confused with day care...

Having a dilemma.

Visited No. 1 day care centre. Didn't like staff or some things I saw. So that was out.

Visited No. 2 day care centre. Spent two days with them. Loved their structure. But I found they were strict. Example, kids had to line up in straight line to playground, apply their own sunscreen, drink all their water at morning tea before they could leave the table and one child wasn't comforted a lot when crying for Mum for an hour. They did try and distract her though but she was dry reaching and everything. Teachers seemed to do things their way without focusing on the individual child's needs, however, all children seemed fine and well behaved. Centre very clean. They document everything so you know what time your child sleeps through day, what they eat etc. I liked the cleaniness and loved how they were well resourced. DD loved it there and did everything that teachers said.

Visited No. 3 day care centre today. Spent an hour with them. Centre had only been taken over by a large well known child care place for last 4 months. Equipment dirty. Not air conditioned. Director lovely. Staff great. Kids seemed to love staff. This is more a family operated centre. Not many resources for kids. Kids meals not provided for. Kids can eat whenever they like.

Just so confused!

Which one was dd happiest at? She may thrive in the structured centre. I know my girls prefer the structure of where they go, although they don't have to finish their water they line up to move from room to room and go outside. The staff do comfort kids, and cater to their interests though.

Maybe the third place was having a chaotic day, can you go back again?

hi blackrose, i am heading to yet another one tomorrow, i've heard some good things about this one from other people so this will be the 4th, then i'll make the decision! i would love the best for DD. i really think she'd love structure too! she has it at home and my two are very routine. thanks for your reply.

its like trying to fidn the right kinder and school....

My eldest DS spent a year with ABC....and it has done him wonders..I guess you need find a centre that suits you're child.. my eldest needed to get ready for the kinder experience....teaching him to get his own water etc and in the end he can now apply his own sunscreen its great

i wish you alot of luck cause its not easy

I have just done similar thing.

I had 2 centres both recomended by friends.

1st centre is very close to home (still a short drive but on local roads no on and off fwy) A friends son goes here 3 days a week. I go in and look and its an old house been made into a CC it is dark and gloomy, ring front door bell and wait for someone to come from 1 of rooms to answer door. who ever I have seen (dropped in 2 times) or spoken to rang a few times can never answer all questions, "oh will need to ask my sister she is director blah blah" . when asked about orientation ohh can come in when you want if you want, all forms were photocopied and sign on door saying fees increasing to $90 a day!! never got and Oh I love it vibe but when I arrived I did think to myself never been in a CC before to know.

2nd I applied to a different location of same centre but no position for DS2 but his one slightly further away that one i wanted and a friends DS goes to 2 days a week. Centre bright colourful and inviting, receptionist opens door as she sees me at door, friendly informative receptionist and staff, on tour around all staff are happy and chatty, kids all happy, place is very clean. Forms all have nice letterhead and official looking. Orientation dates set out for a day 1 hr with me b day 1 hr without me c day a few hrs without me, starting then on d day. This centre is a longer drive need to get throuh busy peak hr traffic to get onto fwy etc but so worth it as I got a good vibe here.

Good luck its bloody hard to know what is right!!

thanks everyone for your replies. we've settled on the fourth centre. save the best till last! it is excellent and i'm 100% happy with it all. DD loves it also so it's just great all around!