With daycare center for 3.5 months; Re-interviewing director; What questions to ask?

I don't have any questions, just an affirmation that everything is probably okay.

I think I was in the same mindset as you when we began taking DS to a childcare center. I was a SAHM for a year then we took DS to a in-home caregiver for 6 months. We got totally spoiled to someone giving the same specific care as I was giving. Then we were forced to go to a daycare center.00

Our daycare has been understanding as far as I can tell. They take him from my arms in the morning, when other parents can simply let their children walk to the caregiver. They say understanding things like, "Wave bye to Mama! Have a good day!"

My biggest concern was Ds's attachment, since he wasn't used to cycling through multiple caregivers. He must be doing well though, because he comes home fine even when his 'teacher' is absent. Our son is merged with the babies at the end of the day also and seems to be fine with it.

The very hardest thing, which I can't give you any consolation on whatsoever, is not knowing what the teacher says and what their day is like. I drop DS off and my husband picks him up. I have no idea what his day is like and what impact daycare has had on him at the end of the work day. I only know what I see when I get home after work. And that is that he is just the same as he was when I was home with him. Honestly.

My DD has been in a centre since 12 mos, and is now 4.

Yes, I wish there were more cuddles after the infant room, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I think it comes down to the style of most teachers. In the end, my DD has been OK with it. Actually, I think it has been more stressful to both of us to see other kids who are very upset not being responded to in an attached way. I remember this in the first preschool room, when there were a few kids about 3 coming into care for the very first time. I have my suspicions that one child in particular was also not getting much attachment at home. He had a really hard time transitioning to the centre. I asked my DD's teacher about it, and let her know that I thought that it was affecting my DD too.

"Floating" caregivers. Yes, I think this is totally normal. I know that many parents find it difficult when there are staff changes. I personally think there are some upsides to it. There are a range of familiar faces that my child has care for her. If her teacher is away, there is a familiar caregiver in her place. Also, there is the benefit of being in a familiar environment, with the usual kids. But this can depend on your child's temperment. Mine seems to be OK with a variety of teachers, although she definately likes some better than others.

Concerns about a caregiver? You mean, if you raise a concern, will it be reported to that dcp? I guess it depends on the concern, and how the supervisor/director needs to follow up. The supervisor needs to address your concern, but she also needs to deal professionally with her staff.

In general, we've been encouraged and also found it most effective to work directly with the teachers when we have concerns.

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That's the same thing that has happened to us. DD is very sensitive.

There is a boy in her class that has some (minor IMO) behavioral problems. And I can tell the teachers are having their patience tried on occasion. However the other day, he seemed really upset, genuinely upset not whining. The teachers said, "oh, he's just teething and he wants to climb on the gate and we don't allow that." But the child was laying face down on the floor crying, not tantrum crying, upset crying, and trying to soothe himself (cause nobody else was doing it) by biting the carpet. It makes me very upset to think about it again. I wanted to pick him up and hold him. He's there long hours. He's there when DD gets there and for another half hour after I pick her up, so 10+ hours. It just kills me. I was half thinking of talking to his mom and offering to take him home for the last 30 minutes and she could get him at our house!! Then at least he could get a break from that place.

But with the exception of the lack of physical comforting, I am satisfied with the place, so DD is still there. Not sure what else to do at this point. All the teachers say how sweet my DD is and it seems the "sweet" kids get treated better, as do the girls : . Of course, that totally sucks and is totally wrong, but I am not as worried about her because of it.