Infant Care Options
It’s time to revisit the childcare options available for infants in our neighborhoods. This is always such an intensely personal decision. We’re not here to say what type of care is right for you and your child, just to share info. I found it incredibly difficult to find infant care so good luck to all those who will soon be making that decision! Click through to see some suggestions and to add your own.
One route is to have a full or part-time nanny or to share a nanny with another family. We used a nanny placement service for our first part-time babysitter, and then used online resources to find second one for ourselves. You can now easily do criminal and background checks online, so doing it myself wasn’t too bad.
There are a handful of folks who offer care in their homes for their infants, you need to contact them well in advance of needing them as they book early. Pauline Hillsman on Leicester watched our daughter from 15 – 24 months. She was incredible. Her house is always spotless, and the kids are always happy. She takes children 6wks to 2.5 years. Mrs. Brown, near Crossroads Coffee also watches children in her home. In the fan area, there is Mrs. Babb’s who I’ve heard good things about.
There are a few centers that also watch infants; Tuckaway Ellwood, Minnieland, Goddard are among some of the options.
For children two and older consider these in addition to the centers above: Forest Hill Presbyterian (for which I’ll give a personal recommendation, our daughter has gone there for several years, it’s low-key and provides a warm, learning environment), Second Street Presbyterian.
Please add your recommendations in the comments. Thanks!
‘Chesterbrook Academy’ in Bon Air also accepts infants (from 6 weeks old).
thank you thank you! Due in Feb and was not even sure where to start….
Aso Rainbow Station in the boulders, athough they are an expensive option.
I visited Tuckaway recently and was not particularly impressed.
We used the SitterCity website to find someone who comes to our home. We did our own interviews and such. She’s been with us through both babies now.
There’s also http://www.rivercitysitters.com/ which works a little differently – they have a pool of staff sitters, and when you call they just send out them out as needed. Interesting concept.
I had also forgotten to mention Raggedy Ann’s which is right off of jahnke road north of train tracks. Friends of mine sent their two boys there. Not sure how young they work with.
River City Sitters worked great for me, when I had a regular babysitter lapse. For young children it is a little tough sense they can be mistrustful of strangers. But when My day care provider was gone for a week on vacation, the service came in handy to fill in.
Raggedy Ann is terrific, but they start at a year.
How can I get in contact with Pauline Hillsman?
Pauline’s home number is 231-4147.
Does anyone have a number or contact info for Mrs. Brown? Thanks!
Also hope Richard doesn’t mind if I add that we’re a family with a 16-month-old daughter, looking so share a nanny with another family in the Westover Hills area. Families could contact me at rjmarr@gmail.com if they are interested – thanks!
Not a problem at all Rich. With a name like that, I think you must be a stand up guy.
Thanks for this post Richard! Do you have numbers or any further info for Mrs. Brown and/or Mrs. Babbs?
Sorry I don’t have any further info. or phone numbers.
@Joanna – Babs’ infant care program is 804-359-7792, but they’re waitlisted until next year.
An excellent option in the Fan area is Grace Covenant Child Development Center (t. 213-0200). They take ages from 6 weeks to Pre K nd have a reasonable wait list.
I really liked grace covenant when i checked it out, they’ve been open for 6 or 7 years now. I had a hard time tracking them down online so wondered if they were still active. I thought they were GROVE covenant, which contributed to my confusion. They’re near stuart circle, right?
Grace Covenant’s Child Care Center’s website is http://www.grace-covenant.org/index.php?/we-grow/cdc and it is near Stuart Circle (Monument & Lombardy).
RAGGEDY ANNES!!!!! my daughter was their first child almost ten years ago and she still visits regularly. Kathy C. better known as “Sassy” is still a major part of our lives and my daughter loves her! I tried many day cares and was very blessed to have found Raggedy Annes. You have to see it to believe it!
Grace Covenant also has space for ages 2 1/2-5 in their preschool at reasonable weekly rates if anyone is considering options for their older kids as well.
Hello!
I am due in February and would love to find another family in Church Hill who is interested in sharing a nanny. Please feel free to call or email me.
Tracy:
804.833.4110
tcsco@usa.net
My wife and I entrusted our first born with Pauline Hillsman based upon many referrals and a comfort level that was established from the first moment of meeting her. In fact, we walked away from a sizable non-refundable deposit at a very nice public daycare to do so, and I can say without hesitation that it was the best decision we’ve made to date as parents. To this day our son lights up at the mere mention of Miss Pauline, and always looks forward to any chance to see her. Beyond that he still has wonderful friendships with the group of kids that were fortunate enough to be in here care while he was there, they pick up right where they left off whenever they see each other. Her house is probably not for all parents, nor would any house be, which is why choosing childcare is such a personal decision, and Pauline would be the first to admit that not all kids will thrive in her environment. Fortunately she is honest about that and unwilling to create an environment that wont be beneficial to everyone there. Personally I respect that as much as anything else about her. My step-father said it best when he described her as the most nurturing woman he had ever met. I couldn’t agree more, which is why our 2nd child is in Pauline’s care today.
I hope this helps,
Paul
We are looking for childcare beginning in January 2013 for our will be 20 month old and 12 week old. Anyone have any updated recommendations? Is Pauline still around?
We are looking for someone to come to our home and care for our 9 month old daughter in January 2013. Chelsey what hours were you looking for childcare and would a nanny share be an option for you?