What's the "best" KW child care?

[atpeace]

Please tell me where your kids go to daycare in Kitchener/Waterloo. We're looking for a good daycare for DD (almost 2), and wondering what is available in the area. What experiences have you had with your child's day care, good and bad?

[avr]

Hi,

My DS goes to a home daycare, and we really like it. But we have recently looked into Alexandra and Abwunza daycares. The teachers at Alexandra were so friendly and engaging with us. And they have a lovely shaded outdoor playground. These are the two we're considering right now.
Where are you in KW?

[atpeace]

Thanks for your reply! We live around University and King, and DD actually goes to Abwunza. She's been there since August, and seems to like it. It's not as fancy as the one she was in previously (when we lived in Toronto), but still meets our criteria. Where's Alexandra?

Why did you want to switch your DS from home care? I've always thought home care would be great too, but DH wasn't too comfortable with it...

[avr]

What do you think of Abwunza? I go to Laurier part time, and DH works near King/University so it would be very convenient.
Alexandra is on Alexandra street, near Caroline & William (that's our neighbourhood). It's an old house. I like the atmosphere.
We are happy with our home child care, but the location is very out of the way- DH doesn't drive and I'm hoping to give up the car in the spring. As well we may need to apply for the subsidy, and you can only get it at licensed centres.
I think home child care is great, and I love supporting a mama getting to be home with her little one. It has to be a good match above all, though.

I drive by one that I don't know anything about, it's called Emmanuel at Brighton? It's on Noecker. I've been meaning to look into it. And I wondered about the centres that are associated with UW. They look good, and I'd love to get into a co-op centre.