Originally Posted by Janet:
It can be really rough to make the adjustment all at once. Not just for her but for you as the parent. More than likely, policies will vary and you'll need time to make adjustments to that. The difference is pretty big between how a daycare center runs versus how a home daycare runs. I would start out with a day a week so that everyone can get adjusted. You may also want to keep on good terms with your current provider so that if a center isn't working out, then your child will have a familiar place to come back to. I wish you the best of luck with the transition 
Thanks Janet, that's what I was thinking. Probably would be a good idea for me also, as I am not used to a center at all!
Originally Posted by Former Teacher:
Yes I agree with Janet. Start out a drop in basis (if you can) that way you are not committed to the center. That way if your dd doesn't like the center she (and you!) can go back to the home center.
Keep us posted and good luck!
Great idea!!
Originally Posted by originalkat:
A few things to consider...
I have worked (as a Teacher and Director) in preschools, centers, and I now have a home daycare/Preschool. From my experiences, I think homes offer the best environment for young children (my opinion). Centers can often be large and impersonal. Ask the director about the teachers in the classrooms. One of the complaints I would get in the centers was that the lead techer would go home at 3 or 4pm and then they would hire teenagers or part-time workers to "close" the classrooms. They also often combine classes at the end of the days so they can send teachers home early when they get within ratio. I feel that is a lot of daily transition for young children. Also there tends to be a high turnover rate in the centers because of low pay etc... So ask the Director about that as well.
Some options might be...
1. If it works with your schedule you might put her in a 1/2 day preschool program 2-3 times per week. A traditional preschool will offer more of a classroom enviroment than a center.
2. Try looking for another home daycare that has a more educational/structured program. I run a preschool/home daycare and only take 2 1/2-5 year olds. My daycare area is set up like a classroom. This works for me and I market to parents looking for those preschool features but still want to continuity of care and a home-like environment.
Good Luck in finding the best place for your child!
Thank you for all the tips!! I really do love home daycare as well...just have had a little bit of bad luck with them recently. And I don't want to keep moving her around and since she is close to preschool age I thought I could really search around and find a permanent home for her till school. I will write all these down and make sure to bring them up when I am looking!!
Originally Posted by Crystal:
If you can find a center that is willing to accomodate a one day per week arrangement, then I would recommend enrolling your child and trying it. If it is feasible for you, I would consider keeping her in the FCCh 3 days per week for now and trying the one day per week on the 4th/5th day of the week that you do not require care. That way, you can do it when you are not working, can start out with a half day, then move into a full day if your child seems to like it. You can then move your child into attending more often as needed. This way, you can also drop in unnanounced a little more frequently since you will not be working, AND you will not alienate your current provider by removing your child from her care one day per week, with her knowing that she will be losing your child to the center in the end. I would personally be willing to work with a family who was contemplating this change, however, you will find that many provders takeit personally and will not be happy about it at all.
That being said, if you do go with a center, I highly recommend that you:
1. Ask for references from current and PREVIOUSLY ENROLLED families.
2. Drop in unannounced frequently
3. Ask about teacher turnover: how long have the current teachers/staff been working there - if they are fairly new, ask WHY.
4. Ask what credentials teachers hold.
5. Tour the ENTIRE environment before enrollment.
6. Request a free day so that you and your child may attend together for a portion of the day to get a feel for the schedule/routine
7. Ask how they feel about parental involvement in the program.
8. What is their philosophy of early care and education
Of course, many of these things should be asked/done in FCC as well, but in my experience, many centers do the bare minimum in an effort to increase profit. Overhead is really high for centers, so often teachers are paid very low wages and have no/little benefits, resulting in high turnover and your child having to bond with new caregivers frequently. (I don't say these things just because i am a FCCP, I observe and assess centers for our R&R regularly and more often than not, centers recieve very low scores)
Best wishes to you and yours....
Thanks Crystal! Remember I had an agreement with my provider about a certain guest and that she was to give me notice so that I could find backup care? Well her notice was as I was dropping my daughter off. I didn't think that was very nice and it didn't leave me with very many options. So, I feel as if she wouldn't want to work with me on the issue I have, as I have already given her a chance. If she takes it personal that I am trying to ready my child for a more structured setting, then really she should have thought about that before she put me in an awkward position. I'm kind of sad that she will be out of the home environment, but at the same time I am excited for her because I think she will like having a lot of activities to keep her occupied!
Thank you so much everyone for your input!!!