Everyone Knows the Value of a Good Daycare….If You Live in Pleasant Hill, Let Me Tell You About These!!

Hey parents!!  I know how difficult it can be to find people that you can trust to watch your little ones. If you aren’t aware, I got my undergrad (Bachelor’s degree) in Child Development, because I just loved the subject matter, and I absolutely love kids. They are the best, most sweet creatures on this planet.   As a mom, now, I understand the immense amount of trust it takes to turn your child over to someone else during the day.  You are putting your most precious gem in the hands of potentially a stranger, so yes, its super important to know that they are going to do a good job.   I myself ended up staying home with our boys until they were in preschool, because Covid restrictions put us in this position, and thankfully, I was able to continue staying home with them and now work on my business while they are in school.  But that being said, had we been in a position to actually put them in daycare, I can tell you some of the places I would absolutely have trusted and/or checked out!!

So without further adieu, let me tell you about some of the places in Pleasant Hill that I think would have been a potentially good fit!

1.  Hands down, my number one recommendation would be Kids Kastle Childcare.  This is an in-home daycare center that also boasts a massive backyard and array of toys and climbing structures that rivals the local park.  Your kids will definitely not be bored, and will find a lot of ways to stretch their minds and bodies.  This daycare is structured after the Waldorf method, which focuses on the child as a whole (mind, body, spirit.) Michelle Service, the owner, is my aunt, and I was one of her first daycare kids.   I know firsthand that she runs a loving, well-structured, super fun daycare for the littles.  She has gotten even better over time, of course, as she also raised four of her own children (my cousins!) as well as countless others, and they are some of the most well-rounded adults that I know!  She’s amazing with kids. Just amazing.  She’s loving, patient, and genuinely cares.  She sets great boundaries, and she understands how they think.  She does fill up quickly, so if you are considering a place, don’t hesitate! Go take a tour, get to know her, and see how it feels!
2. Now, I don’t have experience with any of the next daycares, but these are a few that I would definitely check out.  Play and Learn School.  They have good ratings, their facility looks like it has a variety of settings for the kids to roam around and explore, and it appears that they do a lot of prosocial and educational activities with the children.  And because playing is how kids learn at this age, I love the fact that they named the school the “Play and Learn School”, indicating that the owners understand this as well.
3. Dianne Adair Daycare.  Again, I do not have experience with this daycare center, but from what I am seeing online, they have a facility with ample space. This may indicate that they hold quite a few children, so if you have a kiddo with sensory difficulties, this environment may be slightly overstimulating for them.  That being said, I always recommending touring whatever facility you are considering, because your child may feel just fine in there.  I have been surprised at how well our boys have adapted to situations where there are a lot of kids running around.

You might notice that I haven’t really recommended any in-home facilities besides Kids Kastle.  This is because I feel like when you are in a smaller setting, sometimes the space is a little confining, and sometimes this means more screen-time.  Its also because I do not personally know any other in-home daycare providers, and I feel like those are best found in facebook groups and by other parents with children who go there. They do tend to fill up a lot faster, because the State has imposed restrictions on the number of children a daycare provider can care for at one time, and the larger facilities will typically have more staff members, and will be able to take on more children.  A lot of them also have cameras that you are able to tap into as parents, which is super comforting.

That being said, if you can find an in-home setting that you love and trust, I do recommend those!  I love that they are smaller, which means the staff has more one-on-one time with each child, so it can feel cozier, safer, and less stimulating than a larger facility with a lot of kids running around.

Each child is different, and you will know in your heart what type of facility will work best for your child!

If you are looking for a Doula, or for Birth, Newborn, or Maternity Photos, I’m always open for a conversation!

www.shaynacoxphotography.com/contact.

See you soon!

 

Shayna