After much consideration and weighing the pros and cons, we have decided that we want Geneva in professional care outside the home instead of having a nanny. The advantages of a licensed caregiver, socialization, language skills and a stimulating environment won for us.
We checked out two Daycare/Early Learning centers today and were quite impressed. ”Snoopy” (I doubt the name and likeness is licensed) came highly recommended by several people and “Humanitos” (Little Humans) was nearby and we wanted to check it out. Both have highly trained personnel, great facilities indoor and outdoor play areas, and excellent pricing compared to what we are accustomed.
The rate for 4 hours per day, 5 days a week (80 hours per month) was between $110-150 per month. There are a few additional costs for materials and special activities, but considering we were paying over $800 per month for two full days per week (64 hours per month) of in-home care in MN, this is an incredible savings.
The two schools have a very similar format in that there are two sessions per day. Morning is from 8:30-12:30 and afternoon is 1:30-5:30. You could opt to attend both sessions, but the above pricing is for one session only.
Snoopy has been around for 30 years, and has this location and another one named Goody across town. It is a very popular program and as a result, very busy. The building is a renovated home (as is Humanitos) and was absolutely bustling with activity. I was amazed with how many instructors there were floating around. They also had an indoor “gym” (possibly a renovated sunroom?) which was nice and bright in the back of the building in case it was wet outside, like today.
Humanitos has been in existence for 15 years and was MUCH more calm, but with smaller facilities and fewer kids in each age group. Very professionally run, the staff was extremely warm and friendly for our drop-in visit. I loved their indoor play area as well, it was just within the interior of the building. Both buildings looked very safe with the proper child-proofing measures in place.
The integration process is incredible at both locations. It can take up to a week where you bring the child in for an hour (with parent present) and stay so that they can get accustomed to the new environment, knowing that you are there. The next day, you stay for a little longer. It will probably help the parents as well as the kids, although I think Geneva will start playing and think “Bye Mom, this place is GREAT!”
One thing that I was not wild about at first glance was the teacher-to-child ratio for the schools. At Geneva’s age group (she is almost 17 months), it is 1/6 at Humanitos and a possible 1/7 at Snoopy (but 1/6 with current enrollment). For toddlers, this seems like an awful lot of kids to one teacher, in my opinion. I looked up the MN childcare standards though, and much to my surprise, 1/7 is the limit for toddler care in daycare facilities back home.
I do have to mention the cutest thing in the world: The kids at both locations wear these sweet little “túnica” (smocks). They are just so sweet when you have a room full of little kids together wearing all of the same smocks. Can I get an “Aaawwwwwwwwww!”?
I have a referral from an Expat to one other center which I am definitely going to check out as well. I don’t know the exact location or format of the third center but I will add an update when I receive more info.
with baby rail and cushion. Packs flat. You can adjust the seat/foot rest to grow with the child and eventually become a standard chair that holds up to 300 lbs. Is a great design and we’ll use it forever. We have a 2008 model in red with the white baby rail and art stripe cushion. The 2009 models are changed slightly so be sure the chair and accessories work together. 
The only car seat that has a metal frame, FOLDS flat for storage/transit (great for getting through airports and into airplane seats) and fits up to an 80 lb kid. No booster seats here! This will be the only seat we’ll ever need.
I mentioned this one in a previous post and it really has been incredible. Set up takes about 30 seconds and pack up takes about a minute. Weighs a mere 11 lbs and comes with a sturdy bag that can be airport checked, or packed in a suitcase. Geneva loves the thing and we are still using it. I wanted to get a “real” crib when we got settled down here but I am starting to reconsider if we really should get anything else.
and several packs of wipes to get through the first few weeks
Comes with a storage bag and shoulder strap. Great for checking it at the airport. We left our larger stroller behind and brought this one to MVD both times. Was great when G was 3 months old and still great now with that she’s 16 months old. 
I brought two 8.5 oz bottles and wish I had more because I use it as a face cleanser, too. I like this because it is unscented, biodegradable and tear free. 
Safety 1st Kirby Inflatable Tub
Lots of hotel rooms and houses here only have showers (but they do have hand-showers). I received the tip to bring an inflatable tub when we visited a family here from Canada. It’s been wonderful.
Cloth storage bins that fold flat. I had used this style for my socks/tank tops, etc before baby and ended up getting two for Brad in blue and several for Geneva in a deep pink color. They’re great for toys, books and clothes (or the baby, as pictured at the top of this post) and once again, packs flat for transit. 
This is the walker version with holes for little feet, rather than just the sack for infants. It will be great for cool nights where blankets get frequently kicket off. I got the 2-3T size and it is huge on our tall girl. Something to grow into!
and 
Webcams are a must to stay in contact with the grandparents and other family back home via Skype. We purchased one for us and 4 to give as Christmas presents this past year. The reviews for this camera are outstanding and we have had the best experience with this after returning a previous webcam and giving others grief after also purchasing another brand of webcam. This is the best!
There is certainly a limit on how far I will walk, though. Take this morning for example, we went to go see the dogs. It is a little over a mile in each direction. By the time we got food and got back to the hotel, we estimate it was almost three miles round trip. The plan was to eat, go to the hotel for Geneva’s nap then take a cab ride into Ciudad Vieja (Old Town). Well, once we get back to the hotel Brad must have had a burst of post-empanada energy and suggests that we walk to Old Town. We did this last year when we visited. It was a beautiful walk along the water the whole way, but it is 5 miles in each direction with the curving coastline! That is simply too much for today. I don’t want to be a wuss, but I think my limit for walking without wining the whole way is about 6 miles per day tops. We’ll take the cab to Ciudad Vieja today and leave the walking trip for another time when we can start earlier and haven’t already done 3 miles. 
