Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site hlwpc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!mhuxv!mhuxh!hlexa!hlwpc!rpm From: rpm@hlwpc.UUCP (Dick Muldoon) Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: Re: paid childcare Message-ID: <605@hlwpc.UUCP> Date: Tue, 17-Sep-85 16:18:18 EDT Article-I.D.: hlwpc.605 Posted: Tue Sep 17 16:18:18 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 18-Sep-85 04:03:39 EDT References: <1159@mhuxo.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Short Hills, NJ Lines: 33 In <1159@mhuxo.UUCP> wfm1@mhuxo.UUCP (METCALF) asks for opinions on paid child care. In Virginia we had our infant daughter with a (state certified) home daycare provider. It was great because Maria--former kindergarten teacher--loved kids. She took at most two infants plus six older kids, had a teenage helper, and a house made for daycare--eight private naprooms and an immense playroom. It was as close to a family environment as we could and ever will find. We couldn't find the certification, the ratio, the house, (or Maria) in daycare in NJ. Anna (age 3+) now attends Summit Child Care Center part time and loves it, thanks mostly to a succession of (underpaid) wonderful teachers. Lots of exercize, lots of crafts, story-time, creative play (e.g., kids are fascinated with story about Jenny, who breaks her arm, so teacher builds a play-hospital with bandages and stethoscopes, etc.). Emphasis on socialization--kids learn to play together; discipline by "sit in the chair and think about what you did" methods. Worries about "restraint" don't last when you walk in--normal kid din audible through closed doors. There's a parent rep network that actively canvasses parents for comments/concerns. (And Family Kitchen--different story.) Rates (not sure, but close): $150/wk infant care; $75-80/wk preschool; $3/hr partime preschool; more for infants. They also offer 3/4/5 day nursery school programs at $80/105/120 in place of normal I don't like "Kids who do are better than kids who don't" claims. Still, I find it nicer to babysit 4-5 daycare children (any multi-kid daycare, not just the Summit center) than 4-5 just friends. It's no quieter, but there seem to be more group games, more toy-sharing, more pairs and trios going off together to explore, and lots of sympathy/hugging for kids who cry or get hurt. I don't know if that last part comes from daycare or not, but I like it. Dick Muldoon hlwpc!rpm AT&T Bell Laboratories Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com