I am a SAHM to a 2 1/2 yr old boy. I was looking to put him in daycare for a few hrs a week. I have visited one daycare provider and I am concerned because she has 2 dogs and 4 cats and her place seems dirty (floors were pretty grimy) and there is not much room for the kids (1 pretty small room). She is very nice and I don't know what I should do. I live in a very small town and daycare options are very limited. She would be caring for 4 other children besides my son. She asking $50 a week (that's for about 6 hrs a week). I don't think that's unreasonable and I'm willing to pay, but the cleanliness issue has me worried.
Thanks ladies! My gut is telling me no. I will keep looking or hire an in-house babysitter if need be. I like this woman, but I won't put my child in harm's way. It just doesn't look like a good fit with us.
I think her rate is too high, especially for what' she's offering and the lack of safety & cleanliness. Around here, in home daycare runs around 25 or 30 bucks for a full day. I think the decision is pretty clear!!
Keep looking...trust your instincts. You said your town has limited options, but there must be others. Could you pay a friend/relative?
Besides the filth from the animals, etc. I would think the crowded conditions for the kids would not be good either. More fighting, more boredom in a small dirty place. I wouldn't want my child there even if it was free. Keep looking or find a church with a mother's day out type daycare or something else.
Nope, I would not do it. I think cleanliness is very important. Also, do you think your son would be happy there? I passed up a daycare because the room was tiny. I would keep looking if I were you. Good luck.
I would not do it. I walked out of a home daycare because the provider (while nice and highly recommended) had two dogs and a cat that were allowed to be around the house. Nope. Not for me.
Find something else or see if you can organize a Mothers Day Out type of program through a local church. I know that ours just started advertising one three weeks ago and it is already full!
I would NEVER put my child in a facility with dogs and cats (and I work with them in my profession). That is a facial dog bite waiting to happen. Also - if the place isn't spotless, I don't know why you are considering it. I am also a strong supporter of licensed daycare centers. The providers have education in early childhood development, when someone gets sick, they call someone else in and don't leave you in the lurch, there are always two sets of eyes watching, they never plop your kid in front of the tv and they are fine if you want to drop in to observe whenever you feel like it.
Nope, couldn't do it. Cleanliness is a big thing and so is space. Those aren't two little things. To me anyways. It can be cheap, but will your son be happy there? Playing in that small room and having animals most likely all over him? And him playing on those floors? Again a no for me.
I would keep looking, I would rather pay a little more for something better. There are other options. What about a pre-school? Or a Mother's Day out, or hiring a babysitter and going out for a few hours?
I have three dogs, so my floors stay pretty grimy as well. That said, I would not leave my kids with a childcare provider that kept her floors that way. The childcare provider that we have had for years has no animals in the house, she has one outdoor dog. She kept her floors pretty immaculate. I think that that should be a requirement when you are caring for kids in your home, and I personally wouldn't accept anything less from someone I was paying to care for mine.
But it just depends on what YOU are comfortable with.
$50 a week for 6 hours is not bad at all. Break it down and it doesn't come out to much.
However, I can't cope with dog hair so that would be a no for me right there.
Just my opinion.
If you don't like the place, don't make yourself like it. We turned down a place that was close to home but we couldn't make ourselves love it. Things like the TV on all day in the corner in the baby room. Being nice has nothing to do with it. If you have a choice, go with something that will encourage him to do more with other kids. Many preschools have 2 or 3 day options for just a few hours per day for 2 yr olds.
Well, if you were talking to an Infectious Disease MD they would say that sort of exposure would benefit your child's immune system. Better now than later.
But as a mom who fusses of cleanliness on my kids, it would bother me all the time.
Can you give it a try? And see just how dirty your kid actually gets?
okay....I'm a small town, inhome daycare provider. I am unlicensed by choice...& in the state of MO, you can only have 4 children unrelated to you.
Soooo, 1st question: is she licensed...since your son will be Child #5?
2nd question: does she clean/sanitize daily? My toys & equipmt are cleaned regularly.
I have 2 inside/outside dogs. They have the run of the house once the kids are gone....the rest of the day, they split their time betwn outside & the back bedrooms. Pet interaction is only over the hallway gate or when outside thru the fence. My Moms know that all toys are put away before the dogs roam each night.
In other words, you can have inside pets & still keep the house clean! & as far as I'm concerned that $50 for 6 hours is insane! In my small town, $50 will buy you 1/2 a week or A.M. preschool! Find a friend who'd like to share babysitting with you or start a small play group...
The money amount is more then fair to be honest, I do babysit and nanny for many people. However the issue of a clean house is very importiant to your child, I also have dog's, but as much ad the dogs and cats roam the floor, It should be cleaned several times a day. You should see no hair or dirt on floor. I hope this helps you. wish you were closer so I could help you you out.. Thx M~
