Conference moira::parenting

    
    It depends what kind of sitter you are looking for.
    Just a few thoughts...
    
    Family Works can give you a list of licensed daycare
    providers (what they are licensed for, their phone number
    and their address) in specific areas. Family Works can also 
    give you an idea if certain providers have openings currently.
    You may have to call them to find out the specifics for the
    summer.
    
    If you are interested in having a high (or middle) schooler 
    care for your child during the summer, you may contact the
    local school guidance councelers and ask about posting a
    job opening. You may do the same for college students also.
    
    You can also post a job opening in the local papers around
    May. 
    
    
    Eva

    I've used Family Works in the past and they have been very helpful
    in the daycare search.  They have home providers and daycare centers on
    their list.  I've found their staff is very freindly and caring.  And
    of course the service is free to Digital employees.
    
    Depending on they age of your child, you may want to do a daycare
    center.  I know when my son was an infant, I wanted him in a home
    environment.  But at 2.5 he was bored.  So I enrolled him in Kid's Inn
    in Merrimack NH (late this past summer).  He loves it.  Lots of 
    activities to keep him busy all day.  
    
    A summer program maybe something to think about.
    
    Chris

    I called local colleges and had them put ads up for me on their jobs
    boards..especially in the early childhood education section..
    
    I found a college student for the summer. She was good, reliable and
    the kids loved her.

    
    I prefer home daycare instead of a center.  My daughter goes to a home
    where a preschool program is taught.  She's does very well.  I like the
    fact that they have more time to give to each child than the centers.
    Also, from what I've seen, kids tend to pick up more bad habits at
    centers than I like.  I realize they'll learn this no matter what but
    I'd rather not have it at such an early age.  I should also add that
    no only bad habits but bad sayings are learned to.
    
    That's my own personal opinion/experience.
    
    

    I don't want to turn this into a daycare center vs home daycare
    debate, but just want to point out that not all daycare centers
    are condusive to picking up bad habits/bad language.  My
    daughter has been in daycare centers for 5 years, and has not
    picked up bad habits or bad language from it.  On the contrary, 
    I am constantly amazed at how much she learns there.
    
    I believe that the issue would be the quality of the care, which 
    can be good or bad, in both daycare centers or home daycare.
    
    Janice

    
    From my experience, my daughter was in a center from 2 yr 9 mos
    thru kindergarten, she did not pick up any bad habits nor bad language. 
    She probably heard all the bad language from me at the driver seat!
    She is 10 now, she does not use (has not used) any fowl langauge.
    Back then, we had to get on a waiting list (a year long) for this center, 
    which was the best daycare/nursery school in the area (Andover/North Andover, 
    MA). The center was run as if it was a private school. So, it all depends 
    on the quality and philosophy of individual provider/center. 
    
    
    Eva
    

    I agree that it's the care and dedication to the child that counts.  I
    went through 2 home providers in 18 months before placing my 2.5 in his
    current center.  He spent ALL of this past summer until I moved him
    indoors.  The home provider didn't let the kids outside (which I
    stressed was a requirement at our interview) and she commonly left her
    eldest son or husband to watch the kids for the last 30-60 minutes so
    she could do her appt.  So, the structure, activities, outside time,
    loving care my son receives now well surpasses his home care.
    
    On the other hand, when my first child was small, his home provider for
    4 years was wonderful (we moved out of state).  So, I can say I've
    experienced good and bad.
    
    Chris
    

    
    I'm not talking about fowl language so much, I'm talking more
    being on the fresh side.  I'm not saying that this happens
    in all daycare centers by no means.  The more kids you have
    in daycare the more they learn, good or bad.  Yes, kids can
    be fresh on their own, trust me I know that.  What I like
    the most about home daycare though is the love that a small
    child needs and the less kids in daycare means the provider
    has more time for each.  I guess it all depends on the luck
    you have/had.  Trust me, I've had some problems with home daycare
    to.
    
    Deb
    

    Gee - I've found that my daughter (age 5) picks up LOTS more bad habits
    (talking back, being rude, etc.) from her friends in the neighborhood
    than in a daycare center.  At daycare, as soon as it's heard the
    behavior is corrected.  Unfortunately, some of the parents in the
    neighborhood find it easier to just let it go.
    
    Irene

All I can imagine is kids running around saying things
like "You turkey!".

:-)

- Deb B.

    I have a question similar to the basenote.  How do you find daycare
    when your child care provider (ie both sets of grandparents) go on
    vacation?  I have a six week interval with no daycare.  Will centers
    take a child for that short a period?  Will in-home care providers
    take a child for that short a period?  Should I burn all of my 
    vacation?  How do you fill in the gaps?
    
    Thanks,
    Terry

    Some centers will take a child for that short of a period. Call the
    Digital childcare referal and they can help you with providers. I not
    burn all my vacation unless I had to.

    
    	
    	When my daycare was on vacation, a stay at home mother that
    	I knew took Lauren for the week.  It worked out great for all
    	because she got the chance to earn a little cash while not
    	being in the business full time and I was able to go to work
    	(well... I guess I got the raw end of the deal!).
    
    	Ask around... there are alot of stay at home mothers, at least
    	in my neighborhood.
    
    	Karen

    
    Hi,
    
    You may want to inquire at your church.  I babysat for people for the
    summer when I was in high school and they got my name from my church.
    
    Peggie

    Great ideas - I love this notes conference.
    
    Thanks,
    Terry