Time for a Change

So my son has been going to an in-home daycare for the last two years. It's worked out really well for us for the most part, so we've kept him there. I'd always been pretty good friends with the girl who takes care of J, and I felt good about the fact that she was so competent at her job.

Things started to change about a month ago, when my husband came home from dropping J off to tell me that her child might have H1N1. Nothing was confirmed, but it was a possibility. I was upset with my husband for leaving him there, but also upset with her for not letting us know, considering that I am pregnant. Later that morning, she found out that it wasn't H1N1, but I was still upset that I wasn't given notice. Had it been me dropping J off, I would not have left him there. Later that day, she called me, angry because I had said something about it that got back to another parent; a guy who happens to work in my office. I explained why I was upset about the whole thing and she just couldn't see my point of view.

After that, things just haven't been the same. Yesterday, I was a few minutes late picking J up and even though she was busy talking to other parents and there were still other kids there, she made a comment about it to my husband (not me) this morning.

It just seems like there is always some kind of drama...if it's not involving me, it's involving other parents and somehow I end up hearing about it (which means she is also complaining about me to the other parents). I cannot go through this for another 4+ years with the new baby, so I decided to make a phone call.

There is a daycare center in the area I kept hearing about from people. It gets rave reviews for their educational programs, staff, cleanliness and cost. I went ahead and called and found out that not only is it about the same price as what I am paying, but that they also provide a square meal for lunch and two snacks during the day. Additionally, they are open until 6:00pm, which would allow me to be more flexible with my work hours. They also offer VPK, which means I wouldn't have to be picking my son up in the middle of the day to take him to daycare. Another plus...it's located about 10 minutes from our house, and is directly on my way home from the office, if ever I have to go in.

The only downside is that there is a wait list. I went ahead and had J put on the list, along with the new baby. They don't expect any openings until May or June, which is perfect for the baby, but a ways to wait for J.

Anyhow, in the meantime, my husband and I will be going over there sometime to check the place out. I NEVER thought I would be excited about sending my child to daycare, but surprisingly, I am.