Hey girlies, Alison, I am glad she is doing a bit better....I think the change in weather has to do with it too - you guys are going into winter soon, no? There is just nothing to do about getting sick - it either happens in daycare or she will get it all in playgroup or preschool or whatever. Singing in italian...sounds useless lolololol - wierd they would teach kids that in daycare...lololololol - I think 5000 a year is pretty reasonable actualy But it all depends on what you are used to...In nyc good daycares start at 1000 a MONTH! I pay 500€ a month here so like around 700AUS dollars (and in sept that is going up to 600 for everyone), and that is reasonable pricing! So it is all relative, I guess...Daycare has a lot more equipement and insurance and feedings to pay for, so I am willing to pay as long as I am happy and Eva is happy! It is such a reliefe to not stress where your child is during the day!

Tilda, glad you decided to pull out of that care situation - sounds like it is not for her....

As for montessori - I looked into it for Eva, it is great I think during the early years but I would not leave her in until preschool, just daycare until like 3 or 4 max....It is individual oriented, but for MAtilda, that might be amazing....the transition might be easier than trying to fit into a schedule - Amelia was always so great with schedules, so maybe she is just easier in that regard....Eva's daycare is also individual oriented until 3 years where there is structure and mealtimes - for the first year they nap eat and play when they feel and now they only have imposed nap and meal time and random activities (like going outside or events in the school) otherwise the kids do what they want. I appreciate the fact that the structure was introduced slowly. Tilda, Montessori, from what I heard is really great for individual development, but then sometimes it is harder for the children to assimilate to "disciplined schedules" when real school starts....or if they stay through until college or whatever they have a really hard time buckling down for that...Personally, I think it is a great program for young years but I would prob not leave Eva in for school....go and see, only you know your child, and you can feel it if something is wrong. The resources in a bigger center will just be much more varied and she will have more toys activities and diff people around. You know what is best for her...As for it being pretentious...I don't know - In NYC it is just seen as a sort of alternative to regular schooling and my best friend's borther has his son in daycare there and is super happy. He feels like they really encourage his individuality and the things he likes, and they never complain about him (which is what I did not like about that other carer)...They call him the "loudest singer in the group", not "the screamer" for example

Good luck - it is a hard decision....

I've been having some night sleep issues with Eva - she has a tooth coming in as well as the cold/conjunctivitis she had the past week - she falls asleep exhausted after no napping then gets up systematically around 12/1 screaming for ELMO! She loves sesame street so much and does not want to go back to bed. I don't allow her to go watch TV or this will never end but this has really put me in a state....I worry she watches too much TV now, I worry she is having nightmares (but from sesame street?) - she only watches baby einstein or sesame street and once a day at most (and not even every day).....I hope this is just because of her teething but for the mo I have decided to not let her watch anymore TV except for one video a day on the WE (about 30min). How much TV are your kids watching?

Anyone else having this waking screaming for TV or play? I have not had this happen since a long time and don't know what the issue is - I hope it is just a teething thing and will pass...She just went back to daycare this morning so let's see if she settles back into her sched.

Off to lunch with the ils

xoxoxoxo