Baby Zoo

So, I am happy to report my husband and I are both gainfully employed. I have a much more stable position until fall until I begin my more permanent gig. We are now looking for day care! We have pretty much gone to at least one place a day for the past few days. I must say, I am now perfectly clear on what it is I want in a Day Care. The first place we went, we refer to as the "Shady" place. While the teachers in the infant room seemed pretty decent, there was a pretty shift eyed looking guy in the pre-K room who refused to meet our eyes during the tour. We decided even though they assured us no men would be allowed in the infant room... he would not be going there. The next placed was referred to us by a friend. This place I call the "Baby Zoo". There were 16 SCREAMING infants in the room and 4 totally overwhelmed teachers. One adorable little boy crawled over to my leg when I entered and I swear I just wanted to take him home. The center director said, "Oh, he goes to everyone." Like he was some dog! In NY, it is legally required that there is 4:1 infant - teacher ratio. This place totally took advantage of that limit. Anyway, at least three of the infants had runny noses and were screaming their heads off during the whole duration of our 20 minute tour. Although we liked the women watching the kids, and no shifty eyed men were hanging around, I couldn't allow Isaiah to go there. I just pictured him screaming his little head off and no one paying attention. The past two places we have been I have absolutely loved. Although they are aware of the legal limit, both center directors told me that they would not allow less than 3 teachers in a room with 7 or 8 infants. When we visited, the baby's were happy and smiling. Everyone LOVED Isaiah, who being the little charmer he is flashed his toothless smile to everyone that looked his way. One problem... each place had a wait list AT LEAST until July. I knew that you had to plan in advance but what do people do who need day care last minute! The one place that didn't have a wait list was the place with the shifty eyed guy, hmmm, I wonder why. As each day passes I get more and more nervous. We are considering a nanny but we watch 20/20... I saw The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. And yes, I know about Nanny Cam but Nanny Cam's won't stop a well disguised Crazy from selling my baby on EBay. I haven't give up hope yet... I have three more weeks to secure quality child care otherwise Isaiah will be having tummy time in the jury box at court.

Here is what I want in a DayCare (not necessarily in this order):

1. Open Door Policy, so I can call, drop by, peek through a window or hide under the table or sit outside the door peering in all day if I want to.
2. NO SHIFTY EYED MEN, I liked Mary Poppins, I want non threatening looking women (with or without magical umbrellas), preferably those who have children watching my child.


3. 3:1 or less Adult-Infant ratio, NO BABY ZOOs, I want Isaiah to get as much individual attention as possible so that if he cries, it is for no more than a few minutes.


4. A curriculum, I want Isaiah's genius to be fostered, I want him to be read to, sang to, practice walking and crawling and learn new things.


5. SAFETY, locked doors, take identification, vigorous background checks, blood samples, fingerprints, etc... one place we went we just walked in and no one was at the front desk - NOT COOL.


6. Diversity, I want to make sure all different types of babies, and all different types of adults attend the day care. I don't want someones prejudice getting in the way of taking care of my beautiful son.


7. Separation Program, I want someone who understands Isaiah has been home with me or his Dad this whole time and won't write him off as a bad kid if he cries most of the day his first day, I want to be able to come in a few times before he starts and sit with him while he gets to know the teacher.


8. A place that is on the way to work, well, that's self explanatory.


9. Early and late hours, that way, if I have to work late, I won't have to worry about them leaving Isaiah on the street.


10. Windows, you wouldn't believe how many day cares don't have windows! Please someone explain this to me... I saw Flowers in the Attic, I know what happens to kids with no sun.


11. Organization and Communication, have a system in place that lets me know what my child did today, lets me tell you what I want him to do each day, I want to be a part of his day even though I am not actually there.