Gonna be a mama in the SE!
Yay for Amy having her first baby in the fall! She's scoping out options for infant care 2-3 days per week come December. And she asks:
Are there daycares that are known to provide excellent, attentive infant care? It seems harder to find infant care than toddler care - what challenges do I face, and what should I look for? My sister-in-law has found several wonderful situations in West Linn very easily through Craigslist... why does it seem harder to find in Portland (especially inner SE)?
We all know that finding a babycare/childcare situation that meets all our needs is hard, hard work. So, please uMamas, share your advice!
Howdy Amy,
When I was looking at schools for my 2 1/2 year old I visited the Providence Child Care center. It might be called Wee Care but I can't recall. The hospital could direct you if you have trouble getting a number. It's in a brand spanking new building next to the main hospital (47th & Glisan). Their infant rooms looked terrific and while we found something else for Sam, had we needed it sooner, I certainly would have strongly considered it for him when he was a babe. Providence employees have first dibs on space, but might be worth a look see.
Good luck and have a ball with that new little wonder!
kym
Posted by: kym | June 03, 2006 at 05:57 PM
Hi Amy,
When we lived in SE we had heard great things about the Belmont Academy off SE 30th and Belmont. They had quite the waiting list for infant care when we were doing our search but I'm sure that fluctuates. I know that many have had success with finding childcare through Craigslist but I never had luck finding a caregiver that I trusted in SE through Craigslist...still, it's worth a shot checking it out. Good luck with your search and congratulations!
Posted by: Marlynn | June 03, 2006 at 06:06 PM
I wanted to second the Wee Care at Providence Hospital at NE 47th and Glisan. I have my 12 month old there; she has been attending a couple of days a week for about 4 months now. We are very happy with it. It is first dibs for employees, but it is certainly open to nonemployees, and I am fairly certain there may be openings, as they have recently expanded into a whole new center.
I must also comment that I find it disappointing to point out that daycare is not good for your child. I think that it is wrong to make such a generalization. Without family in the area, daycare is the only chance our daughter has had to learn that other adults (besides her parents) can be trusted and serve as care takers. Additionally, she there learns to interact with other children. Furthermore, it has been the source of sanity for me. I am so much a better mother because I have the opportunity to have time away from my daughter...to work and become satisified professionally. The benefits for both my daugher and myself most certainly outweigh the drawbacks.
Posted by: Rebecca | June 04, 2006 at 08:38 AM
Amy,
I am also looking for infant day care starting beg. of January. So far I have looked at the Pennisula Children's Center in NE. They seem to have a good program and it is close to my work. I have not found ANY options in SE so I'm anxious to hear what you might find... If you are working part-time I might be interested in a nanny share or something of that sort! Please email me anytime Mollinski76@yahoo.com
Posted by: Molly | June 04, 2006 at 10:55 AM
I would have to agree that finding care in SE is tough! I was in that situation a few years ago. I went about my search by contacting the Child Care Resource Referral of Multnomah and Clackamas Counties to obtain a list of providers based on zip code. http://www.ccrr-mc.org/
Back then, they had a database of child care providers and based on my criteria, sent me a list of providers (both in-home and daycare centers). I then had to do the tedious work of calling and visiting up the various locations. I don't know how it works now.
It seems that you may have some luck going to the Oregon Child Care Resource and Referral Network http://www.oregonchildcare.org/findcc/prov_search.htm and doing a search on-line.
Lastly, there is Little Footsteps Daycare Center,
2225 E Burnside St, (503) 236-2177
I'm not sure how "good" they are, but they are located in the inner SE.
Posted by: Hau | June 05, 2006 at 12:00 AM
I ran into someone we used for emergency/back-up child care recently. She's a part-time nurse and looking to take on some new charges full-time. Right now, she has mostly kids that are there on a very, part-time basis. A good friend uses her for about 5 hours a week. She's located near Cleveland High School. She's great. Her name is Val and you can contact her at: valancystrick@yahoo.com
Posted by: Hau | June 05, 2006 at 10:11 PM
Amy - my daughter goes to Pocketful of Posies on NE 43rd and Glisan. It's based out of a home that's been completely remodeled to be a center. They just created a sweet little infant room and have some openings. I've been happy with my daughter's care there - the kids are nice, the place is clean, and the workers there are caring and attentive. If you'd like to check it out, the owner is Cammie: 503-233-1792. Good luck!
Posted by: Wendy | June 06, 2006 at 09:13 AM
I found a nanny share through craigslist; the nanny comes to my house two days a week (canceling out the need to find a SE-based care center). Plus, the one-on-one attention of a nanny has been amazing for the babe. And at $10/hour it's *still* cheaper than any daycare situation I found. Best of luck to you!
Posted by: Jessica | June 06, 2006 at 05:31 PM
I'm expecting this month and will be placing my baby in p/t daycare in November. I've had a difficult time finding daycare even while being flexible with neighborhoods, but will probably settle for DiscoveryLand Childcare Center, located on SE 60th and just south of Stark. Their infant program is new, but I've heard good things about them and have visited.
Posted by: jean | June 07, 2006 at 03:44 PM
I also live in SE Portland and am looking for full-time day care for my infant in November/December 2006. I've visited a few and won't mention the one I wasn't impressed with. So far I am leaning towards a day care center versus an in-home situation because the centers typically perform criminal background checks on all employees. I may like the in-home day care provider but who does she/he allow into their home? So far I like the Kindercare on SE 22nd & Gladstone. They offer a price break at 3 days and have parking which is good for pickup/drop-off. All the centers downtown (where I work) are in the $1,000 a month price range for an infant either 4 or 5 days/week. Plus there's usually a longer waiting list. I would prefer to have him close to work so I could breatfeed him at lunch but it may be cost prohibitive. I have a lot more checking and calling around to do. Go with your gut instinct when you visit and listen to your heart. After all the child care provider, whoever it is, is helping to raise your child. Good luck! I'll continue to post my findings.
Posted by: Ann T. | August 07, 2006 at 09:20 PM