Checking on baby in daycare?

Question

Our 4 month old daughter started daycare on this passed friday. I called once to check on her before her daddy picked her up...she is only there for about 5-6 hours a day three days a week. I want to call every hour but I don't want to bother them. How much "checking up" is too much? I drop her off at 8:30am and daddy picks her up by 3pm. And please don't chastise me for not being a SAHM if I could TRUST me I would!!

Answer 1

I feel you! I would love to call my daycare every hour to check on my daughter. I finally weaned myself when I realized that if I called and chatted with her hour, who was watching all the other children? I was taking up too much of her time...she was very kind about it though :)

Now, I call once a day (during naptime) and send a list of questions along- when did she eat, did she p**p, how much did she eat, when did she nap, how was her day in general, etc. She fills this out during lunch and sends it home in the diaper bag!

Edit: ~a~, I worked in a childcare center and yes, the director answered the phone, but she couldn't tell how the child was doing from the front desk so she brought the phone to us.

Answer 2

If it were me, and I was in your sitauation, I would call as often as I wanted. If it makes you feel more comfortable to call, then so be it. My daughter is 9 months old and I am a Stay at home Mom, but she will be going into Daycare when she is 1 Year old and I know I will be calling whenever I want.

Trust me, They will understand your reasoning for calling, especially if she just started. Also- YOU PAY THEM! so, if you want to call around the clock and it makes you feel better, then go right ahead!!!!!

Lots of luck to you and your little one!!!!

* ALSO- To the lady who answered above me- The teachers in classrooms dont answer phones- The director/assistant director takes all calls- So, its not like if you were to call someone in a classroom would answer, only the person at the front desk would answer...COMMON SENSE.

Answer 3

Call as often as you want to!  My daughter stays home with dad and I still call or text every other hour or so to see how they are doing.

Answer 4

its your baby and you have a right to check up on her, after she has been there a while you may start to relax and only call once in a day. If it gives you peace of mind then do it! And no one has the right to call working mothers we already feel guilty enough

Answer 5

When I first started my son, I called twice a day.  I work from 7:30-3:30.  Then, I started getting comfortable and 'weaning' (lol) myself off the phone calls, and I would only call at lunch.  That went on for about a week and I made myself stop calling.  He's fine.  He loves it there.  Everything is great!

He started when he was about 5.5 months old and he's now 9.5 months old.

Answer 6

Call as much as you want.

They should understand.

I'd also try to do a random popin once a week.

Answer 7

You should call at 10 am, then at 12, then at 2. You have the right to do so!!! I'll do the same.  

Answer 8

I would say calling about twice per day is sufficient until you can feel comfortable enough to reduce the calling.  I know many people say to call as much as you want but being a former daycare teacher I will let you know that when parents call to talk to the teacher it takes time away from the kids and especially when you have 4 babies to 1 teacher it gets very difficult to try to talk on the phone, feed, change, and play with the babies all at the same time.  If you feel the need to call more you should talk with the teachers to see when would be a good time for them to talk.  Since most babies aren't on a set schedule the teacher should know more of when they will have some down time.  You could also ask if the teacher would be willing to give you a call right before they go on break because then the children will be covered by all the necessary teachers and she will have some time to chat.  I know I was always willing to talk to parents right through my break.

Answer 9

I usually call twice.  Once to make sure they got there okay and then once around lunch time or so.  I think every hour is a bit much. Remember everytime you call one of her caregivers has to stop what they are doing to take your call which could mean disruption for your daughter or other children.  Imagine if every childs parents called every hour.  Who would be caring for the babies?

Answer 10

Whoever chastises moms who go back to work are just down right hateful!! I have a 4 month son and went back to work after 6 weeks. If I could afford to stay home I would too =)  

Anyway about your question.  I would say calling around lunchtime would be good. I would limit yourself to one call a day. I worked at a daycare for 4 1/2 yrs and sometimes it was so bothersome to constantly be talking to a mom who would call 5 times a day.  Especially if I was feeding a baby or changing a diaper or dealing with another crying child.  I call my sons daycare from time to time if he has had a rough night the day before or if I think he is acting differently and I have popped in for unexpected visits as well.  Try not to worry, but I really wouldn't call more than once =)  

Answer 11

My son is 6 months old and has been going there since he was 6 weeks old.  I trust the daycare staff 100% and I still call them 2X a day and physically check in on him when I can.  I used to worry about driving them crazy but don't anymore, it's their job, we pay them big bucks for it.  : )

Answer 12

honey, shes your child if you wanted to ring every 5 minutes for the whole time shes there, you'd have every right too.

theres no magic number, whenever youre thinking "is she doing ok?", pick up the phone.

it just proves what a good mum you are x