Daycares

After visiting countless home daycares and a couple of Centers, we finally reserved a spot for Nicholas. I can't believe how hard it was compared to what I had gone through for Christine! I guess there were 2 major contributing factors for that:
1 - we had a better network of friends with young children in Brockville so knew our options better than in Fredericton (and thus had many references to find out what the daycare providers are really like)
2 - daycare is more readily available in Brockville compared to Fredericton

Basically for Christine, we knew that there were 2 home daycares and one Center that were French in Brockville and 2 of the 3 had spaces available. So that was easy. We also knew many kids that had gone to the place where Christine ended up going, so it was really a no-brainer. Basically, it was "do you have a spot? great, we'll take it. I guess I should interview you too...".

For Nicholas, well, it was different. Thank goodness for kijiji - that's the only way I was really able to find available home daycares! I called many, visited and interviewed many. I had finally narrowed down to 2 places that I liked, but with the news of having no job, I didn't call them right back. And I lost the spots that were available now... So it was either waiting until April 27th to start working (if-when I find a job!) or look for something else and sign up even with the job. So I went back on the search. I found a couple more home daycares and interviewed them. I also called the Centers and despite the fact that they typically have a waiting list that are miles long, I happened to call just at the right time and got a spot at the Regent Daycare Center.

I totally thought that Nicholas would be going to a home daycare for a little while (until he gets in at the same daycare Christine is in) for a couple of reasons:
1 - my feeling had been that home daycares would be more personal and that he'd adapt more easily
2 - I didn't think I'd get in to a Center anywhere so didn't think it was really an option

What I've found:
- there isn't really much of a standard for home daycares unless they are licensed (which you don't have to be if you have less than 6 kids!!) - 6 kids, can you imagine?!
- I was surprised by how terrible some places were. I'm not sure if this is a F'ton thing or if I would have found the same thing if I had actually interviewed in Brockville
- it dawned on me that 6 babies for 2 adults would be much much more reasonable and they would get their needs met more easily than 4-6 kids including toddlers for 1 adult! I totally think I could handle Nicholas and another couple of babies, but don't give me Christine, Nicholas and too many more... :)

Anyway, I found a place that I'm quite comfortable with. The ladies in the baby room looked so nice and everything seemed to peacefull (wait 'til they meet Nicholas!!). I think he will fit in quite well there. It's fairly close to where Christine goes and the hours are quite good, so it should all work out fairly well. Also, I think that starting at a Center may help him in the transition of going to the daycare Christine goes to when we get an opening. We'll see how it all goes.

I can't believe my baby's going to start daycare though... we'll be starting trials next week...

Now onto the weaning... today was nap # 1 without the boob. Went alright. We had started weaning a few weeks ago through the rest of the day, so only morning and night from this point on. We'll see how long that lasts...