Childcare dilemma

[sunshineandme]

We put DS (16mo) in a home-based daycare about a month ago, and so far things have been great. He's well adjusted with the DCP now and is getting to know the other kids there. Meantime, we applied for enrollment to a local college CDC. It has very good reviews, and DH and I really liked the facility and the care givers there. It is however, very pricey. And the new sessions start in Sept this year. So, we are trying to understand if going to a CDC at 18-19 months of age onward is really beneficial to him, and worth the change in environment and the steep price. Or would a home-based daycare work just fine for the next couple of years. While I understand that it's an individual decision, I'd be interested to hear from ppl who have had to make a similar decision.

Thanks,
SunshineAndMe

[ha98ed14]

Well, How'dduyado! I've had that same issue! We used an in home DCP until DD was exactly 2, then we put her into the University's Child Development Center... to the tune of $1000s. I really felt that she needed nurture from 0-2, which a small inhome DCP can provide well. There is a lot of consistency in care. But once 2 hits, they are ready to explore, and the kind of exploration that I wanted DD to have she was not going to get at home. It was very important to me to find a NAEYC Accredited program. The local university had one and I started her in June, which she was exactly 2.

My advice would be if you can wait til 2, do so. You'll save yourself $ and DS will have the same care giver. At the U daycare, the babies have multiple care givers. But if you need to get in now in order to get a spot, DO IT! You will be kicking yourself if you cannot get him in later. Once you have that spot, hang onto it for dear life! I finished my program at the University and there are NO spots for general community members (only faculty/staff/students), so I am having to move DD and I am SO sad... :(

[lil_acorn]

I agree - I'd wait until 2 - 2.5. Before that, i think home care is just fine.

[mommyp]

I agree with pp. We have had DD at an in-home daycare 2 or 3 days / week, depending on my schedule and it has been great. We are moving her to our on-campus Child Development Center starting in August. (At ours, they don't accept kids younger than 2.5.) So if you like your current situation, then I'd stay there for the year and just get on the waiting list and save up to start at the CDC next Sept!

[wellyes]

My experience is the same. We're in a home daycare with lots of playing. A spot opened up in the wonderful certified nonprofit much beloved in town. We decided that DD'd be happiest if we wanted until 2.5-3 years. We would have made the same decision if the prices were equal at both places.... the fact that the home daycare is much less expensive is just a bonus.

If there is NO chance of getting in later, though, I'd probably consider jumping.