Daycare anxiety!

Hi everyone,

i have been researching some center in the Merrick area for my 11 month old to start in July.

i have no visited any yet. i am trying to shorten my list and visit a couple. any suggestions on the following would be great.

above all daycare
precious kids II or North Merrick
TLC merrick
Childrens Nest-i want to see this one sounds like what i think i want

i worry so much about leaving her and feel guilty does this feeling go away. i know it will benefit her but im just so worried.

thank from a worried mommy

Daycare anxiety!

My daughter goes to Children's Nest but in the Wantagh location and we love love love it. My dd started at 4 months and I know how hard it is--I cried all day the first day dropping her off but it is honestly the best decision we ever made it. The teachers are amazing and she is thriving. She literally jumps into the teacher's arms.
Feel free to fm me with any questions.

Message edited 3/10/2015 10:06:35 AM.

Daycare anxiety!

We're in Massapequa, we go to Tutor Time. DS is now 4 months old and has been there since he was just over 2. He loves daycare. I cried the first day, but honestly, I have been so busy here at work, I haven't had time to really feel guilty. I can tell you that he is doing amazing. He's incredibly strong, eats like a horse (like seriously, I tried one day to give him less and he wouldn't have any of it). Does he get sick? Yes, but you know what? His immune system is going to be kick a$$ later on. He's very well adjusted, and at just shy of 3 months he started STTN (sleeps anywhere from 9-11 hours a night). That confuses daycare because he doesn't want to sleep during the day, lol, so they're like he doesn't want to nap! Your DC will be awesome, and daycare will be great for DC!

Daycare anxiety!

I can't comment on those daycares as I live further east but daycare has been by far the best thing ever for my child. He would never have learned the things he did if he was just home with me or family. He learns from the teachers but so much more from the other kids. Whenever he gets moved to the next room and is around older kids his words explode and he learns so many new things. He is a social kid because of being in a school setting so early. He started at 8 weeks.

As for feeling guilty.....that feeling will stay around as long as you let it.

Re: Daycare anxiety!

I know it's hard. My 8.5 month old has been in daycare since 12 weeks! But he is doing well :)

My son goes to Precious Kids Too in Merrick by the train. I'm not familiar with the one on Jerulaseum. I also visited Children's Nest and Rose Garden when I was searching for a daycare. I know it's a lot of time, but if you aren't too restricted by geographical area check out as many as you want. We limited ourselves to 3 and luckily found a place we liked. But I would have continued my search if not. Also, I work in Queens and my husband takes the train so we wanted to stay in a certain area to make drop off and pick up more convenient.

Re: Daycare anxiety!

I have no advice on those daycares as I do not live in the area, but I will say my DS has been in daycare since 4 months and I feel like he is thriving because of it. At just 10 months old, he LOVES playing with the other kids. I actually feel bad on the weekends since he only has my DH and myself to hang out with! I also feel like they really encourage his development with his motor skills as they are always doing exercises with him.

Re: Daycare anxiety!

I had such anxiety about this with my son. I mean, it was really bad. I used to cry, I would be up at nights worrying... this was all before he began. Just the thought of leaving him there. It was absolutely horrifying.

I cannot comment on those locations because I use a place in Smithtown. But, I toured about five different places in my area. For me, touring them was the best thing because it made it abundantly clear which was the better choice, in my case. I am fairly confident you'll feel the same way.

Once I chose and we started it became even more clear I had made the right decision. He enjoyed going. I started to feel better. Then, it got to the point where he loved being there so much that he didn't want to come home!

For me, it was wonderful because all of the guilt, anxiety, fear, and stress melted away.

Yes, there are times where he got sick obviously being with other kids but, he has been going since he was five months old and he is now 18 months and for me, it's been probably about 4/5 times that he's been sick. So, it is not constant. I was worried it would be constant and that being sick would make him miserable. The 4/5 times he wasn't himself until we went to the doc, which was right away, and then he was back to his happy self after the medicine helped and could go back to school. So, it was really a lot better in reality than in my fears.

The activities and the things they do with him - the music, the learning, the outdoors, the stroller walks, the painting, the arts and crafts, the gym time, etc... again, each place is different but my particular place does SO much. I get a monthly book with pictures and projects. It is a delight.

One day, oops, I was driving in the car with my son. It was a Saturday. I cut up the street that the daycare is on as a shortcut to Starbucks.

MISTAKE.

He thought he was going, saw the street, saw the building, and then when we drove by it and didn't pull in... wow. The tears.

I'll never do that again.

Daycare anxiety!

The first day I left dd I sobbed all the way to work furious at my work and my life. She was 5mos and had no idea I was even gone. Now she loves it and has friends and some nights doesn't want to come home! She sings songs and I'm like who taught you that??? Or tells me things that we don't say or didn't teach her! She is learning so much and it's so cute.

On the weekends she begs to go to the gym bc they have a little babysitting room! It's such motivation bc she wants to go so I may as well work out.

Daycare anxiety!

I sobbed every day for a full month after I dropped her off. And sporadically for 6 months after that. She started at 12 weeks and I'm just amazed what she knows.

We toured 3 places and the minute I walked into her daycare we both knew that was the place for her. She loves her teachers, her friends, and learning.

Occasionally she doesn't want me to leave but we do big hugs and kisses and I always let her know I will see her later. Her teachers are super affectionate with her too which helps 100%

Re: Daycare anxiety!

DS attends Children's Nest and LOVES it. In fact, on the car ride home last night he was asking to go back to school. That's how much he loves it. We'll be sending our 12 week old DD there in August, too.

Daycare anxiety!

I used to feel the same way, but from the time DS was 2 1/2 he would tell me that his friends miss him if hes not there, and that they will be sad. Its really cute. Now that he's 3 we call it school so he feels like he has something to do, not just bc mommy works :)