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BR: Daycare centers

Anybody have any daycare center recs?

My almost 2 yo is in an in-home right now but thinking about switching her to a center with more structure/activies/etc as she is very active. Also have 2nd baby on the way at the end of this year so trying to think ahead.

TIA!

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Re: BR: Daycare centers

  • Not sure where you live but we love Little Wonders in Waukee.  Your two year old is at the age where she will learn sign language, Spanish, etc.  Its fairly new, very clean, and the owner is awesome.  When we signed up the rates were 179/week for a 2 year old.
    Married 08.22.09 Ryan 01.07.2011
  • We currently go to Traditions in Urbandale and really like it there.. my 3 yr old has learned so much and my 1 yr old is thriving too. We used to go to Childtime downtown and really like it as well..
    Mommy of 3! Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I just started DS 3 days per week half days (from 730a until noon).

    We started DS for the same reasons you listed. He's been SAH since the beginning and despite our having kindermusik, play dates, reading/story hour, adventures around town during the week - it is the socialization with other children his age without mama being there for him to fall back on that we feel he needs.

    We are also are starting adoption for #2 which was the secondary reason for getting DS settled into a half day routine outside of home. 

    My recommendation is to just make a list of places near you or that you've heard of and call to see if they have openings (many did not when I called) and then schedule tours. I toured about 6 places and I usually could tell within 60 seconds if it was right (though I politely let the director finish the tour).

    We picked kindercare on university/urbandale (I toured the other kindercares near us in WDM and I thought they were terrible. I also toured other places that were okay but we really wanted DS to not be the only brown face in the class). It's preparation for early preschool which he will start at children's montessori in August five days a week for half days. 

    Good luck! 

  • imagejacksjerseygirl:

    My recommendation is to just make a list of places near you or that you've heard of and call to see if they have openings (many did not when I called) and then schedule tours. I toured about 6 places and I usually could tell within 60 seconds if it was right (though I politely let the director finish the tour).

    Good luck! 

    I did some of this before, just trying to get more ideas of places actual people like. I don't want to waste time on dirty nasty ones!

    Thanks for the recs guys.

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  • AND to keep in mind that everyone has their own bias. While we are finding the kindercare on university to be great - I know many people who think that kindercare regardless of location is a horrible program. I agree that the others I toured here are horrible but this one is different than the others. 

    Likewise, we have friends who have taken their kids out of Traditions because they were leaving babies in cribs too long - but others, such as above, have obviously had great results. 

    Your mileage may vary based on a number of factors. So I just recommend touring a bunch of places. And, then doing a trial day. At kindercare I did a trial day in which I stayed with DS and we did all of the activities together with the class. It was good for him to get used to a new place with me there and good for me to see all aspects of the teachers and how they operate.  

  • imagejacksjerseygirl:

    AND to keep in mind that everyone has their own bias. While we are finding the kindercare on university to be great - I know many people who think that kindercare regardless of location is a horrible program. I agree that the others I toured here are horrible but this one is different than the others. 

    Likewise, we have friends who have taken their kids out of Traditions because they were leaving babies in cribs too long - but others, such as above, have obviously had great results. 

    Your mileage may vary based on a number of factors. So I just recommend touring a bunch of places. And, then doing a trial day. At kindercare I did a trial day in which I stayed with DS and we did all of the activities together with the class. It was good for him to get used to a new place with me there and good for me to see all aspects of the teachers and how they operate.  

    Good call, thanks for that reminder.

    I hate looking for daycare! Maybe I'll win the megamillions tonight and not have to worry about it Stick out tongue

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  • We have been very happy with Apple Tree Children's Center. Our DD goes to the one on 86th in Urbandale, but I have also heard good things about several other locations. I think they are a nice company overall.
  • imageskh_emj_2009:
    We have been very happy with Apple Tree Children's Center. Our DD goes to the one on 86th in Urbandale, but I have also heard good things about several other locations. I think they are a nice company overall.

    I second Apple Tree we are at the one in Clive. LOVE my daughters "teacher" and everyone else there.

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