My determined hunt for daycare began in a frustrating way as it has before. I hate the 'cell block' feel of some places, others just gave me a sense of unease and others were simply exorbitantly pricey if I want to feed and clothe my kid too. It has been a tortuous quest and, yes, my attitude about it all was becoming quite beaten down. I've shed a tear or two in frustration.
Enter the small, privately-owned daycare. I have driven by it many times. I have thought "I really need to step in there and give that place a look." I never did...until today. I am not sure why I held out except that it was my internal assumption that I wanted one of the chain type places. Why? Who knows, really, because that is where I kept getting a sense of unease time and again. I suppose I just had to have checked out everything available before I was going to feel peace.
The door opened to me today, I stepped inside the small daycare and I heard the choir gearing up. An hour later things were in full Hallelujah chorus. No, this place does not have all the state-of-the-art, snazzy bells and whistles. It is a third of the size of most of the places I have checked into. What DOES it have? It has amazing staff who interact so well with the kids...and I was there unannounced so it was clear that I was seeing 'how it really is'. It has a great ratio of kids to staff. The owner is a very pleasant woman and I LOVE her philosophy. To boot, comparatively speaking, it is a more affordable environment too...by no means inexpensive, but better.
One thing that was clearly bothering me about other places was the limited diversity in the kids present. This place was fab...I walked in the door and was greeted by kids of every color....and I don't mean in a 90/10 high white ratio. It was a great mix. It was also an amazing little boost that as I peaked around to wave at one kiddo getting a diaper change, a beautiful little Asian face was smiling back at me. At that point, the aria was being sung. I was sold. It just FELT right. I can't explain it in tangible terms but, for now, I am thrilled with my daycare decision. I hope it turns out as well as I am thinking it will. I feel like a ton of weight has been lifted from my shoulders. This was the one and only place that I felt less stressed coming out of the center than I felt going in.
Now, I am truly ready...and I hope in just the nick of time ;0)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
35 comments:
Hallelujah !!! I know what you mean about the "it just seemed right" feeling. I'm so glad you found a daycare you like and I'm so hoping we will be singing another Hallelujah soon to celebrate your referral !!!
Joanne
Oh friend! SO happy for you! It's so neat when you just 'know' something is right and the daycare is the place where your precious Baby PIPO will spend time with friends and care givers who care about her!
Sweet dreams friend. I'm sure the relief you're feeling tonight will bring on sweet, sweet slumber.
WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! I am so happy for yoU! That must feel like a huge weight off your chest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go girl. The day care wows are hard. We are going to talk with one on Wed but we will be very well anounced.
That is SOOOOOOO wonderful to hear!!!
I loved your post!! Those were a momma's words a speakin!!! :)
Yay! I hear ya! A parent MUST be totally sold on the place (and more importantly the people!) who'll be caring for your child, while you're making the dough! Sounds like a winner! Hope little J (who isnt J anymore!) wins a place!
That's excellent news! I know you were so worried about the daycare thing. I'm glad you can rest easier knowing you've crossed a major "thing to do" off your list.
PS. Would you call it obsessive if I were on the computer at 6:45am to check RQ instead of getting my arse in the shower to get ready for work?
And it's not even me up for referral? LOL!
Good for you!!
That's awesome! I hope I can find place that great when it's my turn!
From experience, I believe the smaller places are MUCH better. What a relief it must be for you! Now, bring on those referrals!!
I said it would sing to you! I like day cares rather than in home places. I just think kids get more stimulation that way. We found a good place out of a church here. Not our religion but I think the values they promote are good ones.
Glad you found a good place.
So glad you found a place you're comfortable with.
HallelujER!!!!!
I am so relieved for you.
I am so glad! I wonder if it is the one I was thinking about. I was going to e-mail you about it. Is it the one that is close to your office?
I can't imagine how happy you are and the relief that you are feeling.
Now we just have to see your Italian speaking boy and we will be all set!!
Phew! What a sense of relief! Congrats!
Wow!! That is such a relief!! I am so happy for you. Now it's just a matter of seeing little Jack's picture! :o)
Miss you tons!
YAY!YAY!YAY!FOR YOU....NOW BRING ON THAT REFERRAL!!!!!
There is nothing better than finding the right place. We did the opposite of you, but what matters is what feels right for you.
We started out looking at home daycare. I found one that couldn't have better references. It was ideally set up for us, yet I had concerns. At the last minute, I checked out a new "chain" pre-school, and it felt right. That doesn't make one better than the other. It's just what is right for you, your child, your circumstances, and who is employed at both.
This is huge! And wonderful!
Yay!!! Another thing to check off the list of "to do's before baby comes!!"
Yippee!!!!
Hallelujia! No better feeling than dropping your kiddo off at a place you feel comfortable with. What a relief! Now bring on those referrals!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so glad you found a place you feel comfortable with. Now for the child to go there - so excited for you!
Good stuff!
Let the choir keep singing! Wanna hear that special song for your girl's referral...and soon!
Keep smilin!
Great news - we went with small and personal and were beyond pleased. We still keep in touch with J's orgiginal caretaker. Okay now we need referals - daycare is in order. Can not wait!!!
oh YAY! I'm so glad to hear it! It's a HUGE load off your mind once you get the childcare piece settled.
Bring on the baby!
oh wow! what a sweet blessing to have found such a nice place for your daughter.
Woohoo!!!! I am so glad you got that out of the way and can now concentrate on happier things.
By the way, I heard the choir sing the first time I walked into a baby store. Hubby just heard his checking account emptying.
Woooowhoooooo!! That's a major decision... done!!! So glad you are finally at ease with this.
As PB said... bring on the picture of your son Jack!!! hehe
Awesome! What a relief that must be. Now bring on that R~E~F~E~R~R~A~L!
That is just GREAT news! I can only imagine what a weight has been lifted off of you. So glad that they had the space and you could get in right away. YAY.
OK....so now where is the referral?
I remember that feeling with my Jacob. When the mama feels good, it's good. So yes it seems the question is now....where the heck are referrals!!!!
Seems like there is always a solution, right?? We have Tabby in a lovely home daycare recommended to me by a coworker's wife. She treats Tabby like one of her own and compared to my friends' babies at centers, she's had sooo few illnesses!! We'll have to find a different place for her eventually ... one with more kids her own age, but for now it's great!
So glad you found something you LOVE. That feels awesome. Now I will be anxiously awaiting your referral!!
Hey, I remember praying for you about this and I am so happy that your story turned out just like mine! This is wonderful news and I know exactly the huge sense of relief you feel. I think it's good that you saw everything out there, now you know and will so appreciate what you have. Oh, this just made my day!
Glad you found a place you like. Must be such a relief.
Post a Comment