As a new parent, it can be terrifying to leave your child in the care of others while you go to work, run errands, or manage other responsibilities. With so many daycare options available, how can you be sure your child will receive the best care when you're not around?
I understand completely. As a first-time mom to an eight-month-old baby, I was extremely anxious about returning to work and placing her in daycare. What if she gets sick? What if they forget to feed her or change her diaper? What if she’s left in a bouncer for hours? Will the staff comfort her when she’s sad? These questions constantly ran through my mind, and I debated for months whether daycare was the right choice.
But after touring LE3, I knew she would be in the best hands. I am now also an LE3 employee so I can see firsthand how the company operates, and I am more confident than ever that I made the right decision.
Safety
All LE3 locations are licensed by OCFS, ensuring that staff follow strict safety rules and regulations. They maintain age-specific ratios to guarantee safe and attentive care, with a 1:4 teacher-to-baby ratio.
A major concern of mine was the possibility of my child spending too much time in a “container” (such as a bouncer). LE3 follows a policy that limits container use to 15 minutes at a time. Additionally, babies can only be awake in their cribs for a maximum of 15 minutes before being moved to a different activity. These rules help ensure that children are not left in one space for too long.
Safe sleep is a priority at LE3, just as it is at home. Each child has a designated crib with only a fitted sheet inside. Parents can provide a sleep sack and a pacifier, but nothing else is allowed in the crib. I was relieved to learn that LE3 prioritizes my daughter’s safety as much as I do!
Communication
LE3 uses an app called Brightwheel, which provides real-time updates about my child's day. I receive notifications about her diaper changes, feedings, naps, and activities.
One of my favorite features is the photo updates—LE3 requires teachers to send parents pictures throughout the day. It’s reassuring to see my daughter engaging in fun and educational activities!
Her teachers also go above and beyond to create adorable crafts. Though she’s only been at LE3 since December, I’ve already filled an entire folder with her school projects. It warms my heart knowing she’s learning colors, practicing fine and gross motor skills, and engaging in sensory play!
Feeding
LE3 follows each child’s individual feeding schedule, no matter their stage. In addition to bottle feeding they provide fresh breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily, including homemade purees. They’ll prepare food based on your baby’s needs—whether that means cutting pieces smaller, mashing food, or supporting a Baby-Led Weaning approach.
The consistency between home and daycare has made mealtime transitions seamless. Plus, she gets to try new foods while watching other babies learn to eat!
Benefits
Watching my daughter interact with other babies has been an amazing experience. She observes her friends as they sit independently, crawl, pull up to stand, and walk. She babbles back and forth with them and is learning the foundations of social interaction!
She’s also developing independence by spending time with people other than her parents. Her teachers are incredibly kind and provide detailed reports at the end of each day.
Of course, she gets sick sometimes—but that’s just a reality of daycare and school. Over time, her immune system will strengthen. LE3 takes cleanliness seriously, ensuring that all toys are sanitized as needed and at the end of each day.
Overall
I’m so happy I chose to enroll my daughter in daycare. It gives her a change of scenery while allowing me to step away from "mom mode" for a few hours.
LE3 is more than just a daycare—it’s a home away from home for our children. They are treated with love, respect, and compassion every day. Some days, I feel like she learns more at school than she does at home with me!
I know I made the right choice with LE3, and I’m confident you’ll feel the same way.
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