Yesterday was Everett's first day at daycare. Let me just say, before he was born, we checked out a lot of daycares. It seemed like we were just never going to find a place we were comfortable with. After a long search, we wound up at a home daycare that we really enjoyed when we visited it. Aside from a seemingly flighty owner, the place seemed to be the best option on the table. We left there feeling very posititve about it, which was a first. So we secured our spot.
Last week, I took Ev for a short visit to introduce him to the caretakers. I was less than impressed and started to worry about the big day looming over me. In a nutshell, the girls seemed both disinterested in him and uncomfortable with such a young baby. And as I left to get in my car, I could have sworn I smelled like smoke.
I thought maybe I was being a little too harsh, so although uneasy, I didn't make a big deal about it. Fast forward to yesterday, the big drop-off day. When we arrived, the owner was the only one there, but she assured me that she'd brought an additional girl on (for a total of 3) for the day so that someone could hold him the whole day. I returned at 1:00 to get him, to find one girl present in the entire daycare. With 10 or 11 kids. The owner and the additional girl were nowhere to be found. The older kids were all in a room by themselves with no one watching them (it was naptime, but I highly doubt that makes it okay), and the lone caretaker was in the baby room with the 4 little ones. Holding Ev? Not a chance.
I waited around for 10-15 minutes before the other girl returned, as I needed to speak with her about how Ev's feedings went. She walked in and there it was again: the smoke smell. I know that I personally don't care to be around smokers, so I certainly don't want my little one being around smokers.
At this point, I am really at a loss as to what to do. Red flags seem to be going up left and right, but am I searching for a reason to pull him from daycare? Does anyone really leave daycare day 1 feeling like "yeah, that was great!"? Am I justified in being concerned enough to pull him from this place? Unfortunately, we have no other place to take him... our 2nd in line has a mile long waiting list. (Really. I called this morning and they are booked until 2012.)
What in the world are we supposed to do?!?
3 comments:
Boooooo! That really stinks!I know something better will come along and you will feel much more comfortable about it. Maybe that means staying home full time... :)
Would love to talk to you about this! Trust your heart...if you don't think it's right it's probably not. I would pray about it and let all your friends know you are looking! I changed caregivers last year and it was totally a god thing. He opened doors I didn't know about!!
I was so sad to read this. Adam's old daycare is in Portage, and I loved them. It is not a home enviroment, but the owner treats it like that. let me know if you want the number. You have to trust your heart.
Jamie-
Post a Comment