Can’t make a decision!!!!

Hi,

I return to work in 2 weeks, 2 just two little weeks and I am really struggling making my care decision.

I am usually so decisive and go with my gut and it always does me well, but seriously I am so struggling.

So I am going to tell you the choices and see what you think.

So I have found 2 awesome daycare centres very close to home, very friendly, both a similar size, one has a nicer feel than the other but the one with a nicer feel a friend of mine said she hadn't heard anything good about, but I got a good vibe.

Then there is in home care, I got a call from a friend of the family who has a nanny sort of and she would like to take on another child, its not through any agency but this nanny is a friend of that family, she currently looks after her grand daughter and another wee boy, mine would make 3, ranging from 1 to 3. Lovely homely feel, she seemed lovely, she is super flexible

Things that bother me, in daycare they would follow a routine, the home based care will not so much, but then when he goes to daycare his routine will probably change anyway.

I like all the activities of a daycare, but the home care lady would be like taking him to be with his nanna for the day is that more important at this age.

lastly aargggh, i think I am over thinking this , but I just can't decide.

i am a ECE teacher but in your case sounds like the home based option sounds best? if you are going to go preschool then I suggest going with the one you said you got a good gut feeling about...

both options have brilliant pros and cons.. and it depends what you are after.. for me he needed socialisation and I needed a break so a small school (8 babies) suited us both.. but I very seriously considered home care /nanny as well..

you say the home care is more what you feel he needs and also that you would rather he was in his own routine so prob home based sounds like it suits you better.

Which would be easier for you in terms of logistics - drop offs, pick ups, location etc? Is there any difference in cost? I'd look at these practical things if everything else is equal...

Oh but that said, there is recent evidence to suggest that babies who are in daycare from an earlier age experience higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and that this is caused by the centre environment itself rather than being separated from his/her parents as children in homebased care or with family members etc. don't experience this increase in cortisol. Will try to find a link to the study.

I agree with LF too... esp if the carer isn't affiliated with an agency. DC just feels safer to me knowing that there are other teachers around and I'm not just relying on the one person...

Good point about personality types Cuppatea - Maya thrived at daycare, then preschool and now school coz she is a confident, outgoing, sociable kind of person by nature and daycare really nurtured that. But the gremlins are much, much more reserved, insecure and easily overwhelmed so the nanny has been great for them as it's allowed them to form a secure attachment and a real sense of relationship with her. Not that Maya didn't form relationships with her daycare teachers, it's just not as personal.

You guys are awesome, but my head is still spinning.

Reading amongst it all there are pros and cons.

DS is outgoing at home, quiet when we first go and see others and then very FULL on.

This home carer has been taking care of a friend of the family for 6 months and they are very happy with her, but I get what you are saying, it also bothers me its just her.

To those who do go to daycare, do they get exhausted every day?

I may be able to go with the home carer for a month as my daycare doesn't have space for a couple of weeks, and then change if I don't like it.

I have a headache just thinking about it.



I really wish there was one thing to push me one way or the other.

Convenience, is about the same, money is less with the home carer.

Off to look at that article now Maya

i would want to know what the in home carer would do during the day. is she just going to sit at home with the kids or will she do music and playgroup and stuff like that too...? and how old is she - you said she had a grandkid she was looking after, i would be worried that looking after 3 kids might be too much. (i dont want to offend any older people on here).

maybe another option would be to look at a more formal in home carer like a porse or barnardos type thing so there is some accountability.

He is only little, I'd be tempted to use the home carer and maybe consider day care when he's a bit older.

IMO grand mothers make some of the most fabulous home carers, they've got loads of experience and love to give their kids.
I don't have my own mum around, but I'd be more than happy to poach someone elses.

I have used both with different kids

My daughter was and is very out going, confident etc. already so she would of been fine anywhere but..daycare was great for her.

My son is home based care now - although she does it with The Kidscare group (a taranaki group) He loves it and it has the flexibility i need with hours if I need an extra day hour here or there - i work part time but casual now and then. i get on very well with the carer and can be pretty open with her too. he also is pretty confindent.

Will you be wanting a subsidy (eligelble?) cause with the home base one - not being with an agency you won't get it where as the daycare you will.

At your sons age - being with a large group or smaller group i don't think makes too much difference - With my son nearly being 3 he is into alot more and there is less opportunity at home base - although he is going to go to Kindy once they have a space in the afternoon.

Oh and Rhyley at kindy is not shy and will defend himself with the more 'experience' kids (as I go to a play group there which is on with the afternoon kindy kids)



Edited by Chickaboo