Kids That Come From Centers?

[EchoMom]

Does anyone have any compare/contrast experience with kids who come from centers vs. kids who've never been to daycare before vs. kids who've only been to home daycares?

I'm just wondering because all of the kids I've had so far have been one of the last two categories. This week I got a barely 2 year old who came from a big pay by the hour/drop in center. They would have sometimes 20 infants and toddlers altogether with a few teachers.

The new dcg (24months) seems to hoard toys a bit and be more protective of what is hers, she shrieks easily (not really talking yet), and bats and hits a bit. I never had these behaviors from any of my other 2s when they started with me.

Do you think these are just bad habits she picked up from being at the center or is it just her personality?

[wdmmom]

I've experienced both.

I've noticed that children that come from another in home daycare are better adapted. They may need to learn new rules but the adjustment time is very minimal. They also don't seem to be attention seeking or destructive.

I've only taken one child that came from a center and he was a royal pain! He had HORRIBLE eating habits, tore food apart into very little bitty pieces, made a mess, didn't pick up toys, was very attention seeking, disruptive and destructive.

[cheerfuldom]

OP I dont think what you are describing is necessarily a result of a center. I am surprised you have had such easy transitions with your other kids because everything you described is pretty common of that age. From my experience, I actually prefer kids from home daycare or centers. Older kids that come straight from home seem very babyish and a lot of time are spoiled or entertained a lot at home. I have a 3.5 year old that is transitioning from mom/nanny care and she has been WAY more work than anyone else.

[daycare]

I have had both and what I do see is that the kids do seem to be a little more unruly, thinking that they will be able to get away with things.

My thought on this is that because I am so much smaller and have a much lower child to adult ratio, that I catch EVERYTHING

To be honest, the kids are usually easy to transition, its the parents that are harder, because they try to treat me like a center where you can drop off and pick up at their convince and have a harder time transitioning to my rules.

[countrymom]

I have a dcg who I had for 3 yrs. This year mom put her in a daycare center twice a week to be with other 3 yr olds because I now have a younger group. This is the most nicest child you will ever see, I would clone her because she was so good. Now that she goes to the center, her behavior is very naughty. The lying, the dumping of toys oh the meannies with this girl is crazy now. She's also not sharing anymore and taking toys. She was never like this, and its only been a month and a half. So yes there is a difference.

[daycarediva]

I have had both and what I do see is that the kids do seem to be a little more unruly, thinking that they will be able to get away with things.

My thought on this is that because I am so much smaller and have a much lower child to adult ratio, that I catch EVERYTHING

To be honest, the kids are usually easy to transition, its the parents that are harder, because they try to treat me like a center where you can drop off and pick up at their convince and have a harder time transitioning to my rules.

This exactly!

I have a dcb who came from center care. 16 2-4 year olds to 1 teacher and 1 helper. My ratio is 7:1 on a FULL day, 3 days a week it is 5:1. They get away with NOTHING.

I know a teacher in a center who says flat out they aren't supposed to make waves, so if X kid is a monster, you don't tell that kids parents or he might leave and the director would be mad.

My center kids share less, hit more and generally act like monkeys for the first two-three months.

They aren't nearly as difficult to transition as an only child of SAHM or Nanny though. Y.I.K.E.S!

[renodeb]

To be really honest, Im always a little leary of parents that call me for dc and they have come from a center. The reason is that often they have had or have issues and the parents think a smaller setting would be better. (not the case every time but often) I think kids can pick up bad habits from a dc center, and often there are behavior problems when a child has been at a center. Most of the kids I have had through here (that I have kept in touch with) do great at centers b/c they are more well balanced and well adjusted. I have found that the adjustment time for a child that was at a home dc is much less.
Debbie

[Bookworm]

To be really honest, Im always a little leary of parents that call me for dc and they have come from a center. The reason is that often they have had or have issues and the parents think a smaller setting would be better. (not the case every time but often) I think kids can pick up bad habits from a dc center, and often there are behavior problems when a child has been at a center. Most of the kids I have had through here (that I have kept in touch with) do great at centers b/c they are more well balanced and well adjusted. I have found that the adjustment time for a child that was at a home dc is much less.
Debbie

I work in a center and I can tell you that we are just as leary depending on WHICH center the child came from. But then I had a DCB about 3 years ago that came from an in home daycare and was the most horrible child I have ever encountered.

[blandino]

Most of our kids have been with us since they were born, or we are their first daycare after staying with mom or family for a little. However, out of 14 enrolled - one has been to a center before. She was 18 months when she started with us. She would hoard toys (carry one in each hand, one in the crook of each elbow, and one under her chin) while walking around. It absolutely broke my heart. She was at a very well respected commercial daycare, but it was a COMMERCIAL daycare. And that kind of big environment, is going to create some negatives in the environment.

Also, this DCG was at the commercial daycare from 10 mo -18 mo, and in addition to constantly being sick - she also had a severe aggression and biting problem. Since being with us from 18mo - 3.5 years , she has never bitten once - and is one of my best behaved and listens to rules like a champ.

She is the perfect example of one daycare environment, just not being a good fit for that specific child.