Colorado Daycare
Well, Learning Center is more like it...so much for saving money on daycare in Colorado. I'm sure we could have saved money if we found a great home-daycare like we had back in California. CC was the Greatest! And I'm sure a school like this in California would be more expensive than here (or so I would like to believe)...but it is definitely an increase from what we were paying before.
However, since Summer is getting to be so old...haha, 9 months in a week or so. We figured we may as well just find a learning center style of place. We drove to four of them specifically to check them out. Two lost out immediately due to location and the way the building looked, etc. They were in more of the southern end of town and one had gang signs tagged on their garbage dumpster. Too far to drive and they seemed like shady neighborhoods.
The two "good ones" were closer to home. The closer one has a few positive things about it, more versatile for part-time for when we get Jessica to cut back on work hours, etc. However, the bright-white and sharply contrasting blue trim walls seemed kind of industrial/hospital like. The people seemed fine, but the kids seemed a bit quieter, etc. The place we've chosen to check out a little bit more is a place called Primrose.
Tomorrow, Summer will be going to the school for a little bit of a trial run for 4 hours. We got that idea from the place we didn't pick, as they offered a free day to see how Summer would get along. So, with this half-day we'll see how Summer does and how the teachers like her and we'll go from there. If we like it, we'll be starting Summer there on March 20th, when the next spot becomes available.
We really like the place, everyone was nice, the rooms were a bit more subdued in tans and light browns. There was soft wood colored wood cribs instead of starkly white painted wood cribs. The walls had wallpaper borders which gave it a much more homey feel. Also, the windows to the doors are smoked, so you can't see in or out easily, whereas the other place had large plate-glass windows where everyone looked like they were in separate wards, again, of a hospital.
Primrose teachers and staff all go by their names with "Miss" or "Mister" in front of their first names. It is very friendly but respectful. The teachers we met in the infant care section were very sweet, especially Miss Anna. Summer took an immediate liking to her. We also met with the next level up, Miss Teddy, whom also seemed very friendly and Summer liked her, as well. So, with those two primary people Summer seems that she would be in good, LOVING hands.
Oh, and another thing, speaking of hands, a big positive about this place is they teach ASL (American Sign Language) to help the children communicate their needs and desires. That is something I am really keen on, as I want to be able to communicate with Summer as soon as possible to make everyone's life easier. We are already trying to teach her little things like eat/food, bottle/drink, cat... Others she will learn are more, thank you, mom, dad, potty/diaper... This will be very nice, and Primrose was the only place that had teacher trained in all classes to teach the kids.
So, anyway, as first mentioned, all of this comes at a price...yikes! But, we'll be able to work it out. Only the best for our little Sum-Sum! And when she's about a year and moving up to the young-toddler class, there is possibly an option to go to a Mon-Wed-Fri part time schedule, which by then, maybe Jess will be able to adjust her schedule to work just those three days. Then the cost impact won't be so severe.
It this place does not work out, we've driven by a few others just north of us, but haven't looked into them beyond that.
I'll let ya'll know how Summer's half-day goes tomorrow.
However, since Summer is getting to be so old...haha, 9 months in a week or so. We figured we may as well just find a learning center style of place. We drove to four of them specifically to check them out. Two lost out immediately due to location and the way the building looked, etc. They were in more of the southern end of town and one had gang signs tagged on their garbage dumpster. Too far to drive and they seemed like shady neighborhoods.
The two "good ones" were closer to home. The closer one has a few positive things about it, more versatile for part-time for when we get Jessica to cut back on work hours, etc. However, the bright-white and sharply contrasting blue trim walls seemed kind of industrial/hospital like. The people seemed fine, but the kids seemed a bit quieter, etc. The place we've chosen to check out a little bit more is a place called Primrose.
Tomorrow, Summer will be going to the school for a little bit of a trial run for 4 hours. We got that idea from the place we didn't pick, as they offered a free day to see how Summer would get along. So, with this half-day we'll see how Summer does and how the teachers like her and we'll go from there. If we like it, we'll be starting Summer there on March 20th, when the next spot becomes available.
We really like the place, everyone was nice, the rooms were a bit more subdued in tans and light browns. There was soft wood colored wood cribs instead of starkly white painted wood cribs. The walls had wallpaper borders which gave it a much more homey feel. Also, the windows to the doors are smoked, so you can't see in or out easily, whereas the other place had large plate-glass windows where everyone looked like they were in separate wards, again, of a hospital.
Primrose teachers and staff all go by their names with "Miss" or "Mister" in front of their first names. It is very friendly but respectful. The teachers we met in the infant care section were very sweet, especially Miss Anna. Summer took an immediate liking to her. We also met with the next level up, Miss Teddy, whom also seemed very friendly and Summer liked her, as well. So, with those two primary people Summer seems that she would be in good, LOVING hands.
Oh, and another thing, speaking of hands, a big positive about this place is they teach ASL (American Sign Language) to help the children communicate their needs and desires. That is something I am really keen on, as I want to be able to communicate with Summer as soon as possible to make everyone's life easier. We are already trying to teach her little things like eat/food, bottle/drink, cat... Others she will learn are more, thank you, mom, dad, potty/diaper... This will be very nice, and Primrose was the only place that had teacher trained in all classes to teach the kids.
So, anyway, as first mentioned, all of this comes at a price...yikes! But, we'll be able to work it out. Only the best for our little Sum-Sum! And when she's about a year and moving up to the young-toddler class, there is possibly an option to go to a Mon-Wed-Fri part time schedule, which by then, maybe Jess will be able to adjust her schedule to work just those three days. Then the cost impact won't be so severe.
It this place does not work out, we've driven by a few others just north of us, but haven't looked into them beyond that.
I'll let ya'll know how Summer's half-day goes tomorrow.
posted by Erick and Jess @ 11:20 PM
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