Moms - opinion needed

the_magic_number

***I posted this on Parenting but I am looking for all the opinions that I can get.***

I am faced with a very difficult decision right now. Which of the options below would you choose?

Daycare 1:

DS is currently enrolled (has been since 6-weeks).
He absolutely loves his teachers and DH and I are very comfortable leaving him there
Located about 3 minutes from Tuttle but we live in southern Hilliard and work in Easton
$219 a week

Daycare 2:

Located in Gahanna off Morse Rd. about 5 minutes from work and 30 minutes from home
Under $200 a week (we get a discount with our company)
No indoor gym space

I really love the place we are at now but I keep thinking that I don't like DS being so far away when we are at work and also, the extra $20 a week would be a huge help. So, which would you choose?

aleeandbry

I'm assuming #2 is the Enchanted Care??  If so, my neighbor sends her son there and they are happy with it (she is really picky).  They only had one incident where one of her son's teachers was fired for having an "unhealthy attachment" to the kids.  I know they charge you if you are a minute late to pick up your kid but probably all places are like that.  I would probably switch if I were you but I'm not a mom yet so you can take that with a grain of salt.  )

k&d2006

Is it highly unlikely that you won't be able to get back in Daycare 1 if Daycare 2 doesn't work out for you?

I wish DD was closer to my work, so couple that with less $$, I'd try Daycare 2.

the_magic_number

Actually the second place is KinderCare on Cherry Way (off Cherry Bottom and Morse).  Our current place also charges if we are late but we leave work at 4:30 so it hasn't ever been an issue.

brandonsgrl

The only thing I would worry about is traffic on Morse...will you be able to always pick him up on time? But..you'll spend more time with him because he'll be in the car longer to be dropped off and picked up.

aleeandbry

If you pick him up at 4:30, the traffic won't be bad on Morse.  I haven't heard anything about the KinderCare.

Obwon2

Maybe I am the only one, but I would keep him in #1. You know he likes it, you trust them and it is convenient being close to home.
I would rather have him close to my home-partly in case weather was terrible and dangerous you wouln't have to travel with him that long distance. I see so many accidents coming home when we get a dusting of snow it seems like. and 30 minutes starpped in a car seat 2x a day seems sucky.
and he loves his teachers-that is important. The new place might save you $20 a week, but he might not be happy and be upset from longer car drives and going to a place he does not like. I would not risk moving him.
Just my opinion.

cassiehunt

When we lived in Sunbury Ruby went to a daycare close to home rather than close to work and I really liked it that way. Mostly because the car ride was about 45 minutes to work. She was farther away when I was at work, but I didn't want to drive with her in the car 45 minutes to work and 45 minutes back home. Especially on the days when it was snowy or icy.

PrincessRock

I'm with obwon on this one. If it were me, I would stick with Daycare #1. I know how difficult it is to find a place where you are actually comfortable leaving your child. If you have that now and it's not much more expensive than what your option #2 would be, I'd stay where you are. Here are some things to think about:
1.) if you switch him and end up not liking the new place, what will you do? Could you get him back into Daycare #1?
2.) With the weather potentially getting worse as winter progresses, would it be better to have him closer to home so he's not in the car for the farther drive to your work?
3.) Would it be a hard transition for your DS to move to a new place after being at one he likes for so long?

Just my 2-cents. It sounds like a really hard decision. Go with your gut....that will be what's right for your family. HTH!