No Doubt Here, We Found Mrs. Surefire!
Posted on May 27th, 2008 – 1:06 PMBy Kay Krhin
It’s time to follow-up on my “Where Art Thou Mrs. Doubtfire?” searching for new day care trials and tribulations.
Our current day care provider has taken a new job and closing up shop. We have been searching and searching for a new place that we felt comfortable sending our kids to part time.
I’m happy to report back with success! After many inquiries, phone calls, reference checks, and face-to-face interviews we have found our new provider. (Thanks in part to the parents of Ben’s best 2 year old gal pal who also attends his current day care).
They found her first and she just happened to have PT openings for a baby and a 2 year old. Hallelujah! Plus she was a matter of blocks away from our current provider. Of course, we didn’t want to do this hastily. But we also know that transitioning his environment is hard for a little guy and thought it would ease the change if he had a familiar friend there too.
Our potential provider had us over to observe her day care over two visits. We were impressed with her play-based learning, her nurturing manner and emphasis on a safe and loving environment. The children attending seemed to be thriving and enjoying themselves. They even sang a song while they cleaned up their toy area. I called and interviewed several other parents who have been going to her for years. They raved about her and talked on and on about how great she was.
She didn’t want to jump the gun either. We had to pass her standards as parents too. If we hadn’t asked her a lot of questions and asked for and called references she may have turned us down. She is very big on the parents being involved, concerned and communicative.
We also enjoy the fact that she wants our kids to become comfortable in her house with the other kids. So in the weeks leading up to their first official day we’re dropping them off for half and full day “trial runs”. So far so good. (And dad gets time to do some projects at home) .
We’re feeling confident that we found a great fit!
3 Responses to "No Doubt Here, We Found Mrs. Surefire!"
You’re so lucky! I’ll need to start the search soon for the fall for our new baby (who isn’t even born yet - sometime soon though!) I am not looking forward to this at all. After moving last year we searched for many months before finding a place. Even got rejected from one that we thought we liked because we are Jewish. Scary. Anyway, I have been putting this off but will need to soon as I know that the best daycares fill soon.
Hurray for you! Finding (good, quality) daycare is such an ugly process!! Now, If only she were in our neighborhood…
I like the part where if you hadn’t asked a lot of questions and requested references she might’ve turned you down. A big clue about daycare providers (or any learning or social environment for your kids, for that matter) is how they not only respond to - but also encourage - your questions.
