Daycare Decisions

Since Izzy started daycare a month ago, ive been thinking about this post in the back of my mind. The first week, the post would have read like a Im-such-a-horrible-mom to leave my helpless 5 month old at this "center" where there are tons of kids everywhere and she wont nap. Week 2 would have been titled: Ode to Care -- as she had settled in, was "painting," sleeping like a champ and learning amazing new tricks. Posts from week 3 would have been about the fact that we really love how diverse the center is. Because it is located at a T (subway) stop and is on the cheaper / more flexible end of care in this area, its not all white, upper-middle class english-speaking kids/families. I feel like Izzy's classroom is the poster picture of diversity - until we realized that she brought the "gay" we were worried she had little to contribute. And the assistant teacher talks to the kids in Spanish, which we also love.

And now, the theme for week 4 is DECISIONS. After Izzy had been at the center for exactly 2 hours, and we decided we didn't like how "institutional" and big it felt, I contacted 2 family daycare places in our neighborhood. One had an immediate opening, but we didnt love it and the days didnt end up working for us but the second one we LOVED. It is run by an adorable Nepalese couple who have two teen-aged kids who are sometimes around in the afternoon. Izzy would be the only infant (the other 4 kids are toddlers, but have been with them since they were weeks old). The entire aura of the place exudes C-A-L-M. The couple who run it immediately engaged with Izzy, boasted about the fact that "their kids" all learn to crawl, walk and talk early and even mentioned that they give all of the infants massage in the afternoon to calm then down for their naps (where can I sign-up, right?). Both W and I felt like not only would Izzy be watched for 3 days a week, but we basically get two advice nurses as part of the deal. Izzy is definitely a handfull (we call her the honeybadger -- she TAKES what she wants and she dont care...) and it would be nice to have their expertise at our disposal. It is slightly less flexible and slightly more expensive, but for the past few weeks we have been thinking that come Sept, when they have an opening, we will transition her.

BUT -- This week, we are starting to reconsider. We really like the place she is now and are feeling torn about transitioning her from somewhere that she obviously likes and works for us. Sure, its a big center, but EVERY SINGLE staff member knows her name. The kids all seem happy and she is in a room full of infants (usually 5 or 6) her age or a bit older. Because its a center, they are able to be more flexible (swapping days, later or early pick-up/drop off, etc). I am not sure the teachers have as much invested in each kid as they seem to at the family daycare, but they engage with the kids, take them on walks and outside to the playground and Izzy seems happy to see them when I drop her off. She is napping well, eating well and hasn't gotten sick yet -- plus they are willing to deal with our cloth diapers.

Obviously, its a great position to be in, when you have two (seemingly) great options. The center is a "known" -- family daycare is an "unknown" -- The phrase "if its not broken, why fix-it" keeps coming to mind. Plus Izzy is with W's mom two days/week so she gets the "home" atmosphere on those days...but, but, but...

as you can see -- I am even able to go back and forth in a single sentence..

so -- any advice?

and a photo (montage!) for your troubles...