The Daycare Search
Despite the rain, Dana and I toured nine daycare centers around our area and Dana’s workplace. We narrowed down to two choices: Horizon Child Development Center in Fairfax and Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia.
Both facilities are the cleanest. What sets Horizon apart is that it is the only place that has a full-time nurse on site and the cheapest fee ($270/week) out of all the centers. The staff appeared to be passionate and the kids looked happy. They waved and smiled as we entered (with our shoes off). When it was nap time, some of the kids just laid down with a bottle in their hands. They seemed to behaved well. They also get to learn sign language, music and Spanish. The only down side is that it is not too convenient for either of us. The traffic from our house to the facility is a bit crazy and the late pickup fee is $5/minute.
The Jewish Community Center, on the other hand, is a bit more convenient for us, but the tuition is also a bit higher ($1,350/month plus $70 monthly membership fee). The caregivers seemed care-giving and the kids appeared to be happy to be there. It had a good vibe. Jewish folks seemed nice and friendly, my only little worry is that Duke is the only none-Jewish baby. Is that even an issue?
We still have a bit of time to decide since grandma has extended her time until next summer. Grandpa worried that January would be too cold to take Duke to the daycare so he asked grandma to stay a bit longer. How sweet of him? We still want to get Duke to the daycare though so he’ll learn to get along with other kids. Unlike his daddy, Cu Dao seems to be a very outgoing baby. He loves to go outside and meets other people.
I don’t think Cu Dao’s being non-Jewish would be a problem. Most Jewish people I know are very tolerant (except for the very Orthodox) of others, probably due to their being victimized in the past. I have never been cornered by a Jew in the street for the purpose of conversion (I call this phenomenon of being tagged for conversion by Western religious groups WWLA- Walking While Looking Asian), hehe.
Thanks, I wouldn’t think it’s going to be an issue either, but kids are kids.
it was a headache for me too while I was looking for the right daycare for Noah. We looked at 5 or 6 different places. Fortunately two of my colleagues have their kids at this place and after visiting the facility, we felt right. The staff were attentive and they love children. The physical facility is clean and safe with a great security system. The owners, having kids themselves, understand what’s like to leave children in daycare so their philosophy and motto are on par with what we look for.
In regards to your choice at the Jewish Community Center, I don’t think that most of the kids there are Jewish, and if they are, it’s not a big issue at all, or else they would not open up for non-Jewish families. I live in a very Jewish-oriented town, and some daycare centers are exclusively for Jewish families. There is one just two blocks away from my house. Unfortunately we are unable to enroll Noah due to said reason, or else it would be so convenient.
Noah is having a great time at the daycare thus far. I am happy that he is learning other skills that we aren’t or unable to provide for him when he is at home with us. Learning sign language and Spanish is also a plus for him too…although that won’t happen until he is old enough to comprehend the knowledge.
Good luck with the search…and trust your instinct. Duke is getting handsomer each time you posted his photo.
Cool, thanks. We still have a few places to check out. Noah is mad cute as well.
Go with the one with RN on site.