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Submitted by Tara |
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"I have a 2yr little girl named Jasmine, my husband and I thought it might be good for her to start going to Day Care 1-2 times a week. To develope social skills etc.. Just wanted to know what people thought, does anyone dislike day care? why/why not? I have had a mixed response so far. Have spoken to a few family friends that are teachers and they seem to recommend family care (baby sitters), over day care as day care is too structured for them and when they move to school they found children that have been in day care do not adjust as well. I have never left her before, though she is very independent. I think she will love it, just want to know if anyone has any opinions."
~ Tara
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Submitted Responses: |
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Hi Tara, I worked in Childcare before I had my son, and my Husband works in Childcare also. The first advice I'd give you is that ABC is evil!! lol Seriously though, all anyone ever hears about them is bad stuff. (sorry to all those ABC workers, is not you we hate, its your boss!!:P)
If I were you I would look for a privately owned centre, instead of a chain, because they are usually a lot more personal and take more pride in what they do and the way they run the centre.
As a child care worker, I can tell you that usually a lot of our problem children were the ones that only came in once a week. The reason for this is because it takes the child SUCH a long time to get used to it, so they scream for the first 8 weeks! When a child starts full time, it usually takes 3-4 days in a row and then they're fine. But if you put your daughter in say every Monday, with a whole week in between each visit, it would be really hard on her. Obviously it gets easier as they get older, but 2 is still very young and they don't fully comprehend whats going on.
I always said that I would wait until my son was old enough for the experience to be exciting and fun for him. If it means letting them scream the whole time they're there, it can be really damaging for them. Although your daughter may be independent now, that might only be because she has learnt to trust you. Whereas if you all of a sudden put her in childcare and leave her, she won't understand whats going on.
If I were you I would consider a babysitter instead of childcare. At the age of 2 children arent really social players, they are more likely to play on their own, so she doesn't need to be around a lot of other children. Plus she wouldn't get all of the scary illnesses that go around childcare centres. PLUS you'd know that she would be getting all of the attention and supervision that she needs.
I'm not trying to scare you out of doing this, it's just that since I worked in childcare and then became a mother myself, I've become really aware of everything you need to think about. Good luck!
~ Zanabelle
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Thanks for the great advice! The childcare centres we actually looked at were ABC. lol. The interaction with the children seemed ok. (I was only there for a few hours). I was really disappointed with the hygine there. I expected alot more. The staff at ABC that we spoke to, also really pushed 2-3 times a week aswell, for the same reason as yourself.
I do not work, but Jasmine loves spending time with other children. Thats the only reason I was looking into it. She isnt overly social at the moment, but enjoys watching and copying other children. Almost EVERY child at ABC was sick... it was horrible. I am looking into Family Day care at the moment... Cost is a big issue for us too. A few other suggestions were Mothers Groups. As much as I agree with the advantages of this, and the benefits. I was looking to have a bit of a break as well. I have only ever left her once or twice, and I think it would be really good for me mentally to have a break every now and again, especially because we are thinking of having another baby.
~ Tara
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I went throught the same thing a few months ago. Kooper is an only child and I felt that somedays he was getting sick of hanging out with me and playing with the same toys day in fay out. So i thought that childcare one day a week would help him get out and interact with other kids his age. So my partner and I set out to look into some childcare centres. I came back amazed at how much better the centres are than i ever thought they would be - great toys, undercover outdoors area, chef to cook meals etc. But after talking to the staff i realised that Koops going 10am - 3/4pm each day was not really worth it. As i don't work, the only reason for putting him in childcare, was for Koops to play, so i wasn't really looking at him goin in all day. As it turns out, childcare is REALLY structured and to be in only 1 day a week with kids that are there all week and have very set routines, he really wouldn't get much out of it. So, i changed my thoughts and instead of childcare, I take him to a wonderful playgroup twice a week for 3 hours. Koops loves seeing new kids (in varying age groups) and the amount of different toys playgroup has is amazing. We love playgroup, as Koops is also very independant and he toddles off at playgroup, but I stay and watch/interact/chat. Its much nicer than finding the courage to leave him at childcare if he was to get upset. If we decide not to go to playgroup one day, we don't have to still pay. And, as a bonus, Koops is usually so tired after playgroup that he sleeps all afternoon!! hope that helps
~ Naomi |
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Thanks for the advice. We still havent decided what we want to do exactly. When we first went to the child care centre, I was a little reserved. It was nice. Its fairly new, but was really disappointed with the hygine measures... I had thought of Mothers Group. It would be great for both of us. But, I was looking to have a bit of a break too. She is almost 2, and she has barely been out of my sight. We are thinking of having another baby, and having a break would be really good for me, before there is another newborn in the house :)
Im looking into Family Daycare at the moment. There is only 5-7 children at a time. Thanks again!
~ Tara |
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i think daycare is an awesome idea. when i was going through the dilemma my aunty said to me "do u really think he doesnt get sick of u? who would want to spend 24/7 looking at the same people and the same things?" my son loves it i first started sending him for the social skills as i dont know many people with kids around his age. trust me ur daughter will love it they do cry when they first go but who wouldnt they stop as soon as u leave anyway
~ Whitney |
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I have worked in childcare centres on and off for the past six years and I think they are wonderful for developing little one's social skills - providing that you find a good centre of course!
My little girl has been going 2 days a week since she was 10 months old, as I had to go back to uni - I probably wouldn't have sent her that young, but she LOVES it! And she has learnt so much there.
As for centres being too structured, if you find a good centre they may have a routine, but it should be flexible and the staff should follow the children as to when things are done, to a degree. Obviously some routine is good!
I don't know why people would think that children who go to day care would not transition well into schools, in my experience kids who have been in a good pre-school settle much easier than those who haven't. A decent pre-school will give them the skills they need to cope with school!
~ Krystal |
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ok cos the other responses were to long (sorry guys i read the starts just to get your general opinion) my son is only 9mths old now and i've had him in a family day care centre for about 4 mths if not longer because i know the lady that runs it and he's actually in there with emma aka jesse's mums little boy....we both put our boys in on a saturday night and mainly when we do because we got out together it means the boys are in there together! i think its a great idea as aidan is an only child and i dont always have time to take him to my brothers house to play with his two kids.
even just the saturday nights are good because it gives me a break and it gives him a chance to socialise with other kids, ones that he isnt related too. and even though it's not an every weekend thing it's still really good for both of us. i mean i've seen one kid who i know pretty well...she's a 4yr old only child who has NEVER been to daycare and it's my sister-in-laws niece, she never had a chance to socialise with other kids of any age and because of this she doesnt know how to share ANYTHING, if she doesnt get her own way she takes her anger out on my nephew and she's just a down right little cow so yeah i think that daycare is a great idea for any little kid no matter what age.
~ Ness |
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~ Tara |
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LOL ness! Thought id put my lil bit in too lol... My son Jesse goes into day care every 2nd or 3rd saturday night whenever i need the break... And he loves it never crys he is quiet happy to be there...As ive known the carer for almost 10 years and is a personal friend of ours its just like leaving him with a babysitter so thats why im happy to leave him overnight with her... Ive thought of putting Jesse into day care maybe 2 times a week but at this age i prefer to take him to a playgroup or friends houses for an only child he is very social and loves so share.. Well doesnt like to share his bike but hey what kid does lol...
~ Emma |
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I had to return to work when my little was 10 months due to unforseen circumstances and at first I hated myself because I am her mum and it's my job to look after her.
But she has settled into daycare so well, by the first week the ladies said she was so well adapted for a full-timer. So don't feel bad, now Mione is 16 months old and always has massive cuddles for the Qualified Carer in her room and is always repeatedly saying the other carers names when she gets home. Sometimes I think she loves them more than us! But she always tries to tell us what she did at daycare everyday by saying, "Today...Mione...ummm" but thats as far as she gets then its just babble :)But the social aspect is fantastic for them, Mione has advanced a lot for her age and whenever she is around other children outside of daycare she isn't afraid to play with them or even if they are extremely noisy.
I think it's a great step for all little ones to take and we shouldnt be afraid to do it either. Just do your research on centres and staff, do a trial day if you want to and make sure you feel comfortable with the staff that will be watching Jasmine.
~ Katrina |
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The orientation days are great, its good to see exactly what they are doing. We havent decided what to do as yet. So far havent been happy with the day care centres in my immediate area, so am looking in to Family care in my area.
~ Tara |
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I might just quickly add that i will never ever take kyla to a creche EVER EVER AGAIN!!!
There is only one quallified worker there and after my game of netball i came to the creche to find Kyla straped into a pram and in a far corner of the room away from any carers sight! Kyla bawled her eyes out as soon as she saw me!!! So naturally i bawled my eyes out for leaving her there!!! i felt awful!!
Sorry... not helping! I am looking into a private family day care soon! As i will be going to tafe soon and i want to get kyla used to day for about half a day at first and then a little longer until its a full day! GOODLUCK!
~ Aimz |
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