independent VS ABC Centres

[AmandaJ]

My 4 yr old DS goes to a ABC and it is great and I plan on sending my 3yr old DS there next year, I agree with Melanie, it's the staff that make the centre what it is.

I'm friends with my DS group leader and she was telling me that her buget for the prep room was only $10 a month and she buys alot of stuff from her own pocket for the kids, like reading books and handwriting material.

I'd go with your gut, even just have a look at the ABC centre and watch how the carers are with the kids and then make your decision.

hugs xoxo

[Mother Goose]

I agree that a centre is only as good as the staff...

My DD goes to an ABC Centre and I can not sing their praises loud enough. From the day I enrolled DD, they have been terriffic. They were fantastic with orientation and encouraged me to attend a couple of times so I could get to know them and so they could get to know DD. They have been terriffic with DD and her ongoing colds.
My DH goes away a several times a year with work. He has been away a couple of times since DD started Child Care in July and the girls always give her extra attention to compensate for Daddy being away (and don't mind that she gets a little upset becuse she misses Daddy). The centre was also fantastic when I was in hospital (I've been in a couple of times since she started child care - once was an emergency trip where I spent a length of time in and DD hardly got to see me). They girls gave her a lot of extra attention and care in my absence.
DH always complains because when I drop DD off or pick her up because the carers and I spend so much time chatting - they really care about DD and have bonded with her far more than I could have expected or imagined. And DD has bonded with them. She understands when I say "Today is an Oni and Meldy Day" and she smiles and laughs. She puts her arms out for the girls at the centre because she wants to go to them, she is so happy there. I feel and believe my daughter is safe in their care and is being looked after and her development (physically, emotionally, mentally) is being moulded just as it would be at home. And the girls are always looking out for her. I really can't sing their praises loud enough.

Incidently, the centre is also slightly cheaper than all the other centres in my area AND they provide more things than other centres (as in provide all nappies except the one I send her in and one to come home in, and all food with the exception of EBM or formula).


HTH

MG