much junk food/when, etc.). Brainstorm with her on how to lend structure to the day and decide what the expectations will be. Then review it after the first week to see how it's going. Set up times to circle back periodically as there may be things you'll both want to discuss, but are too tired to at the end of the day to address them.

These are the years for social and emotional development, so playing, exploration and imagination are tops. As the brain develops, your sons will glom onto the academics when they're developmentally ready whether at home or in a formal setting. So, give the home care a try, you can always change your mind later if need be!

Good luck, you're a good Mom for wanting to figure this out!

I took my 2 boys out of daycare 1 1/2 years ago and got a nanny to keep them at our house. They were 1 and 3 at the time. They stayed sick constantly at daycare and I couldn't take it anymore. I found a great girl on Care.com that had experience. She was with us for 8 months. We had an agreement that should could miss 15 days paid whether she was sick or needed a vacation day. We paid her a modest but fair amount of money. But it just did not work out. In those 8 months, she missed 25 days of work due to getting married and being sick. She was not a great disciplinarian but was very kind to them. It WAS convenient. They didn't have a sick child visit to the pediatrician the entire time she was with us. But, they also didn't learn all that they would have if they had been in a structured daycare environment. She also took them to her extended families house a lot. I was not a huge fan of that because I didn't know them so I asked her to keep it to play dates in the park with her SIL. I bought her a zoo membership so she could take them to the zoo whenever she wanted. She took them once. She quit with a 2 day notice stating that she needed to make more money and needed benefits. Needless to say, I was burned by the whole experience. The boys are back in daycare and doing great. The youngest is doing better with listening and acts so much better because of the consistent discipline. It is saving me money too. It's not a convenient route to take them to and from, but worth every mile. I know they are not going to quit on me with 2 days notice. As an aside, she actually called 6 weeks after she quit asking for her job back.
So, my advice is this: Even though she is your friend, have a written and agreed upon contract that includes her salary and vacation days. Have a solid back up plan for those days when she or her child will be sick. Make sure she will care for your children if they are sick as some caregivers do not. Make sure she has first aid/CPR training. Include what kind of notice you will need if she finds another job or needs to quit for any reason.
Maybe you could try it for a while and see how it works out. I would also put them on a few waiting lists just to be on the safe side. Good luck with what ever you decide!

If that person is willing and able to take your kids out to children's events like the playground, storytime, special events, etc, I would go with that. They will get lots of individualized attention, they can still get social interaction, they don't have to rush out of the house so you can get to work on time, you'll save money on gas, etc. They have the rest of their lives to go to school :) I know it's a hard decision and you have to do what is right for your family. Best wishes!

Go with the in-home daycare person that you're friends with. That's what I would do. Why drive 10 additional miles out of the way when you have that fantastic option?