Looking for New In-home Daycare in New Hope Area

YOu are not being to picky...you are entitled to feel that way as a mother. You need to bring up the issues/concerns now before they get way out of hand. You are paying someone else to care and nurture for your child while you are away at work, you should get the best care and feel good about where your daughter goes. You should be able to go to work everyday and know that you love where your daughter is going. Bring your concerns up now, otherwise its only going to get worse, with summer coming, the kids should be outside playing a good portion of the day, they can still learn and play outside. Good luck.

I am facing the same thing with my in-home daycare right now/well at least the TV part...but my 2.5 year old son really likes it, it's clean,she's a good person, and has been in the business for awhile, she's actually in the Plymouth area 169 and Rockford Road, let me know if you want her number!
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By the way you are NOT being too picky, this is your child. Every once in awhile, I interview with other providers to make sure that I have the best solution and so far I feel safe about where my son is at. And we have HORROR dacare stories!

You should always have a good relationship with your daycare provider, where you feel comfortable asking certain questions or asking for things you would like done. Don't ever feel otherwise!! I had switched my son to an inhome daycare that all of the references raved about and people even after their children were out of daycare would have her watch them on the weekend, etc. Well there were some little things that I felt uncomfortable with, but did not know if I should say anything or not. Well she turned out to be an alcoholic and was completely passed out while taking care of the children. Luckily someone reported the problem to police and all of the children did not get hurt. It could have ended up much differently though. Always be vocal when it comes to your kids and if you don't have a good feeling leave. There are plenty of really good providers out there they are just usually really tough to get in.

K., you sound like a concerned mom wanting what is best for her child. That is something you should feel really good about. I am sorry you are not 100% happy with your current daycare situation. I am commenting as a daycare provider and as a mom of 3 children. Have you talked to the provider? One of the things that has bothered me over the years is when parents are not happy about something and don't let me know. How can I change what I don't know about? I would talk to the provider and let her know you are unhappy with some things, they are all reasonable requests and easy to fix. I do know, as a provider, it can be difficult at times to have all hands, faces, and clothes clean. But, we do wash up before and after meals, after bathroom/diapers, after going outside, and after art projects (and as needed otherwise). Your provider should be doing that as well. By the end of the day, most of the kids have been busy and are dirty - the dirt shows that your child had fun, explored, and learned something that day. :0) As for her talking about cartoon characters, I do know some of my daycare kids just like to play or talk about characters. They talk about some that I have never heard of and my own kids will play, too, even though they have never seen the tv show. But, if you are seeing the tv on at drop off and pick up, I would ask the provider how much they watch during the day. Drop offs and pick ups can be hectic, so I occasionally have the tv on at those times - but those times only - NOT all day. If a lot of kids are coming and going at the same time, it often helps to quiet things a bit or helps them wait while I make breakfast in the morning. So it could be as simple as that. But I would still ask her. It is easy enough for her to have it off at those times - or to ONLY have it on at those times. Switching daycare can be very hard on a child, hard on the parents, the provider, and the other kids in the daycare. I would discuss it all with her first and if she isn't willing to hear you or nothing changes after a few weeks, I would start looking for a different situation. Honestly, if a dirty face and a few cartoons is the worst that is going on there, it really isn't that bad.
S.,
mom of 3 and daycare provider for nearly 20 years

Hi Kristen~
I do know of a lady in New Hope. Her name is Becky Bindewald. I am not sure if she has any openings but she is like a Mother two me and I love her. She would also be the contact person for your area. Let me know if you need the #. Good luck. I too am looking for in home but in St. louis Park! Take care, S.