And we have daycare!

It was an extensive and exhausting search.  Can I just say for the record that looking for a daycare SUCKS!

I had a list of about 20 or so that were within decent range from our house and work.  When I started calling I didn't have much luck as most were filled or at capacity with newborns and one provider was dead (yeah not a pleasant conversation).

But then I reached one who did have a spot!  I set an appointment to meet with them right away!  When we looked at the daycare it was after hours so there were no kiddos.  But it is a mother-daughter team who rent out the bottom of an old house and strictly run the daycare from there.  The set-up was really nice as was the atmosphere!  There were word signs everywhere, the kids had just finished a Dr. Seuss project, and there were plenty of toys to play with!  The sleep area was completely separate from the play area.  We met with them for about a half hour and asked loads of questions.  As it was our first look at a daycare, we let them know that we would get back to them.

We were scheduled to look at another one the day after the first, but the provider had to cancel because she was sick.  So finally this past weekend we were able to check it out.

One word:  SCARY!

The lady was really nice but the set-up was disastrous!  The kids were basically confined to the living room (wherein she was watching trashy TV), the sleep area for newborns was her teenage son's room wherein three Dachshunds were crated (don't get me wrong I love animals), the sleep area for toddlers was also the living room where they would just sleep on mats. The kitchen was small and there was a training/pee area for the dogs or cats (of which I stepped in).  When we took a tour of the "house" she left the kids unattended in the living room.....

Needless to say after we left there we were sold on the first place we visited! I called the contact lady and advised that we had decided to go with them and she was thrilled!  It made my day.  Not sure why, but I guess I was excited to hear excitement in her voice!

When we went back to pick up further information, the kids (or natives as the provider called them) were there and they were playing with play-doh.  They looked very entertained and stimulated!  There was also fresh fruit on the kitchen counter...BONUS!  At this point, I'm feeling very confident in our choice!  We'll see how I feel when we have to drop Baby E off for the first time!