[LifeToTheMax]

Okay, Max's day care is great! I really love them. I love the teachers, the school, the curriculum, the playground. However, Max's has been one of the oldest in his class for a few months now. There is one older boy, his best friend Issac, and then just babies. Today, I asked his teacher when he would get moved up, and she said he wouldn't. They are restructuring in May and creating a one year old room (now they have the infant room, where Max is, then at 15/16 months they move them to the 2 year old room, and then at 2.5-3 they move up to 3 year old preschool). So Max will stay in the infant room until May, and then move up to the 1 year old room (where he will still be the oldest).

It isn't a huge deal, really. It's a little frustrating to me because part of what I like about the center was the way they structured their classes. Max has always done well being one of the younger kids or more average. I know that the teachers work with them some, but they are also dealing with the tiny babies a lot, too, and I know Max and Issac are left to entertain themselves a lot. I'm just feeling like for the next 7 months Max will be the oldest and dealing with this. I'm not sure if I should say anything? I mean, they probably can't change it, and I'm not going to pull him out of it. I don't want to be the whiny annoying parent who complains about nothing. What would you do in this situation?

It's hard, too, because I wish I could be home with him, and I can't. Not sure why that matters

[~Kris~]

Pretty much everyone I know who has had kids in daycare has had an infant room of 6wks-12/15 months old.....some move up based on hitting 12months+ walking or others move up at 15 months no matter what. Then they have a toddler room (1 year olds), 2s room, 3s room, 4s+ room, depending on the kids birthdays they may still be there after turning 5 if they missed the school cutoff. So it sounds like that is the direction they are moving towards. Unfortunately it seems like by the time they create the new room for 1s, Max will be getting close to almost leaving it, but I see your point that for now/the next several months he'll be with the younger kids.

I would maybe ask if on days they don't have a full 2s room if he could go there since he is so different than the babies!


I would definitely ask. My guess is you wouldn't be the only parent asking about it.

[Memi]

I agree with Kris. I'd mention your concern on him being the oldest to the director. And possibly mention you'd love for him to move up to the 2 year old room if they ever need to do some rearranging on days that there is some room in there or they need to combine classes.

[Countrymom4]

I know nothing just got a hug for you.

[Pupcake74]

They might be leaving Max in there because they don't have room for the 2 boys at the moment and this way they can play together and keep each other entertained. You really never know unless you ask. Also if you have no intentions of leaving then why put yourself at risk of ruffling someone elses feathers. Ya never know what they are hearing from other parents. With daycares alot comes down to the numbers....adult/kid ratio...is the first priority.

[mrsdaiwa24]

When I enrolled Betsy into daycare (at just over 13 months), I asked that she try out the 15-24 month room -- I explained my concerns (she was so much older than the babies in the infant room, could walk and feed herself) and told them that if she couldn't do it, I would be alright with her staying in the infant room. They agreed and she did great.

While I agree that you don't want to upset the staff at a place that you really like, a polite inquiry into switching rooms couldn't hurt. You'll never know unless you ask! Good luck!

[~Kris~]

I know we taked about it last night in chat, but wanted to say again that even though I get the #s thing, I think at the very least, this is poor planning on the daycare's part and I do think it is rude and a bit deceiving that they originally told you he would move up around 15 months, yet then haven't apporached you to say he wouldn't move up. (How's that for a run on sentence )

There is such a big difference between kids Max's age and then babies! They need to be doing something to ensure that Max is still getting what he should be getting-interaction wise, education wise, ec.

I have no doubt that you will approach them tactfully and I don't think there is anything wrong with questioning them about something they had presented to you in the beginning.

[LifeToTheMax]

I talked to Max's other head teacher (the morning one, so not the teacher I talked to last night) and the toddler teacher. I was really nice about it and explained that I loved the teachers, but I was concerned about Max being so much older. They totally understood where I was coming from. They said Max was ready to move up, and that the kids tended to really start hitting developmental milestones by leaps and bounds when they moved up. Right now, they don't have room (which I understand, but I don't see it as an excuse, at least not long term. Max has been there for over 6 months now, they knew he needed to move up. If it were an issue of needing to wait a month to move him up, I would understand, but that isn't the case) right now. They did say one toddler was moving up in a few weeks, but that would mean only Max OR Issac could move up, not both, which would leave the other alone in the infant room, and would be a worse solution (especially since Max would probably be left since Issac is a few months older).

We also talked about the possibility of Max spending some days in the toddler room or partial days. When everyone was sick with HFM, Max spent circle time in the toddler room. His teacher said he loved it and cried so much when he had to leave to go back to the baby room. I don't want him to have to go through that every day, but maybe if he went back at nap time it would be an easier transition?

His teachers said they would talk to the director and see what she could do. His teacher said she did try her hardest to work with Issac and Max at their level, and I definitely know that both lead teachers do! She did admit that it can be hard, though, with the babies there too. Fingers crossed something works out!!

[Kumii]

Interesting post Amy. Milan is also one of the oldest in his room. Him and his age girl are really hitting it off. I have not been concerned as I see that they let him and his little friend do big kids things like eating at the table instead of highchair. His group is 12 - 18 months and he will be moving soon. I hope Max and his friend both move up soon! I see how a big difference in age might concern you as a parent.

[~Kris~]

I'm glad they seem receptive to your concerns. I agree that it would be worse if only one of the boys moved up! At least now they have each other. I really hope they can work something out.

[alethia]

i'm so glad you talked to them - that's what i was going to suggest - i've had to do that with both Kaylee and lil B. typically i talk to the teachers and see their feelings, and if we're all on board i talk to the director - and there usually isn't an issue. WTG! it's always best to be pro-active and an advocate for your kiddo.

[mrsdaiwa24]

Glad to see that you talked to them, although I'm disappointed in their response. That's so weird that they didn't seem to anticipate this change -- I mean, Max and his friend were ready to move up a couple of months ago and yet they didn't seem to plan accordingly. At least the boys a together and you've been assured that the lead teacher is going to work with them at their level.