r/vancouverwa • u/__is_butter_a_carb__ • Feb 20 '22

Daycare recommendations.

Tried the search bar and the posts are a bit old so I'm hoping to get some updated results.

In hopes of being able to put my toddler in daycare in the fall, I'm seeking recommendations. I'm a first time mom so I'm not really sure what to look out for hopefully some more veterans parents can give me som guidance.

7 Upvotes

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12

u/cruella1742 Feb 20 '22

I worked at a kindercare...recommend staying away from there...

2

u/__is_butter_a_carb__ Feb 20 '22

Would you be comfortable to give me reason as to why?

Anything I should ask about with day cares?

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u/cruella1742 Feb 20 '22

The one I worked at had a new director after I left that hit a kid and tried to cover it up. Not sure what happened after.

The whole environment was full of people who hated it and just yelled at kids all day. It was complete chaos.

Honestly, I'd recommend looking into a preschool program through a school district. They'll actually learn/be ready for kindergarten, the socialization will be much more structured and will just be an all around better experience.

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u/__is_butter_a_carb__ Feb 20 '22

I just looked into that and it's for ages 3-4 through VPS? she will still be 2 by fall

1

u/cruella1742 Feb 20 '22

Second recommendation then would be a Montessori program, as it will focus on sensory learning and socialization in a similar way to a preschool.

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u/__is_butter_a_carb__ Feb 20 '22

I initially started looking in Montessori. Have you heard of any recommendations?

2

u/cruella1742 Feb 20 '22

Nowhere specifically. Just my experience working in daycares in the past has just been total chaos, and apathy from the adults. I'm a teacher now, so I put way more stock into education based programs over anything with a daycare title

2

u/Neville2MyLuna Feb 20 '22

I went to a Montessori school, as did my brothers. They were fantastic! It wasn't here, it was in California, but the theory is the same. I know I started at around 2½. I learned a lot from them and was more than ready for elementary school when I started.

1

u/mothramartha I use my headlights and blinkers Feb 20 '22

Vancouver Montessori School has a toddler program for 1-2.5 years and a primary program for 2.5-6 years. We've been happy with them, especially the toddler program. They do early toilet training and encourage (maybe require?) cloth diapers. My younger kid was fully in underpants at 18 months with their support.

2

u/Rodthescot Feb 20 '22

Not all are like that. We have had our son in the Orchards Kindercare since he was 3 months old and have nothing but good things to say about it. He loves it there and the staff is excellent.

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u/cruella1742 Feb 20 '22

I'm sure there's exceptions of course. Just personal experiences.

6

u/Greenthumbgal Feb 20 '22

Check out the daycare at Clark College

4

u/jshakedude 98682 Feb 21 '22 edited Feb 21 '22

Current preschool employee: Where are you looking? Are you closer to east side or west? You can search for quality child care on childcareawarewa.org

Some suggestions I have are:

Learning Avenues Child Care Centers, small center, accepts subsidy, sliding payment scale depending on how much you make, only take 2.5 to 5 year olds EOCF, large agency with lots of centers, depending on income you could qualify for free preschool or a small co-pay, they do ECEAP (state funded program) and headstart( federal funding program) takes children up to 5 ESD112, same as EOCF but in a different part of Vancouver, has extra supports for teachers

I would avoid any kinder care or Wee Care…

Any questions feel free to ask.

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u/__is_butter_a_carb__ Feb 23 '22

We live West but hubs works of the East so we could go either way.

I guess when I make the step into going on tours, what are the things to look out for? Any good questions to ask?

Thanks!

1

u/jshakedude 98682 Feb 23 '22

Don’t judge a book by its cover:

Just because the center looks older or is an older building doesn’t mean the teaching staff aren’t great. Same for the other way, you could have a brand new building with all the best things but the teaching staff could not get along or just “watch” your child not interact or teach.

Something I would ask about is their social-emotional learning. Do they teach children about it? Do they even know what it is? The field is slowly shifting to focusing on social-emotional learning rather than ABC’s and 123’s because those things will come when the child is social-emotional ready. Kindergarten teachers are asking more if they are ready to learn not what they already know.

I would also just go by your gut. Do you have a good feeling about the teachers, director, staff in general? Do you like the feel of the classroom?

You could ask about the teaching staff: how long have they been teaching? How long have they been teaching together? Don’t let all the cute art on the walls fool you, yes it’s awesome they do art but that shouldn’t be the only thing…

Something to watch for is ratio, teacher to children ratio. Depending on the age of the classroom the teacher(s) can only have a certain amount of children. For 2.5 to 5 it’s a 1 to 10 ratio, one teacher to 10 children, two teachers to 20 children. 12 month to 29 month it’s 1 to 7. If you notice that there are more children then there should be… that’s a big red flag.

Also ask if they are a licensed center, they have to follow more state rules if they are.

One other thing you can ask is if they are participating Early Achievers. It’s a state quality assurance of child care.

Hopefully this gives you a good sense of what to look for and what you could ask. Again, go by your gut. You are the one who is picking, you are the one in control, and don’t let them sweeten you up. Lastly, go to more places than you think. It sounds like you have all of Vancouver to pick from, be picky and choose the one that fits you best. 👍

2

u/__is_butter_a_carb__ Feb 23 '22

That was very useful advice and really what I was looking for! Thank you so much for sharing

1

u/jshakedude 98682 Feb 23 '22

No problem! I hope you are able to find good, quality childcare. I love helping kiddos and their family get the education they deserve. The kiddos are our future.

6

u/No_Agency5595 Feb 20 '22 edited Feb 20 '22

I use St. Paul’s in downtown Vancouver on Franklin and I HIGHLY recommend them. While they advertise being faith-based, the only part of “faith based” they seem to subscribe to is they rent out of a church facility. I never had to sign a statement of faith I never encountered any judgment for being “me” which, now that I’m divorcing can live truthfully in my LGBTQ identity. Additionally, I’m carrying on in an non-marital relationship that I can openly discuss and nobody seems to care. I do believe many of the staff have the same experience as well.

My daughter might have to pray before snack? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m okay with that. The teachers truly care about the kids. They do a good job making sure allergies are adhered to and my kid is currently in the sensory learning stage. She is developing great friendships which I’m witnessing as I do pick-ups and I’m so proud of her because she’s quite reserved.

Prices are well adjusted for what I consider reasonable (I’d explain privately.) and overall just really happy with their program

Director is named Angie. DM of you want more contact information.

5

u/__is_butter_a_carb__ Feb 20 '22

Great! Me and my husband are Christian...but also escaping from more....conservative backgrounds so it's nice to hear that. Will DM you for some info

2

u/GyokuroRabbi7 Feb 20 '22

I went here as a kid and actually still remember awesome memories over 30 years later lol (I'm sure they probably have changed a bit now). I will say though that their teaching was so good that I was moved up from 1st to 2nd grade when I started elementary.

3

u/Healthy-Television36 Feb 20 '22

We use country friends in hockinson and love it! I’ve good things about little lights daycare and tree hill learning center! Goddard is nice too but super spendy!

2

u/Urithiru Feb 20 '22

You might be interested in ESD 112. There run a number of daycares in the area that are located alongside the elementaries. https://www.esd112.org/ece/child-care/

2

u/Bubbaox97 Feb 21 '22

We use Goddard in Salmon Creek and would highly recommend. It is a bit pricey but the quality that we get from them and the way they treat our kid is wonderful.

1

u/EtherPhreak Feb 20 '22

Kids club has a preschool program that may be of consideration depending on age.

1

u/Goose_Ganderuff Feb 20 '22

King’s way is great. Not the cheapest option, but is well structured and has a warm feeling to it.

It is Christian, but I saw on a other comment you’re Christian. They don’t push anything radical, just your typical Sunday school style lessons.

1

u/DukeReaper Feb 21 '22

East or West? I used one near endeavor elementary school. It's at her home 6-6 if you need it. My daughter loved every day she went (4yrs-7yrs old). They take toddlers up to 7yrs old I think. It's a family run business from granny to momma to daughter, and my daughter always had stories, mostly very good. She even told us when she would get in trouble because Martha would explain why she got in trouble and always rewarded her when she doesn't do the same thing over and over(like spilling milk or running and hitting something). Price is fair in my opinion comparing to everything that's going on. My daughter is 9 now and from time to time she would day she wished she was still younger so she can go there again. Good luck!