Stressed About Choosing Daycare, PLEASE Help!

PLEASE share any info you may have on any of the following daycare facilities. I am returning to work in Sept. and we have not made a definite decision about where to send DD. She has a reserved spot in Precious Kids, Massapequa, but it is very much out of the way for DH and me. I am soooooo stressed!!!

Precious Kids (any of their locations)
Tutor Time (Levittown)
Alphabetland (N. Merrick)

If you have any other recommendations that accommodate infants in the Merrick/Belmore/Wantagh area, please share!

Re: Stressed About Choosing Daycare, PLEASE Help!

I can't speak specifally about any of those but I don't think one that is out of the way would work for myself.

Its hard enough getting out of the house w/a child and get to work on time. Plus is there is an accident or bad weather it would just add too much stress for me.

Re: Stressed About Choosing Daycare, PLEASE Help!

I agree with the other poster... When I was choosing a Daycare for Mason I interviewed about 6 or 7 in a 5 mile radius from my office. I've worked at a daycare b4 so I knew what I was looking for... warm staff, friendly,clean, happy children, safe environment, got other recommendations, etc.
I don't know about the ones you're looking into, but if you feel good about it then stay with it. I just wanted to be close so I can come during lunch if needed or gd forbid there's a problem or he's sick I want to get there ASAP. Just my opinion.

Re: Stressed About Choosing Daycare, PLEASE Help!

As was pointed out to me recently- you need a very convenient daycare to where you are during the day.
If anything happens to DC- fever, 2+ runny stools etc- they will be calling you or DH to get DC. You don't want a place too far away.

Now that I'm looking, it's a mix of
~location
~staff
~clean facilities
~educational programs
~price

Re: Stressed About Choosing Daycare, PLEASE Help!

While I completely agree about the convenience factor, if the "best" option is a little out of the way, isn't it worth it to know your child is in the best place? I'm so torn. I want a place closer to my home rather than work so that either my husband or I can do drop-off.

Re: Stressed About Choosing Daycare, PLEASE Help!

I agree its a mix of security, price, overall feel and location...

I am on my 2nd day care and both are betwee work and home b/c that's what we found at the time that worked best for us. Live in Shirley, work in Farmingdale, DC in Ronkonkoma/Sayville area.

Close to home is good b/c if you are sick and want to drop DC off, you can.

Close to work is good b/c you get to spend time w/ dc in the car, you can visit.

Middle is good for us b/c the hours we work and its a nice break to get ready for the day w/o dc and to recover from work w/o dc and then we have time w/ dc.

Depending on how far you work from daycare and what your hours are and the centers hours are - some places closer to our house didn't work b/c we'd be cutting it too close if there was traffic/accident or we had to work late.

HTH...Good Luck.