Daycare Saga

Let me preface by saying, I am not a behavioral specialist. I did not get a degree in child development or education. I've never even worked in a daycare before. But I am a parent which in many cases, if you care enough, provides one with more than enough training to make logical observations.

I've had Tyler at a local daycare since he was 6 weeks old. Looking back, I have no idea how I dropped him off. I was new at the parenting thing and new to daycare expectations. It didn't take long before I learned what was acceptable and what was unacceptable in daycares. I've dealt with everything from

1. not expecting me the first day I dropped Tyler off at daycare
2. not providing me any knowlege of what he does all day long (including not having a teacher there at the end of the day for me to talk to that was with him most of the day)
3. putting someone else's diaper on him and vice versa
4. unprofessional staff that don't understand how to communicate to parents
5. losing articles of clothing
6. not locking up cabinets in which scissors, staple removers, and push pins were accessible (i actually walked into his classroom one day as a child was pulling the scissors out)
7. as of today, ratio issues (the teacher/student ratio is 1:9---it was 1:11 when I walked in today)
8. dirty and unappealing classroom (apparently they are revamping it so that's why it looks this way)

The list could go on, and I'm not exaggerating. I've been so nice and understanding mainly because the people are so nice, but I've decided to file a state complaint against their facility. I just can't deal with it anymore, and whether Tyler is there or not, it just needs to all be fixed.

I've fought this battle for close to 3 years now and while the director is most accomodating, there is always something. I know I am that parent that complains all the time. I don't even think anyone else there cares to the extent I do. I've had Tyler on the waiting list for another church preschool, but he is 21st on the list. We are looking at years and years to be called saying there is an opening. There is not a single daycare that I trust Tyler to be in within Durham, where I work, except Bright Horizons. And the tuition is....drum roll please...$1140 a month. In case you are curious, that is $285 a week and $13,680 a year. :) But you pay for what you get, and their five star facility is close to flawless. Regardless, we'd have to take out a loan to afford that.

There is one last potential option (and no, it's not for me to quit work). There is a daycare facility near where he is now that I just learned about which just moved from part time to full time preschool with ages 2-5. The tuition is affordable. I meet with the director Friday morning at 8:30. I'm nervous for many reasons. The main reason is that I have such high expectations now that I'm afraid no facility will meet that without me paying the $1140 a month. I'm so upset that we can't get into the church preschool because in my tour there, I was blown away. But I guess that's why there is a waitlist so long.

So, think of me this week and pray that something will fall through. I've spent half of my work day making calls and emails regarding this. It's stress that really shouldn't have to happen.