just my two cents... when shopping for daycares

PLEASE do yourself the favor of NOT visiting and touring at drop off or pick up time.

Those two parts of the day are INSANE and NOT a true representation of what the majority of the day is like.

When I was picking up my kids yesterday at 530pm, I saw a couple with their 2 month old touring the daycare. It was pure insanity. Parents picking up left and right. When you are a parent and that's routine, its normal. When you are already apprehensive and so emotional over making a daycare decision for your infant - it can be traumatic.

Go during the middle of the day when there are activities going on, when the kids are in the middle of their daily routine.

I actually overheard one of the two parents say "this is crazy, we can't do this."

It IS crazy at pickup and drop off, but its controlled crazy and its so important to understand that. That is not how the majority of the day goes at all.

You also cannot possibly get the personal attention and time needed to ask your questions during drop off and pick up.

Just thought I would share that as I know there are always new parents (or old pros) looking at daycares for their children.

Re: just my two cents... when shopping for daycares

I actually felt the opposite about it - I wanted to see what the center was like when it was crazy and the kids were tired/cranky/at the worst. DH and I loved our oldest son's day care provider - we frequently commented about how the older kids were always happily skipping/hopping out the door with their parents at the end of the day because it showed us how happy the little ones were while they were at the center.

Now that I think about it, my DCs were much calmer at daycare than they are at my house at 5pm - haha.

Re: just my two cents... when shopping for daycares

Re: just my two cents... when shopping for daycares

I agree that 5:30 is not a great time. I always wanted to tour while "school" was in session so I would get a good idea of what the day would be like. I specifically took off of work because I thought it was important and then made appointments at a few different places that day. The end of the day is not a good representation of what the day will be like for sure!