hospital onsite daycare or private daycare?

Dixen81 · Oct 24, 2003

We use an onsite daycare where my husband is a computer programmer. The wonderful advantage is being able to check on our son anytime of the day. Also, I think you get to know the staff better because they're "right there." There have been a couple of times when my son misbehaved in class, and all they had to do was call my husband, and he was able to go right next door and handle the situation. Employee discount is another advantage. We're fortunate that it is a wonderful daycare, and we wouldn't want our son anywhere else.

I have worked in daycares before, and there are some good ones, and there are bad ones. I believe that on onsite daycare would be a better one because they know that the parents are right there in the building and can check on their child anytime.

I would never hire a private sitter in my home without a hidden camera. You just never know how your child is being treated in your absence. My siblings and I were abused and neglected a LOT when we were children by babysitters (my father had custody of all five of us, and worked two jobs to pay for live-in sitters).

Why don't you check the onsite daycare out. Drop by a couple of times, at different times of the day, and see what's going on; what is the teacher/child ratio; is it a safe, clean area; etc. I understand your anxiety completely! Good luck to you!

KristinWW · Oct 24, 2003

Investigate thoroughly!! I have been the daycare route (excuse me, preschool not daycare - they get angry if you call it a daycare if it isn't) and viewed both ends of the spectrum. Ask people you know, watch the caregivers and note how they interact with the kidlets. Search online to see if any violations have occurred or complaints filed. And I would never leave anyone in my house with my kids unless it is a relative, at least not while they are under thirteen.

Onsite places are nice because you are nearby should they need to contact you. Don't count on going to visit while you are working - too difficult to separate for you and them.

Offsite is difficult unless the location is near you. Try getting a call during rush hour to pick up a sick child, then having panic attacks fighting traffic to reach the facility.

Good luck and please post with any additional questions.

manna, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2003

Do hospitals often have onsite daycares? :confused:

deanaRN · Oct 24, 2003

manna- some of the larger hospitals around here do. I am in Arkansas, & we are always the last to implement anything so I am assuming it is commonplace. Some are 24/7 daycares, some just days.

I really worry about leaving my children in the hands of others. No one loves them like I do, so how can I trust them to care for them as I would is my thinking.

If I had someone in my home I would definitely invest in a nannycam. I am not one to trust strangers, especially with my children. I thought maybe with all of the shift changes & parents in & out to pick up their kids that the onsite daycare would at least be more monitered than someone I hired. I would hope the staff would all know CPR & have to take some childcare certification classes, etc.

Katnip, RN · Oct 24, 2003

If the onsite care seems to be decent, I'd rather go for that than private care in the home. You're nearby in case of emergency, you can pop in at any time to observe what's going on, and you can stop in and have lunch now and then.

Private care in the home is much more expensive and from what I hear, very, very difficult to find good, releable care.

kimtab · Oct 26, 2003

Personally, I feel more comfortable using daycare. They are held to State licensing standards, must have certain training, and there are multiple staffers, age groups of kids, and parents present at any one time. A Nanny I don't know, home alone with my child, accountable to no one during the day, and unobservable- that makes me nervous. But of course everyone feels differently.

Check out the onsite daycare the same way you would any other one. class ratios, staff turnover, look at the environment( would YOU want to spend the day there?), go mid morning or mid afternoon for a picture of what it is really like- not during drop-off and pick-up times. And you'll continue to evaluate even after you decide, it took me 3 daycares to find the right one but I finally did, and boy is it a relief to know my son is safe and well cared for during the day.

hanksRN · Oct 30, 2003

It would be my advice and personal opinion only, to you, to work out something where you don't have to use a daycare at all. Children under the ages of 3 are still developing emotionally and continuing to bond. Maybe a night shift so your husband can be there?

Instituionalized child care has become the norm, and we have forgotten what's truly important! Downsize if you have to...you'll have years and years to work when your little one is older! No one at a day care will ever care for your child like you can! And why would they? They make next to nothing to care for the most valuable things in this world...our children!

Speechie · Oct 30, 2003

the daycare at our hospital is one of the top rated centers in our state- top of the line in terms of staff education, no calls to 60 Minutes. i loved it for my kids... i was able to go over and nurse my babies on my lunch time.

congregate care is a risk- my oldest had to have a nanny because her asthma made her susceptible to every bug that wandered through the daycare to the point that i was missing a lot of work. but the younger 2 actually benefited, i think, 'cause they caught a million "subclinical" bugs that have improved their resistance and they've missed less school in subsequent years.

check out the facility. ours is great!