I’m about to be a mommy in March and can only take off three months from work, so I will need to put my baby in daycare around June. As a first time parent I had no idea that I should have been looking already.
First off, I am having trouble finding daycares – I live in Logan Square and work in the loop. I’ve checked out two Bright Horizons locations and contacted the Concordia Avondale daycare. All three daycares have waiting lists between 9 months to a year! We have one friend with a child who uses an in home daycare provider who is very, very happy and we have an appointment to meet her. But if for some reason that doesn’t work out, I don’t know what else to do. I went on the NAEYC website and got a list of childcare centers, but most only see two year olds and up. Both of out families are on the east coast, so there is no “grandma” option for us. I feel like I’ve already let the baby down and she/he isn’t even born yet. A co-worker suggested looking on craigslist for someone who could do home daycare, but I don’t know anything about how to run background checks/check certifications and I don’t want to just take someone I don’t know on their word.
Any referrals or advice or suggestions would be welcome.
I have found help through some of the church's in our local area. Some have daycare, you might want to check it out.
First, I suggest contacting "Action for Children" and getting a list of home daycare referrals. They'll do a search by zipcode for every licensed in-home daycare provider. Very helpful. They may charge you a fee up to $40 depending on your income level.
Second, don't worry about NAEYC for an infant. You don't care about this right now - what you need is a caring and loving environment for your precious baby. You can always put your baby on the waiting list for the World's Greatest Preschool in a few months after you're back to work and feeling good about everything.
You might try going to www.sittercity.com and looking for someone there too. They have an automatic background check thing that you can do. No matter who you are evaluating, ask for and check on references. Talk to other parents who have used or are using the care provider.
Yes, you sort of left this to the last minute I have to say! It's crazy, but with the lack of decent infant care in the city you really need to start looking about the same time you find out you're pregnant! I'm sure you'll find something that works for you. Good luck with the birth - being a mom is great!!!
Make sure that you get on those waitlists as a lot can happen between now and when you are due to go back to work after baby....
We got on several wait lists and nothing was available when I had to go back to work at 10weeks, so we put an ad on craigslist and we were lucky enough to find another family that were looking to do a nannyshare. We did that for 2 1/2 months until a FT daycare slot opened up.
It worked very well for us :)
Also...are you a member of Northside Parents Network - they are a great source of referrals too.
Good luck!
Hi K..
I am 7 months pregnant too and I know the thought of childcare can be overwhelming. Here's my suggestions...
1. sittercity - it's a great source and you can run the background check right on the site
2. craigslist - i have heard good things, but there are also some whack jobs on it
3. parks- i live in lakeview/wrigleyville, so nannies are EVERYWHERE! try going to your local parks and asking around
4. library - ours has postings of nannies looking for work
5. nanny share- a friend of mine is doing this in wicker park and loves it and also loves that the cost is cut in half
6. Daycare centers- i know you will hear alot of negative things, but i worked at one in college and my mIL worked in one a few years ago, and your child can get great care
Don't feel like you are letting your baby down. You are going to be a great mom and your child will love you for it. Good luck!
Cook County has a daycare referral service, too. They will give you a list of centers and licensed home daycares. Also, if your company or your husband's has an EAP it is a service some of them provide - they will contact centers/home daycares and give you a list of those who actually have availability to help you narrow it down.
Don't get discouraged - there are options. Through different reasons, I ended up having to look for childcare for both of my babies while on maternity leave, and it all worked out fine in the end. I notice you will be going back to work when colleges are ending semesters - you might consider a summer nanny if you don't find something else you like right away. We did that with my 2nd son, and it was great!
First thing, try and relax. You haven't let anyone down, least of all the baby. You will work out the best decision in time. I would tour the centers that you have spoken of and then put your name on the lists of the ones you would consider. I know the wait can be up to a year, but UP TO are the key words in that, and you never know. Might as well start on the list this month then wait til the baby's born. It can't hurt. Also, if you decide on a different daycare and it doesn't work out, you may end up having a backup if the center opens up. As for home daycare they can be a great option. Craigslist is a great resource, you just need to do some leg work. You won't hire someone based on their word. You will interview them, ask questions, tour their home, meet the other moms and dads, and check their references. Then you will drop in unanounced to check on how things are when they aren't expecting you. I run a small home daycare myself and have used craigslist exclusively for the last four years with great results. If you want to make sure you are just looking for a licensed home daycare (there are great options for both)try this site. http://www.inccrra.org/parentsandpublic.aspx?id=393&e...
I know there are sites that list the licensed home daycares in cook county, but I don't know it. Try googling it. Don't panic, you'll figure out a good fit. Make sure you take into consideration when you are looking, the safety of your child above all, the provider to child ratio, how near and easy it is for you to drop off and pick up, the overall philosophy of the provider compared to your own parenting philosophy, and the references. I know everything can be overwhelming, this is an important decision to make, but you and your husband will know whats best for your baby. There are some great centers in the city and sometimes home daycares work out great, especially for infants because they just naturally have that home feel to them. Consider every option before you make your decision and if you have any questions, please feel free to send me a personal message.
BTW---I am not trying to sell you my services, my daycare is full. =)
