So I am preparing to return to work after a half year of staying at home with my 20 month old. I'm struggling to find daycare that I feel great about (definitely my most nerve wracking part about returning to work!) and that is in a convenient location for us.
I have found one lady that I do really like as a provider and fits everything that I want in a daycare provider. However - the catch is she is only available 3 days a week and we need 5. So - I have thought about using her three days a week and finding either another in-home daycare to send him to or a nanny/sitter to come to my home the other 2 days a week. My husband worries this is inconsistent and harder adjustment for our son and thinks we should keep looking. I'm desperate to find a provider I'm excited about.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks all for your feedback - especially nice to hear from the daycare providers out there. I will continue my search as I have a bit of time left and see what can be done. A nanny even for only 2 days a week is a bit out of our budget so I think we will keep looking. THANK YOU!
I think the biggest thing is to have a schedule. If you have to have 2 providers, make it consistent with them, and maybe try to get them to have back to back days if possible. When I took a day off or had a holiday, my DD was fine going back to daycare.
If your child was older it may work but a 20 month old really needs stability and your daycare situation sounds like it woiuld stress your little guy out. It's going to be hard enough for him to adjust to a provider who is not you - if you bring in two, he's not going to know which side is up! I know it sucks but you're just going to have to keep searching. Good luck!
as a provider, I have had kids in this situation. It takes a toll on them. Young kids have difficulty grasping time concepts. It's too much back/forth for them to be able to relax.
You also have to consider that your child will also have to learn the rules & routines for both places. This does create stress on them.
Soooo, my thoughts: do the 3 days, but have a nanny at home.....or find a provider for all 5 days.
My wife and I just went through the same situation, and here was the factoid that helped us the most:
The best daycare we found bragged about their consistency - of 4 teachers/providers. So that on any given day our son would be familiar with 2 or 3, as they rotate days off.
Using two providers that sound like they are providing one-on-one time - is still better and more consistent than the best daycare. That's what we chose.
I can tell you , as a provider, that I have dealt with this with young kids like your and it is pretty difficult. Kids are resilient and all that, but this young stability and security in a routine reassures them. I recommend finding a full time provider, or 2nd best, have someone who comes to your house the other 2 days. At least then hes in his home, etc. A notch down from being home with a parent those days..at least the "at home" part is in place.
For older kids..3.5+ who do preschool a few days a week then maybe a more laid back daycare/playschool environment, thats easier for most, but not all kids, as they are older and can get a grasp on different rules and routines. 20 mos they want sameness, etc.
Best of luck! I know for parents that has to be one of the most difficult things..finding a perfect stranger to care for their precious child. I do what I can to ease that for my clients.
3/2 sounds fine if you cannot find anyone 5 days a week. Kids are pretty
resilient and fall iinto the routine much easier than adults. You do what
works best for your family. He will be fine either way.
If both providers follow the same schedule, he should be ok. It might be nice for him to be home 2 days, if you can find it.
I wouldn't do the 2 providers, personally. Your child will have a hard enough time adjusting to ONE provider that is not mommy, let alone two.
I would not have wanted to do this for my kids when they were younger but we do it now. We use two girls 5 days a week. One girl does 615-845 and the other one does ###-###-####ish. The first one comes to our house and gets everyone up and on the bus. She drops our youngest off at our normal sitter's house until I pick him up for preschool. But my kids are 4, 6, and 8.
I kind of did this... When my girls were older, I picked 2 different preschools bc each offered different positives. It was hard on them... And my oldest is super social so I thought she'd love it. I think a nanny and a daycare is better and probably ok. I just wouldn't do 2 different daycares. We have a nanny and my girls have typically gone to preschool as well so it's kind of the same thing. They were older but then your son is just doing home or daycare vs home, daycare #1 and daycare #2 in a week. And if possible, I'd align the days vs MWF daycare, TTH nanny.
I am open 7 days per week. But many of my mothers have needed week days and weekends. If I only have space on weekends, they are out of luck for the weekdays. I've started many families through the years weekend only and had them come full-time when someone else leaves. It has worked out well for these families and kids.
I understand your husbands concerns. Some kids would be fine, others not so much. Keep trying and try and be ready to try your plan. I'm sure it will work out.
We split DS's time between my parents and the manny. The manny provides care in our home. So far its working out just fine.
Best to you and yours,
F. B.
Have you ever thought about hiring a nanny. Nannies really are quite affordable and many times it's hard to find a daycare that will take a child part-time, without paying a full-time fee. Check out Nannies4hire.com. If you have any questions, please would be happy to answer them for you as well!
Thanks.
C.
http://www.nannies4hire.com
very inconsistent and very hard for your little one to get into a routine of any kind. this is the same kind of thing as grandma coming 2 days a week and taking to sitter the other days. little ones need consistency and that's not it. when he is a lot older that might work but your going to have a hard time right now.
