Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Chris,
    
    I had this same question when I was pregnant.  Towards the end of my
    pregnancy I made some calls just to find out rates, policies etc.  I
    was looking at family daycare for when my child would be about 4 months
    old.  No provider would commit an opening to me for 6 months out into
    the future.  Most said to call back after the baby was born.
    
    You may want to do some interviewing just to get a feel for what you
    like/dislike and what you would require for your child.
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Lauren

We adopted our daughter as a newborn ... and we, too, received the same
response -- they wouldn't hold an opening for us and told us to arrange 
an interview AFTER the baby's born and you're READY to make a daycare 
commitment ON THE SPOT!

Two years ago, it was real difficult to find an opening at a good (recommended)
daycare for a newborn.  Many daycare centers are NOT regulated for newborns
and those that are have a limited number they can accept.  It's also a lot
more expensive for a child under 15 months (eg. $160/wk vs. $140 wk) --
probably because the provider/child ratio is much smaller (1:2 vs. older
kids which is more like 1:4).

It seemed much EASIER and CHEAPER to find homecare for a newborn (I'm glad
Jim/I were able to flex hours the first year!) ... and I do think a very
young child adjusts to homecare easier than daycare.  After the first year
we did hire a "friend" (homecare), which seemed to be GREAT in the
beginning, but deterioriated quite quickly.  At 18 months, we found an
excellent Learning Center ($133/week) which fit BOTH Juli's needs ... and
our needs.

When I pursued "daycare" (3 months ago) I was AMAZED to find that ALL
daycare centers I contacted HAD IMMEDIATE OPENINGS.  You could pick and
choose to your heart's content.  I also noticed that the prices had
dropped "some", too.  I also noticed a lot of homecare providers have
openings as well.  So I doubt you will have trouble finding an opening
"on short notice", HOWEVER, it is definately a learning experience with
tons of pros and cons, so I, too, recommend that you spend as much time
as you can "interviewing" ... both homecare and daycare ... to get a good
feeling of what's available, the differences, which one "best" fits you
AND YOUR BABY'S needs ... and then go from there.

As so many noters have said in the past ... "we thought we had the absolute
best, most wonderful care provider UNTIL "SHE" LEFT AND WE HAD TO CHANGE
... now we have a BETTER ONE! ...".   So true!

Sure would help you to collect as much data and get involved now so you
have a clearer picture when the time comes that you're ready to make the
commitment.

Just my two cents!
Dottie

    
    Just a word of caution:
    
    When we were looking for daycare for our yet-to-be-born son, we
    selected a center (in Hudson).   We were told that to "guarantee
    a spot", we had to put down one weeks tuition, a $25 application
    fee, and $3 for a changing table pad to be used by our child.
    Total: $168
    
    After he was born and about one month before needing the care to
    start, I started calling this center to arrange to bring my son
    by for a trial run or whatever.  I was never allowed to speak to
    the director nor did she return any of my 4 phone calls.  Suffice
    to say, I decided that I didn't want my baby son to go to a center
    that was this unprofessional.  Think I got my money back?  Not a 
    chance!   An expensive lesson, that's for sure.
    
    If this is your first child, and in this market as Dottie points
    out, I'd recommend holding off on your decision until after the
    baby is born....so much can change and it is very difficult to 
    know what exactly you'll want to do until that time.  It is probably
    well worthwhile to research in advance so that you know the variety
    of options available....but don't sink any money into it!!!
    
    Carol

    I'd suggest that you start looking/thinking about things soon.  You
    won't really know what you want until after the baby's born, but you
    probably have the time and energy now.  I'd recommend that you look at
    centers, now, and try to get a few possibilities lined up.  Then, after
    the baby's born, you could interview family care providers.  If you
    wanted to go through a "nanny agency", some have lengthy application
    processes, so you might want to start that now, too.  
    
    You'll be exhausted, and your emotions will probably be in a turmoil
    right after that baby's born, so I'd try to get as much out of the way
    now as possible.  
    
    With my first, I started at about 5 months pregnant, and "reserved" a
    spot for my daughter at two centers.  This was three and a half years
    ago, when all centers were full.  When I was calling around, one
    director asked "Are you pregnant yet?".  I thought she was joking, but
    she said that some people put there names on her waiting list BEFORE
    THEY CONCEIVED.  
    
    Good luck.
    
    Susan

    I started looking at daycare centers when I was about 6 months
    pregnant. It can't hurt to look early, because that way you can
    eliminate the places you wouldn't want your child in. When you
    go, you can put your name on a waiting list. Alot of places I
    looked at didn't require money up front, and they had spaces 
    available right away. This way you get the looking out of the
    way before the baby is born, and you have alot more energy.
    
    Once you have decided on a few of them. If you have a particular
    one you liked, like we did, you can put a deposit down if you
    wish to save the spot. Otherwise, you could probably wait until
    the baby is born and drop by to visit you favorite place with
    the baby. This way you can see how the people work and how the
    baby reacts. 
    
    It's alot of work to search around for a place, so I would look
    before the baby is born since you'll have more time and energy.
    But as someone suggested in a previous note, you could always 
    interview in home care people after the baby is born. You 
    really don't get a sense of what you would like until you have
    spend a little time with the newborn, and see how they react to
    things. 
    
    Good luck, it's alot of work but it sure is worth it!!!
    
    Sheila
    

    I guess I'll be in the minority here, but I feel *after* the baby is
    born is enough time to find daycare.  You've got a minimum of 6 weeks,
    a majority of people takes at least a few extra weeks through
    acumulated vacation time, generally.
    
    From my experience, and with the cooperation of the Digital referal
    services (Child Care Connection, Child Care Search), to whom I'll be
    eternally grateful, I was able to pin down a good in home daycare
    provider within a week, a week and a half on the worst case.  All this
    and even with AJ's colostomy.  
    
    I figure you're taking the time before birth to get some rest to endure
    labor, not run around, plus you'll have a better idea of your newborn's
    temperament, and any problems (colic or anything else more major) than
    of course won't present until after birth.
    
    Lyn

    It's never taken us more than a week and a half to find good
    in-home daycare or a preschool opening.  If one of us had been
    solely responsible for the looking and the decision, it might have
    taken up to two weeks.  
    
    I don't have any experience with infant daycare centers -- we
    didn't consider it a suitable environment for a newborn -- so I 
    don't know how much longer that might take.  
    
    --bonnie

    RE: .7
    
    I might not take more than a week and a half to find good daycare
    in your case, Bonnie, since you know what you're looking for.
    It might take longer for someone who is going through the process
    for the first time; which might be why some people are recommending
    beginning the search a bit earlier.
    
    Carol

    Good point, Carol -- although that did include our first time,
    which was the quickest. 
    
    But we use the infallible "what does the baby think" babysitter
    test (how do the baby and the sitter interact?) coupled with the
    almost-as-infallible "what are the sitter's kids like?" test and
    the "how does the sitter interact with her own kids?"  
    
    We found it actually gets harder when the child gets older and
    factors such as learning styles, total programs, equipment,
    teachers, and so on have to be taken into account as well.
    
    --bonnie