Kona Daycare Recommendations? (Kailua, Captain Cook: rent, insurance, day care)

[mommyofmanykids]

I have come across several Montessoris, pre-schools, nanny/babysitter services, private Christian schools with wraparound/after-school child care, etc. in Kona but not very many regular daycare centers...

I am looking for a place/provider for my 2 year old daughter to attend all day...and for my twin kindergarteners to attend after school (something they can ride the bus to)...preferably with educational benefits/structure (not just a play center). Clean, trustworthy, etc.

I did find a center south of town (Captain Cook area) that received good reviews and looks nice, but now I'm looking for something right in Kona if possible, or perhaps a few minutes north or south of town.

Any provider referrals would be greatly appreciated.

[mommyofmanykids]

It almost appears from web postings that many parents opt to hire babysitters there, as opposed to drop-in centers. Perhaps that's the way to go, considering the fluctuating school schedule (Furlough Fridays and half days on Wednesdays)...

[OpenD]

Don't know if you saw this, but in case it might be helpful to you...

Child Care and Daycare Centers in Kailua-kona, HI | Kailua-kona HI Preschools | ChildcareCenter.us

[hotzcatz]

Kailua is the biggest town in the Kona district although there are a lot of Kailuas scattered across the islands, so most folks call this particular one "Kailua-Kona".

[mommyofmanykids]

Thanks Open D...that's the same list I looked at previously, which mostly only lists Montessoris, private schools, preschools, etc....having a hard time just finding regular daycare centers. I think I'll check with the state licensing division...they should have a master list of licensed providers....

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I looked in the Big Island phone book and found only one place advertising as "day care". It is located in Kailua town, but, again, it was the only one on the entire island. That should tell you something.

[mommyofmanykids]

Yikes

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

I looked in the Big Island phone book and found only one place advertising as "day care". It is located in Kailua town, but, again, it was the only one on the entire island. That should tell you something.

Phone books ads are expensive. Day care tends to be very small business and can not afford ads in the phone books.

I don't need day care (yet) but if I still had small children, I would start by calling churches and infant clothing stores and asking for recommendations.

Call whoever does the state licensing for day care and see if they have a list. Personally, I would not leave my precious child in an unlicensed, uninspected day care facility.

If you can afford a place with an extra room or ohana, there are plenty of decent people trying to move to Hawaii who would accept a nanny position for a place to live, meals, and a small stipend.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Personally, I would not leave my precious child in an unlicensed, uninspected day care facility...

If you can afford a place with an extra room or ohana, there are plenty of decent people trying to move to Hawaii who would accept a nanny position for a place to live, meals, and a small stipend.

Of course, the screening of an in-home sitter would be of great importance, also. If you are headed that direction, it might be better to "bring someone with you", such as a trusted person you already know. My neighbor girl (a recent high-school graduate at the time) spend a couple of years living with a family she knew that moved from Hawaii to the mainland. They paid for her flights, lodging/meals/medical insurance, and a small paycheck in exchange for watching the children. Win-win, since they already knew her and knew her lifestyle choices (ie, they did not need to worry about waking up to find the babysitter had invited her boyfriend to spend the night, nor worry that she'd be too hung over on Monday to get the kids off to school). She had the experience of living in a totally new nice environment without having to do any cash outlay.

[mommyofmanykids]

Of course I would NEVER leave my children with anyone who was not licensed (hence the reason I indicated I would check with the state licensing division) or that I had not run a thorough background check on myself, quite frankly.

It appears that most parents over there look for a babysitter using care.com or aupair.com, etc, as I mentioned.

At one point, I had considered bringing our nanny, but she is in college now and can't relocate.

I have also thought about bringing my mother, as she is getting older and needs someone to look after her anyway...she could live with us rent free in exchange for keeping an eye on the children. The question is whether or not my husband could stand to live with this mother-in-law That, and considering the houses are smaller in the islands than on the mainland, I don't know if we would have the space.

I also don't know whether I could convince her to come that far...she's a recluse that never leaves the house and would never get on a plane and fly over an ocean....unless I knocked her out first She has also said she wouldn't consider moving over until after we have been there for a year or two, to make sure we're staying put...which I completely understand.

So I guess I will have to run some ads when we arrive, interview candidates and do background checks on them. Or talk to local parents and see if they have any good recommendations of licensed in-home providers....they probably just aren't advertised as such, more word-of-mouth....

Good comments from everyone, thank you!