Help I Don't Know What to Do for Child Care!!!

Try care.com. As a child care provider myself, I can say that if you have just one child then you could give that child all the attention she or he needed, however it is kind of hard when you have a few children and have one that needs constant attention. I am sorry you cannot find that right person but try Care.com. A care provider that it taking in a 6 mos old should know the ins and outs of a 6 mos old and that they need love, comfort and playtime as well. Hang in there and I hope you find the right person.

The day care I used a few years ago had lots of teenagers and college students working in it, and they were always holding babies. The first day I was delighted to come back and see my son sitting on the lap of the girl who ran the front desk - she said when things got crazy she would just pick a child to help out with. Keep searching for places with young people or grandmas or women who want to hold your baby and can handle it. Maybe find someone who is willing to wear a baby sling.

The office where you got CCAP should be able to provide a list of daycare providers.

Oh my heavens, you poor thing! There is nothing more stressful than finding day care for the most important thing in your life! I am far away from you, so I can't recommend my own wonderful care provider - but here are some hints I received when looking for child care.
1) Go meet them and stay there for over an hour. Sit and play with the other children and your own in their setting. Within the hour you should see how changing and feeding are handled - if not, stay longer! Ask how naps are handled - are the children rocked or read to, then put to bed, or are their backs rubbed, or are they just set in cribs?
2) Get references. Ask the care provider to give you a couple of references, and call them! How old were their children when this person cared for them (or if the kids are still there, ask how long they've been there). Ask how long children usually stay with this provider - my provider had most of her children from infancy until kindergarten - even when they went elsewhere for preschool.
3) Ask where co-workers, friends, neighbors, strangers on the street, take their children. You want to hear from real people where they go.

Good luck!!! It's soooo hard to leave your baby, and I hope you find the perfect place so you know she's as happy as possible when not with you.
~R.

I'm sorry to hear you are in a tough place. I've worked in a good preschool/daycare before. Trust me, if the place is good at all, the care providers are giving as much realistic attention as they can to each baby. I sometimes subsituted if a teacher was sick in the infant room. With a ratio of 4 babies to one adult, yes, it is not possible to pay all the attention to each baby a parent would wish for. It's just not realistic to expect that. Trust me, I was in there and I saw all the babies and children as people, not objects, but I did the best I could as did my co-workers. With children or babies who demanded more attention, other children and babies lost out on time and attention. That being said, if you are unable to afford maybe and in-home daycare with a smaller ratio, you might just check out daycares...sit in and observe. Do it more than a few times...the more times you can go, the teachers will get more relaxed around you and will start to show their true selves and how things are truly handled in the room. Do not offer to help...just sit back and observe. Also, communicate with the school administrator...tell her/him about your baby and what you expect and hope for, also remembering what is realistic. I can tell you we never turned a baby away just because they couldn't play alone on the floor all day...at the same time, we couldn't hold just one baby all day, either. All the best for you and your baby and good luck to you.

K.,

I am in the same situation. I can't afford daycare either. If I worked for two weeks I could pay for one week of daycare. I was lucky and found a friend's mom that would take care of Porsha while I am in school and at work. All for a very reasonable price.

I have found that day care that is run out of a person's home seems to be more hands on.And NO you are not expecting too much. That's why we have to pay more for infants because they are supposed to be getting more attention.

You should be able to ask at the place your got funding for childcare. They should have lists of people that are certified that work from their homes.

I wish you the best. If you come up with a really good solution, please let me know.

K. I feel for you and if you lived near me i would absolutely take your baby at my daycare. you need to find a small home run day care. i have a daycare in my house and i can tell you that if there are more than 2-3 babies max where your little one is she is not going to get good care. if your child is in a center, she will get fed and changed and that is about it until she is ready for a nap. if the daycare is really busy your baby may be lucky to get those things on a regular basis.i know because i have worked in several centers. i would not put my children in them when they are infants, that is why i started my own place. another thing to consider is that your child may be sensitive and have a hard time if the daycare is noisy or there is alot going on.daycares can be extremely loud and chaotic, lots of little ones need a calmer more safe feeling environment. you may have to take a few days off from work and really hunt for a good daycare. check with your local childcare resource and referal agency for qualified daycares in you area. if you have any questions i will be happy to help you get good care for your baby girl. email me if you like, N. i also had an idea that just came to me: since you work at home maybe you could hire an older grandma type caregiver and she could come to your house while you work and even when your out. check with your local senior center, there maybe ann able- bodied grandma just waiting to help you out for a small fee!

Sounds like you need to start your own daycare and become the kid of daycare mom for others that you would want for yorself.

You are not crazy you are just raising a daughter who has high expectations for her care provider! That just means your an extra good mommy :) I'm sorry to hear about your problem though. Have you tried looking for a SAHM friend that would be home anyways and wouldnt mind taking your princess while you're at work, and will accept the same or less that you have been paying?

Hi! It is refreshing to hear your expectations. I too found it difficult to leave my children at the average daycare. I personally turned to a woman who had an at home daycare and was a member of the La Leche group I joined. She understood attachment parenting and the breastfeeding relationship since she chose the same for her children. I felt secure in leaving my daughter with her. You might look to your local La Leche chapter or birth center (midwives) for referrals. It is hard enough to leave your children at all let alone in an environment like that.

Best of luck!

Hey K.
Have you considered doing a daycare out of your own home?
It is great money, the going rate is about $22-28 per day per child. and you can be the loving caregiver that you expect to take your baby to, you would be great if the system disgusts you because the centers won't take care of your precious bundle.
Consider it you could help mothers like you. have relief.