[dido1]

Well, DS is getting better with the daycare situation...he has gone from 8 - 5 two days this week, and it hasn't been too bad, accept when the other children go down for their afternoon naps (he naps in the morning). When our DCP is trying to settle the other children into bed, DS starts screaming REALLY loudly and doesn't stop until the other kids get up. As a result, the other children aren't getting their naps because DS is keeping them awake. AGH!

How do caregivers deal with this? Mine is new to the childcare business and I feel that she may be getting overwhelmed by DS's need for one on one time and reassurance and the needs of the other three children...I hate the thought of having to change caregivers, but I'm concerned that four kids may be too much for our DCP, as much as I really like her...

Anyhoo, just rambling to get it off my chest.

 

[dido1]

DS is nearly 18 months, and yes he's only been going three days a week for a week now. DCP was wearing DS for walks, but I think she's forgotten that option for managing around the house when DS needs reassurance and the other children need her. I'm doing the dropoff tomorrow (DH normally does them), so I'll have a good talk with her to see if we can come up with a plan to help her and DS get used to the situation.

 

[dido1]

Thanks for the feedback...it's really helpful to hear other child care professionals' opinions and ideas!

 

[dido1]

We are also trying to get DS to nap after lunch instead of in the mornings, so that he gets used to sleeping at the same time as the other kids. There are still lots of tears when we drop him off, but he seems to be happier during the day. Apparently he crawled into the stroller at daycare the other day and fell asleep, all on his own, LOL.

Our DCP is hiring an assistant to come in from 12 - 6 starting in January, so I think that will make it easier for her to manage nap time when one or more of the kids doesn't want to nap. For now, DS does nap while he's there, but usually it's in the stroller on the way back from their outings. But that's better than not napping at all!