Mark and I are still looking for that perfect fit for Joshua's daycare.
We have known we are not entirely happy with his present daycare for some time now, but had decided that it was in Joshua's best interest not to quickly jump ship to another daycare if we were not convinced it would be a better environment and a better fit for him. Although there are a lot of negatives that we have with regards to his current daycare, Joshua DOES have friends there - friends he speaks about in when at home - and we are certain he is in a safe, clean, well nourished environment. This is why we have told each other we will continue in our quest for what we feel will be a great fit for him (instead of just a suitable fit).
But let me tell you - this is NOT an easy quest to be on!
There are many preconceptions about the Province of Quebec and their daycare system. It is touted as being wonderful as you are eligible for a subsidized spot in either a home daycare or a daycare centre at a mere cost of $7 per day.
We, too were excited about this when we were waiting for the birth of our first child. We did what was recommended and signed our unborn child up for wait-list after wait-list months before his arrival. In reality, Joshua has been on wait lists for daycare centres since September 2006 - 6 months prior to his birth! And yet - still no call for a spot.
Originally, we believed this was because of the shortage of spots available for "poupons" - children under 18 months of age; but, we quickly understood that although on a list, we could easily be "bumped" from our spots by parents who had second children and were looking to have both children in the same centres. Needless to say, it has now been 3 years of waiting on lists for every daycare centre (minus 1) in Aylmer (a total of around 8) with not one call.
Looking at the QUALITY of the daycares which have been subsidised (speaking of the in-home spots, as we have yet to be allowed to see the centres), many of them leave much disappointment.
There HAVE been a couple in home daycares which have left us excited about the possibility of having our child attend - but then we are only one family amongst many who are looking, and inevitably, it is the daycare providers decision, and not yours, whether the spot is yours.
But, I digress... all this to say it is not as wonderful as it sounds.
AND, that our search continues.
And I leave you with a question - does every parent looking for daycare options have the difficulty we have had?
J
3 comments:
Jeff and I were very lucky with our daycare. We were unhappy with our first location, but we told that to the people in charge and they found us a new one, that we loved. We are hoping to get both Emma and Charlotte in with the same person when my mat leave is done. All I can suggest, is that "the sqeaky wheel gets the oil", so just keep calling and calling, so people know you really want in.
April
Hang in there, guys. Be persistant and true to your goals and it will all work out fine.
Terrific fun photo, btw!
XOX G'ma OXO
I've heard a lot of daycare 'horror stories', from both sides of the fence. You'll get there! I need to hear more about what happened--Mark started to fill me in, but it was a little distracting at the pasty!
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