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Message |
    
Elizabeth S.
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth_s
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:16 pm: | 
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I would love any recommendations for full-time daycare options for my son who is just under 2 yrs. A lot of places start at 2.5 yrs but I need it sooner. I know about the Y and South Mountain, but would love to get additional suggestions if possible. Group daycare is also a possibility. Thanks |
kss
Citizen
Username: Kss
Post Number: 61
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 10:26 am: |
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I was just about to post the same question as my daughter is the same age. We're going to look at South Mountain tomorrow but they are probably moving as they only rent their space. They are looking to buy a place on Newark Way I think for next year. The other ones I was thinking of looking at were South Orange Country day which is 2.5 years & maybe St. Stephen's which is 2.5 years. There are others in Livingston but I don't think I want to risk having to go over the mountain in bad weather. So, where have people gone for full day & what did you like/not like? In addition, we did get a list of places from The Community Coalition if you did want to check out other places. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 38
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 2:29 pm: |
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I live in SO and use Tutor Time on South Orange Avenue. My daugter is 16 months and has been there since Sept. We love it there. The facility is new and the owners are there every day. In fact, they are a married couple who just had a baby who is in the infant room. They are very responsive and are contantly in the rooms keeping an eye on things. The caregivers are also excellent. Unlike other centers that I've seen, you can really tell that the teachers really care about the children. They also have lots of activities for the toddlers (where my daughter is) and actually DO the activities. They have lots of different activity rooms, which are great. I would stay away from Kindercare in Livingston if I were you.
Handygirl
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Duncan
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 1665
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 2:46 pm: |
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Hey KSS.. I emailed the director of south mountain about their moving next year and her reply was "thats news to me". I wonder where you got that info?
"The truth is always a compound of two half- truths, and you never reach it, because there is always something more to say."-- Tom Stoppard
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algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1725
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 3:08 pm: |
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Dunc -- I think KSS is talking about South Mountain Nursery not the Y. Maybe that's what you're talking about too. |
Duncan
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 1667
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 4:40 pm: |
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I never know what Im talking about frankly
"The truth is always a compound of two half- truths, and you never reach it, because there is always something more to say."-- Tom Stoppard
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kss
Citizen
Username: Kss
Post Number: 62
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 9:34 pm: |
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Yes, it's South Mountain Nursery on Ridgewood. Right now, the younger kids are at a church near Seth Boyden & the Nursery only rents the space there & on Ridgewood. They are looking for a place to call there own. |
aneighbor
Citizen
Username: Aneighbor
Post Number: 38
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 10:05 pm: |
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I second Tutor Time. My daughter, who just turned two in January, has been going there since November. Being that it's been around less than two years it's clean and as posted above most of the staff is great; caring, loving and interested in teaching. They have an area called "the village" which is set up so the kids can play in these miniture houses and bicycle around the area. It really has a good mix of a lot of different positive points. |
Elizabeth S.
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth_s
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 6:30 am: |
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Since Tutor Time is in Livingston, is it easy to park there and take the train into the city for work? That's one of the appealing things about the s.mountain y, is that it's walking distance from the train. |
kss
Citizen
Username: Kss
Post Number: 63
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 7:16 am: |
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Tutor Time is in the old Max's Restaurant Building on South Orange Ave. I'm not sure the cross street but it's not real close to a train station. On the other hand, they have a huge parking lot and it's easy to park there. |
JGTierney
Citizen
Username: Jtg7448
Post Number: 147
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:22 am: |
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I'm having my first baby now - and will be begining the childcare 'quest' shortly.
You can really park your car all day at these child care centers?
South Mountain Y allows you to do that?
I know this has been asked before, but how difficult is it to start your child at a center when it is NOT at September start??
Also - how flexible is day care in general?
Both my nusband and I commute to NYC but we do not want to have our child in a 7-7, 5 days per week situation. Do you still pay full time if you pick the child up at 3:00 everyday?
How does this work?? |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 415
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:24 am: |
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South Mountain Nursery and Kindergarten (SMNK) is moving in the fall. The owner, Barbara Citron, bought a building on Newark Way. Construction has not yet begun, so it is anybody's guess whether it will be ready and have all the necessary state approvals by the fall. Regarding Tutor Time, that's interesting. I never had considered one of these chain places. Maybe I'll look into it. And by the way, the closest train stations would be Short Hills (White Oak Ridge Road to Hobart Ave) or South Orange (straight down SO Ave). |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 1072
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:38 am: |
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I don't know that the Y "let's" people park in their lot all day but I think some people do it. You day have to pay for a full day. I would call the director, Marie, for questions about availibility. She is very nice. Let me (or Duncan, or algebra) know if you have any other Y quesitons. |
bookgal
Citizen
Username: Bookgal
Post Number: 512
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:46 am: |
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I am a Y parent and have been for many years and completely outraged that people even consider it appropriate to park their car there all day. It can often be difficult if not impossible to find a parking spot. If spots are being taken by parents for the entire day that limits the number of spots available for people picking up and dropping off. |
algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1730
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:59 am: |
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Parking at the Y around 6:00 is horrendous. Last night I parked in the HS lot and walked. At pick-up time people really need to get their kids and GO! Also, it enrages me that people still park in the fire lane -- what are these parents thinking?? Some doofus parked pretty much in the exit driveway on the Jefferson side last night, god forbid there was a fire and these idiots cars blocked a fire truck.
Rant over. |
Duncan
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 1669
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 11:36 am: |
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Oh My God.... Algy and I agree on something. I cannot imagine the gaul of people who think its ok to do that. It doesnt even register to them that they are putting their own children at risk never mind the countless others. I get that its hard to juggle a toddler and infant and those of us with one older child should park farther away in deference to those parents with 2 kids. BUT IT IS NEVER OK to park in that fire lane.
Rant II the sequel over.(a co-production of freshwater-films,LLC and algebronics)
"The truth is always a compound of two half- truths, and you never reach it, because there is always something more to say."-- Tom Stoppard
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kss
Citizen
Username: Kss
Post Number: 64
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 11:39 am: |
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We just went & visited Amy at the Hilton Church "Annex" (2 year olds) of South Mountain Day School today. She was absolutely wonderful & the program sounds great. The problem of course is their building situation & how this will affect things. According to Amy, their lease on the Ridgewood Place is up on 6/28 so I assume construction has to be done then on the Newark Way facility. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 418
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 11:48 am: |
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The lease is up on 6/28? Hmmm. I did not know that. I thought they'd be there through the summer. I have heard about this place called Suburban Hills in West Orange. Don't know anything about it, but it might be worth checking out. |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 1077
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 2:57 pm: |
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I was't approving of the practice, just reporting it. And I agree about the parking habits of some in the Y lot. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 1017
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 3:49 pm: |
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I have to chuckle a bit about the fact that some people at the Y will wait in a line to get as close as possible to the front entrance. Many times I'll park next to the dumpster or in that vicinity and take that grueling 100yd walk to the front door, go inside, pick up my son and come out the door just as some of the people in line are finding parking spots. Kind of like parking hawks at the mall. |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 1078
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 4:12 pm: |
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I agree sports, never understood that. Its why Americans are so fat. If they can't park right out front, they ain't interested (like those who complain about parking in downtown Mwood). |
algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1734
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 4:20 pm: |
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I can't imagine leaving my kid sitting inside and piddling away 10 minutes of my night because I am sitting outside waiting for a convenient spot! |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 43
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 5:03 pm: |
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Again, Tutor Time has PLENTY of parking  As for its convenience to the train, I take the train from the S.O. station. It takes me about 5 or 6 minutes to drive from TT to the train station.
JGTierney, as for your questions, last year I went through what you are going through now. Most places offer part time (but rarely for infants). Also, there are many day care facilities that are only open until 6pm. TT is open until 6:30pm and the Y, I believe, is open until 7pm. Initially, we were on the waiting list for the Y, but there weren't any spots when we were ready. The Y is difficult if you have anything other than a Sept start date because they rotate all kids at the same time (sept). So, spots are only available infrequently during the rest of the year (if a child moves, etc.) Tutor Time does not rotate classrooms at the same time. Children are transitioned upwards when they are ready. There are therefore spots available throughout the year. There are arguments for each approach. I won't get into the merits of either. We went with TT because we needed childcare in April and I wasn't about to plan my labor and delivery around a September start date at a daycare center. As I mentioned previously, I have loved TT since we started our daughter there, and the timing worked for us.
As for both of you working in the city, same with my husband and I and it is very difficult at times, so be prepared. Also, it's good to have a back-up plan because, at any time, you are over an hour away from your child. During the most recent black out we were both stuck in the city until the next morning. Thank god for my in-laws.
Handygirl
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aneighbor
Citizen
Username: Aneighbor
Post Number: 40
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 8:49 pm: |
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Shoshanna,
We were skeptical about Tutor Time being a chain when we first were looking into it. We then learned that while they are a chain, they are all privately owned. As posted earlier, the owners are a young couple...the wife has a degree in education while the husband has the business knowledge. They really run a good program. |
Wendyn
Citizen
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 166
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 8:43 am: |
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OT...In defense of those of us who sometimes wait for a space at the Y...when I just had my toddler I never did that. But now that I am carrying an infant AND keeping track of my toddler the walk from the dumpster area can be very long. My toddler either runs as fast as she can so I can't see where she is going, or dawdles (talks to the cat, plays in the snow) so much that I almost drop my baby because my arms are killing me. Some days I am in the mood to attempt it, but most days I want to be as close as possible to eliminate this harrowing experience. Can't wait for baby to walk so I can park further away again! FYI I NEVER park in the fire lane or handicapped spot, no matter how long I have to wait.
Back on topic, my kids love the Y. |
Duncan
Citizen
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 1670
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 8:52 am: |
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Must be a sign of the Armegeddon when, in one thread, I agree with both Algebra and Sportsnut. Just goes to show ya.
"The truth is always a compound of two half- truths, and you never reach it, because there is always something more to say."-- Tom Stoppard
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Indi
Citizen
Username: Indi
Post Number: 14
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 10:18 pm: |
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We went with Superkids on Broad St in Summit. The owners are always there and seem to work longer hours than we do. They are great people and really love our progeny. We entered in October. They are open from 7am to 7pm (the last hour is an extra charge.) There was never a charge whenever our commute was delayed. There is no discount for picking up the kid early or for any vacation or sick days you need to take. There is plenty of parking for pick up and drop off. For your own commute, return to Maplewood/SO or continue on to Summit station and parking garage. |
eln
Citizen
Username: Ns815
Post Number: 23
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 9:31 am: |
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It's great to hear positive things about Tutor Time, but I've heard negative things from a couple of people. Mainly that it's not clean. Is there another Tutor Time that people could be talking about? |
kss
Citizen
Username: Kss
Post Number: 66
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 11:17 am: |
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We're going to check it out on Friday so we'll let you know what we see. Back to South Mountain's new location on Newark Way though, we drove by there yesterday. The building looked kind of small to house all the classes even if they used an apparent basement. I liked the sound of their program & was sure I cared about their move but now am having second thoughts. |
aneighbor
Citizen
Username: Aneighbor
Post Number: 42
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 8:11 pm: |
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I can't imagine it's the same Tutor Time, unless I'm missing something. Like I said in an earlier post it's less than 2 years old, and seems very clean, not to mention up to date. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 45
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 1:34 pm: |
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I also can't imagine that it would be the same Tutor Time. My daughter was in the infant room for six months and has been in the toddler room for 3 months now and I have never seen anything that could in any sense be considered unclean. The women use rubber gloves when changing babies, immediately dispose of the diapers and disinfect changing tables right away. The food tables have always been clean and all toys are disinfected regularly. My inlaws frequently pick up my daughter from TT and often spend 20-30 minutes just hanging out there (which is encouraged) and sometimes take her to the other activity rooms and if there was anything to be remotely concerned about, they would have been all over it. So, I'm guessing that it was another TT.
Handygirl
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eln
Citizen
Username: Ns815
Post Number: 28
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 1, 2004 - 8:46 pm: |
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Thanks for that -- we'll check TT out for ourselves. |
M J J
Citizen
Username: Mjmj
Post Number: 8
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 - 2:14 pm: |
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Have you looked into Monday Morning Moms? I've not used them, but have heard they are great: http://www.mondayam.com/Cen_Jersey.htm
Also, I recently heard that the maplewood parent resource center can suggest in home day care (where you take your child to another person's house and they watch 5 or 6 kids). I don't know how to get in contact with them though. |
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