The Daycare Saga Concludes (I Hope)
We seem to have resolved the daycare crisis.
Here's what happened:
We registered with an agency that matches children with home day care providers. They have a good reputation and came highly recommended by long-time friends of ours. They found us a provider, arranged an interview and set up the placement once we gave them the go-ahead. DP was happy, we were happy and all was good.
The agency enforces the regulations set out by the Day Nursery Act. There is a rule that states that a home care-giver cannot have more than 5 charges (including his/her own kids) and of those five, no more than 2children can be under 2 years old.
The agency sends people to conduct random home visits as part of their service. Yesterday, such a visit occurred at DP's daycare. And what they discovered is that his provider had taken on a one-year-old charge. This was done privately -- not through the agency (which is allowed). And because his provider also has a child of her own under two, she had exceeded the small children limit.
The agency has no authority to make her give up her private charge. But they couldn't let DP stay there because of insurance/legal reasons. So they told her she had to make a choice. DP is a part-time charge. The new baby is a full-time charge. So DP got the boot.
Fortunately, the agency was on the ball. They found two potential spaces, both in homes not far from DPs original placement. So yesterday, in a flurry of stress Drama King and I took DP to the first home. He instantly made himself at home and I got a good feeling from his caregiver. Thus far, he is her only charge and she seems eager to engage him in various activities. So we're going to try it today and hopefully it will work out. We spoke to her about the fuck-up with the last caregiver. She assured us it wouldn't happen with her. Of course there are no guarantees, but at this point I'm not sure what we can do.
I'm still a little worried. Drama Prince is social and seems virtually unphased by new surroundings. Still, people keep saying that children need routine, consistency, stability, etc. I can't help but wonder if all this change will eventually make his brain explode.
Thanks for all your comments and indignation on my behalf. Solidarity of rage is great!
Here's what happened:
We registered with an agency that matches children with home day care providers. They have a good reputation and came highly recommended by long-time friends of ours. They found us a provider, arranged an interview and set up the placement once we gave them the go-ahead. DP was happy, we were happy and all was good.
The agency enforces the regulations set out by the Day Nursery Act. There is a rule that states that a home care-giver cannot have more than 5 charges (including his/her own kids) and of those five, no more than 2children can be under 2 years old.
The agency sends people to conduct random home visits as part of their service. Yesterday, such a visit occurred at DP's daycare. And what they discovered is that his provider had taken on a one-year-old charge. This was done privately -- not through the agency (which is allowed). And because his provider also has a child of her own under two, she had exceeded the small children limit.
The agency has no authority to make her give up her private charge. But they couldn't let DP stay there because of insurance/legal reasons. So they told her she had to make a choice. DP is a part-time charge. The new baby is a full-time charge. So DP got the boot.
Fortunately, the agency was on the ball. They found two potential spaces, both in homes not far from DPs original placement. So yesterday, in a flurry of stress Drama King and I took DP to the first home. He instantly made himself at home and I got a good feeling from his caregiver. Thus far, he is her only charge and she seems eager to engage him in various activities. So we're going to try it today and hopefully it will work out. We spoke to her about the fuck-up with the last caregiver. She assured us it wouldn't happen with her. Of course there are no guarantees, but at this point I'm not sure what we can do.
I'm still a little worried. Drama Prince is social and seems virtually unphased by new surroundings. Still, people keep saying that children need routine, consistency, stability, etc. I can't help but wonder if all this change will eventually make his brain explode.
Thanks for all your comments and indignation on my behalf. Solidarity of rage is great!