Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

I'm researching PT daycare as a back up plan if my mom can't handle watching DS full time.

Which do you think is the better daycare?

A. ok daycare in the same bldg that you work so you could visit DC during lunch and during little breaks throughout the day

B. better daycare with better facilities and curriculum but is slightly out of your way and you would never be able to visit DC during the day while you are at work

Money isn't really a deciding factor but the daycare in my office bldg is more expensive but also has a better infant to faculty ratio.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

With this info, I'd say definitely B for me...better curriculum & facilities.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

B. - better daycare hands down

I would much rather have the slight inconvenience and know he is in a great program with wonderful teachers than second guess who I am leaving him with. Once you are in the routine, the inconvenience of drop off isn't that bad. For me, the stressful part is actually leaving the house!

In my situation, I am about a mile away from daycare and if I wanted to go visit at lunch I could. I NEVER go. Once I enter the room, DS knows it's time to go home. If I dropped him off in the morning, then went at lunch and tried to leave, I can't begin to imagine the meltdown that would occur in my wake. I can't do that to DS or the teachers. So for us, having it in the same building wouldn't really be that big of a deal, other than the dropoff times. I know this might change when he gets older, but I think I would still choose the better program.

ETA: My DS did not start daycare until he was almost 11 months. If daycare A has a better faculty ratio, that would be important. However, our wait time to get into our daycare was so long, I would consider whether or not you would want to switch once your DC is a little older and how difficult that might be.

Message edited 6/11/2009 11:54:25 AM.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

it depends.. why makes daycare A inferior? Is it dirty? Are the staff not as caring, professional?
If it's just less fancy than daycare B like technology, equipment wise, I would chose A, so I can go see my baby whenever I want. And when DC gets a bit older, switch to the higher tech daycare for learning purposes.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

What specifically makes A just OK?

My gut says A. For an infant, I would say that better infant:faculty ratio is very nice to have. While curriculum is important, I don't think it would be a deciding factor for my infant who is only going there PT. Also, I think I read a previous post from you about BF, daycare A would give you the opportunity to feed her if planned to continue once you went back to work.

Message edited 6/11/2009 11:45:17 AM.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

Since your child is less than a year, the curriculum would mean ZERO to me. As long as the place in the building is safe, I would prefer the option of visiting.

When the baby is older (say 2) - then I would become more concerned with curriculum.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

B

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

b

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

Message edited 6/11/2009 12:03:42 PM.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

you mention that the infant to staff ratio is better at the one in your building. what makes daycare B so much better.

i think if thats the case I would go with the one in the building just so i can see the kid during the day.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

I choose B. Also keep in mind that once DC is past a certain age, you very well might not be able to go visit them during the day. Once DD was about 10 or 11 months old, she would cry when I would leave daycare in the morning, or during a daytime visit.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

B. No question about it.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

Apathetic teachers is a problem for me. I say B. Curriculum is very important, especially as the get into toddlerhood.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

definitely B. we are in a similar situation actually and I will drive out of my way to pick up the kids at the best daycare, as opposed to having a very convenient one that I'm not crazy about.

Also, I don't think that visiting often during the day is a good idea from my experience.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

For the reasons you stated, I would choose option B. Even if it's a little out of the way.

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

B

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?

Re: Which do you think is better - having an inferior daycare in the bldg that you work at or a better daycare that isn't in your building and a little out of your way?