We took Anoushka to Chuckecheese's yesterday . It was lots of fun . Full of kids . She enjoyed and played a lot . Actually ..... my husband enjoyed some games too ;-).
I wanted to ask you about Day care . I am exploring the possibilty . How did you select one ? thanks for your help and love to Anu .
Take Care
Ritu Radhika replied. Glad u had fun..think kids now started to have the need to meet more kids and play together.
AS for day care, if you are planning to work or do part time, day care is the best option..economically and timewise..else if u r looking for friends for anu, i agree with kalyani - playgroup is a nice idea if feasible.
Playgroup tips best given by her.
If thats not possible, I have read about some centers have sessions like musical rhymes/craft classes etc. esp in malls regularly, a county calender of events may help u.
As for day care, if u can find a family day care, a reliable person who has like 10-15 years exp. (or others word of confidence) then i love family day care, just becoz it then gets into a personal relationship and u can have flexible hours.
If not, then find a day care involves reasearch and meeting folks, once u go to 2-3 day cares u will see the difference in amenities/people who take care/ u can meet parents of the day care..best time to visit is 5/6 when parents come to take the kids, verify they write and tell the other parents how the kid was, what she ate etc.
I had registered anu since the day she was born and was on hold for quite a few months..so u don't get a vacancy so soon. We had two options selected one was our office day care which was very huge and had the best amenities, didn't get admission there..the other was small day care but had 20 years of experience and infant room people were grandmas which we got in a month's time..so anu started there..we got very friendly to them and so did anu, then we didn't care about the office daycare which is very strict on rules and very commercialised..so now i would say look at the people who will actually take care of her..someone who connects with u, u feel comfortable.they will take time to adjust and u will feel awkward becoz u kid won't get isntant attention like at home, but u will be surprised how soon they learn to get along and be patient and play together.
Its more of moms havign to give them up and trust them.
U can spend one or 2 days with them so they get adjusted..then u can leave her, the more friendly u get with the care taker,the better..I ahve learnt the best tips of childcare, discipline from them..degrees of the people don't matter, its how they talk and how much experience.
If they have toddler room seperately, check the menu and there will be an adjustment period where anu will learn to pick and eat and drink from sippy cup, but they are quite flexible here..there in ur city ask them.
All in all, if u can take ur child out 4 days of a week for 2-3 hours its worth it, they will get used to people here, language, etc..think moms and kids need the time with people their age and prepares them to get mixed with them later on..
I can be frank and say didn't like to be workign at times esp when she catches cold, but now adjusted to it and i know anu does miss her friends on long vacations, life is more structured.
Thats the best info i can give..I hope u find a suitable option out..
Take care.
Radhika



kalyani replied. Hi ritu,

If u have difficulty in finding a play group why don't u start one?.I take sasmeta to the playgroup which we conduct every mon and friday in our appartment.More than 20 moms come with their kids.Actually this playgroup was started by 2 moms 3 years back and now the population has increased.U can also start a play group if u want by asking ur friends to join with their kids.We asked the permission of the owner of the appartment and they have given the social room to conduct the playgroup for free.So u can first find a place and then ask your friends to join u.Actualy we have lots of toys donated by moms for the playgroup.So We have the schedule of our playgroup like this first is the free play where the kids play with the toys for 15 mins.Then circle time,where moms and kids sit in a circle and sing rhymes.Then we have the snack time where we give some snacks to the kids and make them sit together and eat it so that they will have the habbit of sharing and discipline.Then we have the stand up time for 15 mins where we sing songs standing.Then we have the craft time.We do different crafts each time.We collect 5 dollars from those who join and use that money to buy the stuff needed for the playgroup.Then again we have free play,then finally story time.So u can also start one if u have time.We also have playdates.Like on tuesdays 5 friends of mine take turns and have playdate in their house.Where we meet in their house and we follow the same schedule of the playgroup.The kids enjoy to play with the new toys.So you can also plan a playdate with your friends who has kids.In boston they have a program called early intervension which is similar to a play group and u have to pay money monthly.Its on every thursdays.So you can enquire whether they have one in ur place.Okay ritu hope this helps.take care.
love and kisses to Anoushka
from
kals