RE: Starting my 2 year old in daycare in January... help lots of questions...
Robyn, I've had DS in daycare since he was 3 months old--he started part-time and gradually increased to full-time. He goes to a major national chain center rather than a home-care center, because the home-care centers near us were HORRIBLE. There are many things to consider when choosing a center. We have had a good experience overall, and DS has really gotten so much out of the socialization, age-appropriate toys and activities, and supervised active play several times each day.
The PPs have great ideas about what to ask for. I agree that you should be able to drop by at any time of day, although I'd exclude drop off time, pick up time, and nap time for obvious reasons. The other thing I found very helpful was to ask parents who are sending their children to that day care what their experience has been like. We were visiting one day and on our way out, another mom was on her way out from dropping off her infant. I asked her if she had a minute to talk about day care and she was very happy to answer my (many!) questions. She really helped to put my mind at ease.
The other thing to consider is cost. –And please know that I mean this with every ounce of sensitivity I have!--I have no idea what your financial situation is like, but some national chain centers (like the one where I send DS) have sliding scales for costs or government subsidies for families making under a certain amount of money. This can be very helpful—I think there are very few people who have unlimited resources and it is really awful to have to make cost a factor in your child care decision—that is, having to send DC somewhere you don’t like because it is the only place you can afford.
Please feel free to ask me any questions about the center we chose (it happens to be Kindercare) or about what it is like to have DS in daycare.
HTH
Hallie
DS #1 5/02
DS #2 1/05
DD 8/09