Daycare Providers

I struggled to find a good daycare before my daughter was born and found it really hard. I didn't find anything I liked and then she was born and it was even harder!
I agree w/ most advice here - you may even want to let everyone know where you are looking in case we know of somewhere...I found my kids' current childcare with a referral from Mamasource and we love it!!
Another option - I had a friend who had a baby and wanted to stay home but couldn't quite afford it so she offered to care for my daughter as well. It was wonderful for us b/c she was in such good hands and great for the other family b/c it allowed my friend to stay home. Not sure if that is an option for you. I had no idea it was an option for me until it happened. Good luck!

I would start by touring a lot of different centers! I would just randomly walk in to centers and go to the office and talk to the director and tour that way! I would do it this way, because then they are not expecting you and it would be more of the way the center is normally run, instead of putting on a show! If that makes any sense to you, I feel like I am rambling! Good Luck!!

I have used in-home daycares and prefer them to facilities.. as mentioned in a message previous about vacation time and sick time and provider needing a break?! i have found a great in-home daycare that in the 2 years my child was there (she's now in school) she had 2 sick days and her vacation was scheduled months in advance, so i could work with it and plan time with my own child. And after a few weeks of being there I could tell she never got frustrated and needed a break, that's why she was in the daycare profession. If they need a break during the day they shouldn't be doing it! She worked with my child like she was her own and my daughter still to this day talks about the kids there and the provider. We loved her. From the moment i dropped her off I didn't worry once all day. I caould call, or stop in at any time and I liked what i saw. The centers to me were too impersonal and dirty.

I think it has a lot to do with just personal opinion. Some parents just want their kids to have fun, some want a more structured environment, some want more of an education and discipline... it all depends on what you are looking for. Also, you have to look at where you live. I don't know where you are at I do have to agree that that New Horizon shouldn't be given a bad name just because someone didn't like them. I had an amazing experience with them. Both my kids loved it there. Everytime I'd drop in even to check on them, they were always doing something and the kids were happy and I didn't hear any crying or anything like that. I however took my kids out of there mostly because of the cost because they are expensive. My kids are now in an in home daycare which I think they love even more. I have an amazing provider whom my children adore and so do all the kids that are there. For me I like for structure, discipline and education. I don't want my kids to just run free and have fun all day and get away with things. The thing about like a center like New Horizon is that you don't have to worry about the kids just sitting in front of a tv. If you ever have a concern you can go back and look at the videos because they have cameras, they have a secured entrance and most everyone that works there has a degree of some sort with children.

It all depends on what you want... go and check the places out, watch them, see how the kids are acting, find out how their turn over is. If you are pretty nervous about putting your baby in daycare then maybe find someone to come into your home.

Congrats on your first baby!!
Yes, start asap looking for daycares. Do you have a Child Care Resource around you, that gives you numbers of avalible daycare providers for infants. Also contacting social services, they should be able to provide you with a list and numbers of licensed Daycares. I would make sure they are licensed through the state, and check thier history by calling thuer licensor. Also ask providers to provide references of past and present families in thier care. Go with your gut, you'll have a feeling if its right or maybe something is alittle off...listen to yourself.
I personally would stay away from centers, I was a college student that toured alot of centers and they seemed under staffed and to many children.
I love in home providers, but you have to be careful and research with them as well.
Good Luck, I hope you find a wonderful provider!

I use to photograph daycare centers. I went to a different one everyday and basically did "school pictures" I am also a parent who has had their child in alot of centers mostly because I was constantly dissatisfied. Whenever I went to a center for work I was nosey and looked around and watched the teacher's interract with the children, I was paying close attention how different centers were run mostly because I was trying to find a good one for my own child. From all of my experiance this is my advise.

Stay as far away from New Horizon as possible (they're absolutely horrible)
Mall of America location saw a child get out of the center noone noticed. Luckily I did!
Eagan location toddler classroom was left unattended for over 10min.
Eagan location have seen children outside with NO adult supervision
Eagan location- on several occasions they "forgot" to feed my daughter breakfast
Eagan location- staff member's left pop cans in grabbing reach of toddlers
I could go on and on... I had absolutely no luck and or any professional responses when I called corporate. If corporate can't get act professional or operate safe centers I wouldn't use any.

Children's World is better but you have to really research the specific center (it's either a hit or miss with them)

Especially for Children I never had a single problem at. My daughter did very well at.

My daughter was also enrolled at a Montessori School at age 2 and did very very well at.

I like centers when you find a good one because they are almost always open except major holidays. If a staff memeber is sick they have a back up and don't close down. There is someone watching the staff to ensure quality care like a boss.Some centers have horrible turn over rates or inadequately trained employees.

If you go to inhome daycares they are more personable and your child will have a second a family and the other kids will be like siblings. The downfall is if the one and only daycare provider is sick the entire daycare closes, they usually take a week or two of paid vacation a year where you will have to find an alternative situation for your child during that time. If the provider is having a bad day there is noone to give her a break and cover her usually.

So 3 great experiances are"
Especially for Children in Eagan (they have other locations)
Early Childhood Montessori in St.Louis Park
and a Home Daycare in Minnetonka I actually worked at but no longer do

Good luck on your search. Just weigh out the pro's and con's and listen to your mommy instincts when making a decision.

I would start looking, and touring centers now, you may have to put your name on a waiting list. We toured about 5 different centers and had our name on a list before we decided to put our son in a different center closer to home. We went with a center because a private sitter can be unreliable and we don't have many family members to ask in a pinch. we asked coworkers about daycares they had their children in and called and arranged tours. Call ahead to have a tour arranged. and even after you have decided on a place drop in and see your baby. I started our son in the center 1 week before I went back to work, for a few hours each day until he was there the whole day. It made it easier for me to get used to other people caring for my child, as our son is our only child.
hope this helps you. D.

Start looking now, because infant spots are super hard to find. www.mnchildcare.org is a great source to start out. You can search by what hours, days, etc. that you need and it gives names, phone numbers, etc. Centers are going to be a lot more expensive than an in home daycare.

Where are you Located?
www.mnchildcare.org is a good resource...also try www.providerschoice.com...this is a USDA facilitated food program for providers and all who belong are licensed. On the left side there is an option to search for childcare in MN...search by city or zip code. In the northern suburbs there is also www.partnersinchildcare.org a local referral service.

You have to ask yourself what you want for your child? Alot of structure and curriculum? Or a play based program that offers some curriculum and structure. Children learn alot thru play...it has value to their lives. It bothers me when people down play that.

I am a licensed childcare provider for 10 years, nanny before that for 8+ years (same family the whole time), and have never done anything but care for children (I would have no clue how to operate a cash register! LOL). I didn't "just" start doing daycare to be home with my own child, it was just a natural progression for me...many start to be home with their own child until their youngest is in school..I have a problem with that scenario, but some make it work just fine.

The biggest downside for parents and home daycare is when the provider takes time off or is just plain sick. Personally, I get 8 paid holidays and 20 PTO days (paid time off for vacation, illness or training opportunities).But I am generally full, with short time frames for vacancies, so I like to believe I am successful.I am a play based program with minimal structured activities...maybe 5-8 hours a week are structured firmly. But all of mine are prepared for school and are well behaved kids.

Anyways, I have alot of my families tell me they had a good "gut" feeling when meeting me and seeing my set up.....so there is value in your gut feelings! If you go with home based....make sure they are licensed....not registered or unlicensed. Licensed programs should have their license posted with the home.

With a center, I would find out if the center has had violations, maybe talk with other parents there if thats possible.

good luck

Hi,

If you are interested in in-home daycare providers, contact your County Community Services for a list of licensed providers in your area. From there you begin calling, interviewing and touring. Good luck!

I contacted the Dakota County Liscensing Center for in-home childcare recommendations. They evaluate people based on visits and parent evaluations. When I did an over the phone interview I evaluated the tone of their voice, if the kids are loud I ask if I should call another time or hope they will tell me to call at a better time, I ask what they charge, how much time off they take, do they take that time the same time each year, do they get paid for my time off or school closings, etc. I just wouln't overwhelm them too much with questions. When you request your list of providers the pack you receive in the mail will include tons of interview questions and who to call for background checks. Call with 1 or 2 names at a time for the checks or they may ask you to do in person interviews first. I don't ask all the questions in their packet. I'd grab what is the most important to you. I thought I found the best person I could but after two years I switched and now I think I found the best. You never really know and as the provider/parent relationship developes you may hear or see things you don't like and if it's bad enough you just leave like we did. Good luck to you. http://services.co.dakota.mn.us/forms/check.htm

There are too many kids and not enough one on one in my opinion at a center and they're are so expensive. I called around IGH and expect $200. For in home in the area it's a rare $100/120 thru average $150 to $160 per week. A nanny is real expensive. I'd consider a center around 3-4 years old but I like where I'm at with the in home.

I know a previous poster told you to avoid all New Horizons. However, I think it is really difficult to make such a blanket statement! My son has been in the New Horizon in downtown St. Paul since he was 5 months old (he is now one). We LOVE it! They are kind, responsible, and genuinely care about my child and his well-being. They have a great curriculum for babies on up and my son is so happy whenever we drop him off.

I'm not recommending all New Horizon's. I just want to put a positive word out there about them in response to the negative one earlier!

Hi C.,
From what I have heard from former employees and friends, for a new baby, an inhome daycare would be a better fit than a center. There's a better ratio, homey atmosphere, mixed age groups like in real life. You can get a list of licensed care providers from your county human services center. Craigslist also has a lot of listings. I'd do a background check on all adults in the home and follow up on personal references.

Best of luck!

M.