I'm going to be a first time mom in July and unfortunately i'll be going back to work. I'm looking for any suggestions on how to start the process of looking for a babysitter or a safe, reliable daycare once I go back to work . So much to plan for, so I want to be prepared : )
Hi J.! Congrats on the pregnancy!! I work as an Area Director in the Hudson/Bergen county area for AuPairCare (live-in childcare, 45 hours/week for $340/week). If you would like more info on the program, feel free to reach out to me- I'd be happy to chat with you about it! Best of luck- A. ###-###-####;____@____.com
We love the Young Day School in Dumont if you live in that area. One question to ask that kind of threw people - how long have your staff been with you. At two places we looked at the staff had on average been with them for at least 3 years. At one place, everyone was less than a year (not good - probably means bad pay/management.) Happy workers are better caregivers is my philosophy. Good luck!
I just wanted to let you know that we checked into a few daycares in our area and we went with Playmate Too in Lodi. Our daughter is 2 1/2 now and she's been there since she was three months old. We are VERY happy with them.
When I was in your position, I first decided which I'd prefer - daycare or babysitter/nanny? I decided daycare would work better for our needs and then asked around for some references as well as just researching on my own. I visited a bunch of daycares (Sara's Preschool, All Saints, ITDC at the Glen School, and one of the larger chains), took tours, asked questions and decided on one whose philosophy best fit with mine. Ultimately, I went with the Infant Toddler Development Center in Ridgewood and we've been happy there ever since! Feel free to write me if you have more questions!
Contact the Bergen County office for Children in Hackensack if you are interested in a home based daycare - they will give you a list of providers - we used one from the list for the first 2 years (she had to get a full time job at that point) and my son was well taken care of there like family.
We used the local center in town at that point until he started kindergarten and were ok with it also.
I had good luck with sittercity.com, although it was quite a process of contacting & interviewing. In the end, I was VERY happy with my choice.
