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The Modern-day Daycare
Meeting the Needs of Moms and Babies
By Sharon Broz
Many expectant parents worry that they won't find a daycare center they trust. And the search can be challenging – centers vary in size, the amount of structure they provide, the amount of flexibility they allow and the services they offer beyond childcare.
Like anything, different parents prioritize different attributes. Talking to parents who have had a successful experience and fully exploring local options can help a family define their needs. For many babies and parents, a day at daycare is a highly positive experience.
Charisse Kiino of Washington, D.C., feels fortunate. She knew that her manager's two children had an excellent experience at Huckleberry Cheesecake. Once her first trimester ended, she was confident about sharing her good news and marched right over and added her baby to the waiting list. And it's a good thing she didn't procrastinate – the center is so popular that she ended up having to find an interim program for Jake for six weeks before a spot opened up. In the end she was just thankful he was able to get in.
"I just loved what I saw," says Kiino. "The emphasis on low staff turnover allows my son to bond with his caregivers. The rooms are clean, bright and cheery. They have two dimly-lit side rooms that are used for naptime, so Jake gets tucked in with his blanket in a quiet setting instead of sleeping in a swing or bouncy seat in the midst of activity. Most importantly, since the center is two blocks from my office, I go there everyday at lunch to nurse Jake. Since I commute to work, if I had a nanny at home that's something I wouldn't be able to do."
Jamie Shepard of Richmond, Va., had a similar experience registering her son Dylan for daycare. "When I spoke with parents in our community association, they all raved about the same daycare provider," she says. When Jamie was 6 months pregnant, she inquired about a spot and was told they weren't accepting any more infants. Luckily, they called back two weeks later and said they would welcome her baby when he arrived.
"The center is very small and extremely flexible," says Shepard. "When I first started leaving my son there, they didn't mind that I called several times a day to check on him. My son loves the caregiver, Nancy, so much he calls her Nana. All the children do! Additionally, Nancy has taken care of so many children that she brings her experience to us. She was the one that recognized that Dylan was having difficulty on his formula and suggested we try a different type. As a first-time mom, it is nice to have someone else offering us guidance."
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