Corcoran's Daycare

[MusikMama]

When I was pregnant, I researched, and researched and visited ump-teen daycares.  Centers, family homes, multiple people working out of a home....you name it.  Backround checks, all the state info on violations, everything. 

When I finally decided on a certified daycare at a local church, one with high marks and good reccomendations, I felt I had made a good choice for my baby boy.  We visited and everything was neat and clean, the staff was welcoming, the location was great.  It went well at first, the lady was great the first day I dropped him off, comforting me as I stood there bawling my eyes out. 

As time went on, there was not any one MAJOR thing that upset me, but a lot of smaller ones.  The morning lady was constant, and we loved her, Robbie.  But they kept switching the afternoon caretaker.  It irked me, I didn't want a different person with my child every other week, I wanted him to know the people taking care of him, I wanted THEM to have a personal connection with him.  Then he was always filthy when I picked him up, even though I provided multiple outfits and bibs for him, there was no reason for him to be in a soaked, spit up covered outfit.  Sometime the afternoon lady that they finally decided on called him the wrong name.  No big deal, right?  Well, I was afraid after it kept happening (and I talked to the supervisor about it) that she really didn't know which kid was which and might give my child medicine or something that wasn't his, and that IS a big deal.

 

Long story short(er), when Corcoran was 3 months old (he'd been in daycare only a little over a month) I decided we had to switch him.  That's when we "met" (I grew up in school with the ladies 3 boys, so I kinda atleast knew who they were) Karen & her family.

I'm crying right now, partly cause I'm sick, partly because she has been such a blessing to us.  Karen LOVES Corcoran, as does her family.  She watches him, her sisters 2 adopted girls (1 & 2 1/2 yrs old), a baby girl and a 4 year old girl.  She's not licensed, but she has worked for years at a daycare center.  I could care less if she's licensed, she does everything the way I would at home.  The completely remodeled a room in their small house as a beautiful nursery.  Complete with cubbies for each child with their names and all.  They built, yes built a nice play ground in their back yard for the kids with a fence around it, sandboxes, swings, a kiddie pool, etc.  The social worker for the adopted kids has been there off and on (this is routine) and she loves Karen, so that makes me feel good too.

Anyhow, she's been just great, Corcoran adores her, he even calls her parents Grandma & Grandpa, they spoil him with gifts, not just on holidays, but even randomly.  I feel so relieved knowing he is there, that he is loved like one of their own.  Even her husband and grown boys are great with the kids.  Her husband didn't like that Corcoran was stuck playing with all girl toys all the time, so he went out and bought a $100 workbench for C and a John Deere ride on tractor!  He's rarely even down playing when I get there, he'll either be in Karen's lap on the couch, or all snuggled up in the lazy boy with her husband, Dave. 

Just felt like writing a little "tribute" to Karen today, I feel so blessed to have found her.  I could go on and on, but this is long already, lol.

Hope everyone has great holidays! 

Many Blessings~

Kate

[rag_dollmom]

Dec. 23, 2008 at 9:59 AM

that is such a blessing; I know how hard it is to find a good care provider. I was so depressed just thinking about it and went and visited so many and I'm truly blessed to have found the daycare I found. I know how important it is to know that your kids are getting the best care and I'm glad you went with your heart; little things are not little things when it comes to our kids.

Happy holidays, mama! 

[ShutterbugMama]

Dec. 23, 2008 at 9:59 AM

My love to Karen...You've been so blessed.

xo

(Amazing how these people, from seemingly NO WHERE, change our lives).

xo

 

[MusikMama]

Dec. 23, 2008 at 10:13 AM

They got him coloring books, a John Deere tractor toy with trailor, a new bulldozer shirt and candy for Christmas. Plus, she helped him make a desk calander for me with pics she had taken of the kids throughout the year! I LOVE it. She randomy gives me stacks of pictures of Corcoran doing things at daycare ;-) I have a while scrapbook of his "daycare" days I keep adding to. It will be nice for him to see how loved he was by that family when he gets older. I still talk to my childhood daycare family!

(Original Poster)

[MSugarKane]

Dec. 23, 2008 at 10:28 AM

Daycares are just that, a place that takes a lot of children with staff that are overworked, underpaid, and really just doing a job.  There is no replacement for a loving family to watch your child. That is why I became a Nanny over 25 years ago.  Now I am watching my grandchildren along with one nine year old boy. 

[MommyTatum]

Dec. 23, 2008 at 10:43 AM

Isn't that GREAT when you feel comfortable when your child is in the care of someone that you REALLY trust!

Hip, Hip, Horraay!!!  For Karen!  :)

[NorahSethsMommy]

Dec. 23, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Thats wonderful! If I ever had to go back to work before my kids are both in school full time I would love to find care like this.

I sure would not have left my child in that other day care either. You did the right thing. At our former church, veven just on Sundays, we'd have similar problems with our church nursery. I didnt expect the same person to always be there...it was only 2 hours on sunday, but I'd consistantly get the kids back with horrible dirty diapers, their clothes a dirty mess and they'd be sick all the time (which concerned me they were not cleaning well).

I finally emailed the head of the nursery when, not only did a teenage girl (I had never seen before) tried to give me the wrong child...insisting it was Norah! But she didn't have her shoes on and when the girl finally gave her to me, she said, "I dont have to put her shoes on do I?" Aside from that, we had cards they were supposed to match up with a name tag on the baby (to avoid kidnapping or getting the wrong child) and they NEVER did it...even when I asked. I had my friedn go pick up my daughter (because they did not know her) and they handed Norah to her no questions asked.

Anywa...ddnt meant to take over your post...LOL. Just I am happy you found good care for Corcoran. I know it is not easy.

[MamaMulder]

Dec. 23, 2008 at 2:39 PM

That is wonderful that you and C have such a special bond with their family! It will be one that C will remember forever! =)

[LilyofPhilly]

Dec. 24, 2008 at 2:29 PM

This is so sweet! It's so nice to see someone sharing a postitive daycare experience! And it's so nice to see a mother who isn't threatened by other adults bonding with her children!