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From: rpm@hlwpc.UUCP (Dick Muldoon)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: paid childcare
Message-ID: <605@hlwpc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 17-Sep-85 16:18:18 EDT
Article-I.D.: hlwpc.605
Posted: Tue Sep 17 16:18:18 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 18-Sep-85 04:03:39 EDT
References: <1159@mhuxo.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Short Hills, NJ
Lines: 33

In <1159@mhuxo.UUCP> wfm1@mhuxo.UUCP (METCALF) asks for opinions on paid
child care.  In Virginia we had our infant daughter with a (state 
certified) home daycare provider.  It was great because Maria--former 
kindergarten teacher--loved kids.  She took at most two infants plus six 
older kids, had a teenage helper, and a house made for daycare--eight 
private naprooms and an immense playroom.  It was as close to a family
environment as we could and ever will find.  We couldn't find the 
certification, the ratio, the house, (or Maria) in daycare in NJ.

Anna (age 3+) now attends Summit Child Care Center part time
and loves it, thanks mostly to a succession of (underpaid) wonderful
teachers.  Lots of exercize, lots of crafts, story-time, creative play 
(e.g., kids are fascinated with story about Jenny, who breaks her arm,
so teacher builds a play-hospital with bandages and stethoscopes, etc.).
Emphasis on socialization--kids learn to play together; discipline by 
"sit in the chair and think about what you did" methods.  Worries about 
"restraint" don't last when you walk in--normal kid din audible through
closed doors.  There's a parent rep network that actively canvasses 
parents for comments/concerns.  (And Family Kitchen--different story.)

Rates (not sure, but close): $150/wk infant care; $75-80/wk preschool; 
$3/hr partime preschool; more for infants.  They also offer 3/4/5 day
nursery school programs at $80/105/120 in place of normal

I don't like "Kids who do are better than kids who don't" claims.
Still, I find it nicer to babysit 4-5 daycare children (any multi-kid
daycare, not just the Summit center) than 4-5 just friends. 
It's no quieter, but there seem to be more group games, more toy-sharing,
more pairs and trios going off together to explore, and lots
of sympathy/hugging for kids who cry or get hurt.  I don't
know if that last part comes from daycare or not, but I like it.

	  Dick Muldoon   hlwpc!rpm AT&T Bell Laboratories