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Daycare- Is this normal?

So we have a daycare lined up (kinda, sorta).  However, we have not made a visit to this particular place yet, but she has us down as starting end of Jan/early Feb. I called today to see if we could come in for a visit (we obviously want to visit a few times before sending our baby there). The woman told me the next few weeks weren't good because they are very busy with Christmas. I guess in addition to the daycare she has 3 kids of her own and they have Christmas parties, plays, etc. She told me to call back after Christmas and schedule a visit. I'm not sure I like that I can't just come in and check things out without making an appointment.....Is that normal to have to make an appointment to go visit??? Should I totally dismiss her because of this?

Re: Daycare- Is this normal?

  • Hmm

    there has to be time in the next 3 weeks for you to visit, unless she is closing the daycare for a vacation.

    It seems a little sketch, but I don't think I would scrap her as my provider.

    And who wants their children to celebrate Christmas for 3 weeks at DC? kind of sets the parents up for a rough witching hour.

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  • No, that doesn't seem normal.  Every time I've looked at a daycare I've been offered to come visit as soon as the following day.  I would let her know you understand it's a busy time for her, but that it's important to you to visit before making a decision, can she please throw out a few times that are better for her, and see what she says.
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  • imageMA&CB:
    No, that doesn't seem normal.  Every time I've looked at a daycare I've been offered to come visit as soon as the following day.  I would let her know you understand it's a busy time for her, but that it's important to you to visit before making a decision, can she please throw out a few times that are better for her, and see what she says.

    This.  We set up an appt to see DCP but it was for the next day they had off, and happened to be a day off for them too.  It was nice to see them and discuss things one on one, but I would have like to see them in action too.  As long as they have an open door policy otherwise, I wouldn't cross them off the list.  

    We can stop by DCP anytime, but they prefer we take T and leave.  To them it's disruptive to stay and visit, because the other kids obviously finds it kinda cool to have a visitor.  KWIM??

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  • Granted, we've only looked at one, but they invited us to come within a few days of calling. She did have times that she preferred we go, so that we didn't interrupt the kids' naps, but other than that they seemed pretty open. It wouldn't make me rule it out, but it is odd. 
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  • imageMA&CB:
    No, that doesn't seem normal.  Every time I've looked at a daycare I've been offered to come visit as soon as the following day.  I would let her know you understand it's a busy time for her, but that it's important to you to visit before making a decision, can she please throw out a few times that are better for her, and see what she says.

    Agreed! When we have visited the DCP has wanted to set up an appointment to be sure she has quiet time to talk with us, answer questions, etc with minimal distractions. For our current place, we signed up in June, but Eli didn't start until the end of August. We were told we could stop by any time to hang out for a bit to help him (and us!) feel comfortable. I agree that I wouldn't scratch the option, but it seems a little sketchy.

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  • imageSBTibbs:

    imageMA&CB:
    No, that doesn't seem normal.  Every time I've looked at a daycare I've been offered to come visit as soon as the following day.  I would let her know you understand it's a busy time for her, but that it's important to you to visit before making a decision, can she please throw out a few times that are better for her, and see what she says.

    Agreed! When we have visited the DCP has wanted to set up an appointment to be sure she has quiet time to talk with us, answer questions, etc with minimal distractions. For our current place, we signed up in June, but Eli didn't start until the end of August. We were told we could stop by any time to hang out for a bit to help him (and us!) feel comfortable. I agree that I wouldn't scratch the option, but it seems a little sketchy.

    I just went through this with the boys.  Because of work and what not the best time we could visit our DCP was around pick up time, so she asked if we could come in 15 minutes prior to that so we could chat, and she could give us a thorough tour of the place, and then answer questions.  It was actually good to see how pick up worked for some parents and the DCP in action.  Since we visited when we did we were able to see the toddler room in action as well. (which was our deciding factor on this DC). 

    Long story short, I agree it is a little sketchy, but I wouldn't scratch them out yet. Good luck.

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  • Having worked in childcare, having Evie in daycare and planning on opening my own someday, I would not be comfortable with it. It is important for a parent to go in and see where their child will spend majority of their time. It will also give you a better feeling and gut instinct. I visited Evie's first daycare twice, once while I was pregnant and once right before she was going to be there. The second time I got this funny feeling and was not feeling right about it but took it as new mommy nerves. I should have followed my instinct ?as we were not happy there. You should be able to visit multiple times and make sure you are comfortable.
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  • That is strange.  Maybe she wants you to see "normal" and with the holidays coming it's out of the ordinary.

    Either way that raises red flags for me.

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  • imageGlitzyklm:

    That is strange.  Maybe she wants you to see "normal" and with the holidays coming it's out of the ordinary.


    This was the impression that I got from talking to her. We'll still go visit, but we also have a few others on our list as well in case we get bad vibes from her while we're there. 

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