Compare Kindercare/La Petite Academy to Other Day Cares

the best one we have found in the area would be clark college's daycare in vancouver,wa. and its not bad price wise.

I think it is a personal decision, but for my baby, I felt that the home day care better. Especially if you can find one that doesn't have too many kids. I returned to work when my baby was 7 months old, with the attitude that I didn't want my baby in a home daycare because I didn't want my baby in someone else's home. Afterall, who knows those people, and it's a closed environment without as many eyes watching and an administrator walking around. And I wanted structure. Until I dropped my baby off at kindercare. Then I decided that structure was not the best thing for my baby at this age. Nurture was, especially at that age and now that he is 9 months old. Other benefits to the at home daycare: the one I take my little bundle to only has two other boys. 1 is in kindergarden (gone for a half day) and the other is 4 and is the caretakers grandchild. They are able to go outside on nice days...where at kindercare they would never be able to go outdoors because of the 4 to 1 ratio....it just wasn't practical. Also, I am able to make my babies food (steamed seasoned veggies and ground turkey...partially blended with immersion blender), cottage cheese, yogurt with chunky applesauce and bring it each day in rubbermaid containers. they don't mind at all. It has been more personal, less corporate....And they read to him and stimulate his mind with activity. Oh and the caregiver loves him and is disappointed when I call in the morning letting them know that I decided to take a day off work to be at home with the baby....oh and did I tell you it is a licensed day care and is HALF the price of Kindercare. More money does not = better service, necessarily. Good luck and I hope you find the option that works best for you and your bundle.

I preferred home day care until about 2 or 3 years old. The big centers don't really do a whole lot curriculum wise anyways (especially a 1 year old) and cost so much more.
If you can find a good home day care, you always have the same person and they usually become very attached and loving towards your child. At a facility, teachers can be changed at any time with rotating staff schedules or just staff turnover. They just don't bond the same way.
Depending upon the circumstance & number of kids, a home day care may still be willing to take your child if they are sick and have the ability to maintain distance with other kids - nap in separate rooms - separate play areas - etc - especially if it's not contagious. A facility is either going to take sick kids and they're all in the same confined room - or they're going to be very strict and not take kids who have a runny nose even when they're not contagious.
A home day care may be more accommodating with your hours and schedule. Once when I had to take my son to the hospital, my day care provider kept my daughter until 8 at night. And once when I had to go out of town on business, she kept both of my kids overnight (for a fee).
Good luck,

I have done home daycare for many years and references are always the best ask and check them out. Ask if you can go through the log and pick out a few. All licensed providers must keep it with child in and out of their daycare. Stop by at different times for visits and hang out for at least 1/2 hour with your child to see what your child will fit in and ask for a schedule of a typical day and always trust your gut instincts when it comes to your child don't be embarressed to speak up. I once had someone call me for her first child but when she found out I did do 6-8 at times she perefered a smaller setting and found someone on craigs list which was someone I new which wasn't bad but didn't do 1/4 of what I did with my children so a smaller group isn't always the best. Most of my children come as babies and leave as kindergardeners up to 6th grade depending where they need to go to school. SO it ends up being a close family friendship quickly and the same person in your childs life if you pick right from the start. Which you do not get in a center and I hear are much more money which does not always equate to better care. Good luck in your search and take your time and choose right.