Tell me your positive stories of Family Day Care

[JLeigh29]

DS had the best experience at FDC! He was very clingy, a little anxious and didn't like groups or loudness, so I knew regular day care wouldn't work for him. We had a great first meeting with our educator, watching while the kids played outside. I could tell by the way she interacted with the other kids there, and by the way they interacted with her, that she was great. Quietly spoken, friendly and confident in her answers (which were basically that she would follow whatever our wishes were). The area was set up well, inside and out. I met another parent in my first week who'd had all her chn there over 7 years and followed her when she moved house. Her other parent (of both the other boys there) raved about her too. She'd regularly buy/change over toys, organised activities based around what the kids liked and have special activities for special occasions.
We had two play dates first, then eased into it with a couple of hours at a time until we were comfortable with whole days....DS used to ask to sleep over, and would sometimes cry when we had to leave! He still talks about and remembers everyone there, 11 months after we moved states.

[dinky]

My Mum was a carer for FDC for years and years!!! I am talking almost all of my childhood and beyond!!! She was amazing, and I met a few of the other carers as well and they were also great! My mum had the same kids for ages. I had one of her kids in my wedding party as a flower girl and this same girl is now godmother to my youngest! I think we added all the kids up and it came to well over 150 kids in the time that she did it. But she always made sure that they were well cared for, they were always given gifts for their birthdays, xmas, and she also baked special treats all the time. They did lots of stuff and all of these kids are now well adjusted adults now, with kids of their own. We had about 40 of them turn up to my Mums funeral, that tells me how much she was loved.
You will know if it will work for you....things changed a lot over the time and they got a bit precious about numbers which was why my Mum stopped, so it was upsetting for her, but trust your instinct!!

[briggsy's girl]

My Mum was a carer for FDC for years and years!!! I am talking almost all of my childhood and beyond!!! She was amazing, and I met a few of the other carers as well and they were also great! My mum had the same kids for ages. I had one of her kids in my wedding party as a flower girl and this same girl is now godmother to my youngest! I think we added all the kids up and it came to well over 150 kids in the time that she did it. But she always made sure that they were well cared for, they were always given gifts for their birthdays, xmas, and she also baked special treats all the time. They did lots of stuff and all of these kids are now well adjusted adults now, with kids of their own. We had about 40 of them turn up to my Mums funeral, that tells me how much she was loved.
You will know if it will work for you....things changed a lot over the time and they got a bit precious about numbers which was why my Mum stopped, so it was upsetting for her, but trust your instinct!!

This is my growing up too (except the funeral but. Mum still going ) Mum did fdc for at least ten years. Quite possibly longer. The kids really were part of our family. One of the kids she had in care was page boy at my brothers wedding, because they really were like family to us. I had a bunch of them at my wedding. Have travelled interstate to visit with the families that moved away etc. I work with some of the ex fdc kids now (and some of the parents) and we still talk about fdc days sometimes! My folks are godparents to one of the kids.

If you gel with the fdc carer it can be awesome! If we had to put dd in care, fdc would be my choice. Interview as many as you need to until you feel the right connection. This is someone that will be your kidlets primary care giver for many hours a day so you need to be comfortable with them. You may find when you interview number three that your doubts ain't number two were unfounded and choose to go back there.


Always remember you can change carer if things don't feel right...

[nothing2lose]

I've seen both ends of the spectrum. My DD had a brilliant carer. Her brothers had two carers from seperate councils that were brought up on criminal charges.

Do your homework (as you are) and never be afraid to ask 'too many' questions. A good carer will understand your apprehensions and be happy to answer any queries you might have.

[Frangipani Lou]

AHH.. thanks everyone. I think I need a thread that talks lots about the emotional side of things too. I'll get that started.