At first it seemed like the ideal situation.
She brought me presents. Checked to see how I was doing.
Sent text messages. Made sure I was okay and happy with how things were going.
Then slowly things started to deteriorate. The communication was becoming less and less. She kept wanting more time apart. Making ridiculous demands.
I just wasn't happy with the way things were going. Especially with how much I was paying for her services.
So I started calling around. Making a few visits. Lining up other prospects.
I didn't want to go through with it but I was afraid the time had come.
I'm going to have to break up with Jellybean's daycare.
I interviewed and visited the place I am leaning towards. Joey still needs to go pay a visit. I really, really like their program and approach though.
The current day care isn't working for me for a multitude of reasons. Their open door policy really isn't one. You can't go in and actually be with your child. When I go at lunch I have to go outside with him. I end up nursing him in my car pretty often. I don't mind on nice days when we can go to the park but it's not the ideal situation. Meals are not included in what I pay so every night I have to scramble to pack his meals for the next day after finishing dinner, baths and bedtime. Her rate doesn't decrease until he is 2. I don't see lesson plans or know what types of activities he was working on that week or what I can reinforce at home. I've never gotten an incident report even when he's visibly bonked himself. There is always a new holiday they are closed for and no leniency in paying late if let's say he was sick for an entire week and I wasn't going to drive 25 miles to make a payment rather than wait for Monday. Also no option to use that week he was gone as a vacation week despite the fact that I never used ours last year.
So the new place. I felt like I was having an affair. I snuck over at lunchtime with Jellybean to check it out. It was fate from the first moment. The owners name - also Diana. How could I not like it. 6 students to a teacher for ones and twos. No infants. They stress vocabulary, bilingual education and plenty of sensory activities - like what I do with him at home. Meals are provided. They have a uniform. The rate is $25 less a week through August. All of the closings match up with my days off of work. As soon as I mentioned I was still nursing Jellybean she immediately said "Oh well you can send milk or come in and feed him. Whatever works for you. I don't have a rocking chair anymore though." So I can come nurse him before nap time there and get him to settle down. Anytime I want. The more she talked and I visited the more I loved it. They go all the way through Pre-K with certified teachers. Lots of outdoor time.
It's hard to make a change. I know he gets attention and love where he is now but educationally I don't think they are doing enough. I feel like I'm always trying to make up for things he doesn't get there. I also hate that their open door policy really isn't. I need a place that will let me come in and get down on the floor and play with him a minute if he isn't ready to leave. Not rush me out the door with a see you tomorrow.
So on Monday - when his current day care is closed AGAIN for President's Day, Jellybean is doing a trial day at the new place. To see how we both like it. If all goes well - we will give our two weeks notice the next day at his current facility and make the break.
Because my job is to make sure he is getting everything he needs and sometimes that means drastic changes. Even if they are hard for both of us at first.
This post is linked up with Shell as part of Pour Your Heart Out Wednesdays.
