Let's talk child care...

[aprilz81]

So I finally quit procrastinating and called a lot of local day care centers for pricing and availability.  Not too many wait lists but OMG the prices...     The cheapest I found I'm worried about being really bad because it is $180/week when most are in the $280/week range.  I would much rather pay $180 but don't want my daughter in a sketchy place.  I'm in a medium cost of living city (suburbs) so I'm sure our going rates are cheaper than a lot of places but I swear the prices have jumped a ton since I started researching places when I was pregnant with Ava.  I thought I found spots in traditional daycare centers for around $800/month...

I'm also trying to find info on in-home daycare places to have more of a "family" feel but trying to find availability information is hard since those places usually only advertise when they have an opening.

We will probably do tours between Christmas and New Year's when DH and I both have time off and can go together.  I doubt he really cares (in a "do whatever you think is best" way, not that he literally doesn't care where we take Faith) but I want him with me.

[pinkcat]

Child care has constantly been on the back of my mind too- I have been procrastinating it because thinking about the prices and choosing a place or a provider makes me panic!

I don't have any suggestions, just commiseration. The pricing I have found has been similar to what you're seeing. I would also love an in home daycare or even a nanny who could come to our home but I'm not sure where to look.

My family is going to help out 1 or 2 days a week and I will try to work from home 1 or 2 days a week, so we are hopefully only going to need someone 1 day a week. I really need to get on this and start looking more seriously!

[amesie]

Nov 27, 2017 14:07:33 GMT -6 pinkcat said:

Child care has constantly been on the back of my mind too- I have been procrastinating it because thinking about the prices and choosing a place or a provider makes me panic!

I don't have any suggestions, just commiseration. The pricing I have found has been similar to what you're seeing. I would also love an in home daycare or even a nanny who could come to our home but I'm not sure where to look.

My family is going to help out 1 or 2 days a week and I will try to work from home 1 or 2 days a week, so we are hopefully only going to need someone 1 day a week. I really need to get on this and start looking more seriously!

I know a lot of people who have had luck finding great nanny’s in care.com

[maddisonrose]

I am definitely no help here being in Canada but our daycare situation is terrible money wise. We live in a really expensive city which obviously means childcare will be more expensive, but it's actually insane. We pay $1285 per month and are responsible for providing all of our own meals/snacks, diapers/wipes etc.

Thankfully Declan will be starting Kindergarten 6 months after Maddox begins daycare because having them both in daycare at the same time makes me pee my pants a little!

[jessijean]

I'd suggest checking with your state's Dept of Social Services as many of them usually have a current(ish) list of licensed in-home daycares.

Not to scare anyone but we literally went through 4 daycares in DS's first year of life. We had horrible luck but shortly after he turned one we found an unlicensed, yet amazing, in-home daycare and haven't looked back.

[helloerrbody]

Nov 27, 2017 14:28:44 GMT -6 amesie said:

Nov 27, 2017 14:07:33 GMT -6 pinkcat said:

Child care has constantly been on the back of my mind too- I have been procrastinating it because thinking about the prices and choosing a place or a provider makes me panic!

I don't have any suggestions, just commiseration. The pricing I have found has been similar to what you're seeing. I would also love an in home daycare or even a nanny who could come to our home but I'm not sure where to look.

My family is going to help out 1 or 2 days a week and I will try to work from home 1 or 2 days a week, so we are hopefully only going to need someone 1 day a week. I really need to get on this and start looking more seriously!

I know a lot of people who have had luck finding great nanny’s in care.com

I was going to suggest this. Found my babysitter who does about 10-14 hours a week for us on care.com and she’s AMAZING. You just have to be willing to interview some not-so-great ones in the process.

[rebeccabunch]

Nov 27, 2017 15:46:59 GMT -6 helloerrbody said:

Nov 27, 2017 14:28:44 GMT -6 amesie said:

I know a lot of people who have had luck finding great nanny’s in care.com

I was going to suggest this. Found my babysitter who does about 10-14 hours a week for us on care.com and she’s AMAZING. You just have to be willing to interview some not-so-great ones in the process.

I found 2 good nannies on this site. You have to do more work and may have some annoying interviews or no shows but there are good people on there.

[watermelonseed]

Oh daycare. Because of H’s Work schedule we need about 18-22 hours a week of PT care 4 Days a week. I drop off and he picks up with slightly varying hours.

I used to think PT care would be easier. Wrong! In DD1’s first year we had a sitter (middle aged woman) come to our house and she just literally did not show up one morning. No call, no show. after some investigating I found out she wound up having mental health issues. She intentionally hit her daughters car and so on. So scary.

Immediately after that my aunt helped us out until we found an in home unlicensed daycare who works with our schedule. $5.50/hr cash includes meals and snacks. We love her!!

She came recommended by a close friend and we haven’t ever looked back. She will take both DD1 and new baby for $8.50/hr. This rate works for us since we alter hours and she’s so sweet. She gives me all her daughters hand me down clothes, too.

Finding a place that works all the way around can be a struggle.

Some questions that helped me when we were looking:
Holidays
Flex time for pick up/drop offs
Personal vacation time- do you still pay etc
Sibling discounts
Snacks/meals included or not
Supplies - what is needed, who/when notified for refills
Activities schedule
Disciplinary policies
Daily reports
Child sick policies

[aprilz81]

The bargain basement rate for nannies on care.com is $10/hour which is $400 a week plus we would have to pay THEIR payroll taxes (employer portion of Social Security, Medicare, etc.) because we can't (legally) pay them as a general contractor. All of that is probably over $150 a week more expensive than a day care center so right now it really isn't an option for us. I just can't justify the cost. If we have another baby then it will be worth a look even if we pay a slightly higher rate for two kids it would probably be the same/slightly cheaper than a day care center.

[rebeccabunch]

I’ve always used nannies so I don’t have direct daycare experience but I think this is a good time to start thinking about it! It’s not too late.

If I was going to use a DC I’d try to find recs from other local moms in my area, especially ones that used the DC when their kids were babies.

[bassa]

I stayed home with DD for her first year, so I'm no help for the baby stage.

But for the sake of anecdotes, once she turned 1 she started going to a daycare part time. We love the daycare! Small class size, always two teachers in the room, lots of important socialization, they do art projects, music, outside play, and it gives her a reliable routine.

[helloerrbody]

Nov 27, 2017 18:03:21 GMT -6 aprilz81 said:

The bargain basement rate for nannies on care.com is $10/hour which is $400 a week plus we would have to pay THEIR payroll taxes (employer portion of Social Security, Medicare, etc.) because we can't (legally) pay them as a general contractor. All of that is probably over $150 a week more expensive than a day care center so right now it really isn't an option for us. I just can't justify the cost. If we have another baby then it will be worth a look even if we pay a slightly higher rate for two kids it would probably be the same/slightly cheaper than a day care center.

I know several nannies who charge less than $10/hour if it's a full time job.  I found my girl through care.com but I don't pay her through there or anything so we negotiate pay on our own.

[aprilz81]

Nov 27, 2017 21:59:44 GMT -6 helloerrbody said:

Nov 27, 2017 18:03:21 GMT -6 aprilz81 said:

The bargain basement rate for nannies on care.com is $10/hour which is $400 a week plus we would have to pay THEIR payroll taxes (employer portion of Social Security, Medicare, etc.) because we can't (legally) pay them as a general contractor. All of that is probably over $150 a week more expensive than a day care center so right now it really isn't an option for us. I just can't justify the cost. If we have another baby then it will be worth a look even if we pay a slightly higher rate for two kids it would probably be the same/slightly cheaper than a day care center.

I know several nannies who charge less than $10/hour if it's a full time job.  I found my girl through care.com but I don't pay her through there or anything so we negotiate pay on our own.

Oh, that is good to know...  Do you pay their payroll taxes or do they take care of it?

[sunfrogger]

We had family watch DD1 until she was about 18-19mo old. Then we switched to am unlicensed in home and this lady has not been the best. So I'm using some resources at work to put her in a regular day care until I go out. We're in the same boat of looking for care :/

[helloerrbody]

Nov 27, 2017 22:05:53 GMT -6 aprilz81 said:

Nov 27, 2017 21:59:44 GMT -6 helloerrbody said:

I know several nannies who charge less than $10/hour if it's a full time job.  I found my girl through care.com but I don't pay her through there or anything so we negotiate pay on our own.

Oh, that is good to know...  Do you pay their payroll taxes or do they take care of it?

I just pay her cash. 😬😬😬 If she was more full time, we would negotiate pay based on taxes taken out.

[sarahh]

Right now the plan for us to keep DD1 in preschool and with her sitter which leaves two half days that DH has her. The baby is going to stay with DH (his business is at our house) probably through April to get through flu season. However, DH may have a job opportunity that will start at the beginning of the year which will change our plans completely. I am pushing for a full time daycare because the way we have DD1 structured now, DH takes her to school and either the sitter picks her up or DH does and it feels like a lot of shuttling around. Plus her preschool you have to pack a lunch and the daycare has a nutritionist who prepares their meals and snacks which would be nice. I did a price comparison and once the baby is on the same schedule as DD1 (preschool at the church and sitter)the cost is only a couple hundred more to do the daycare option which for me seems like less hassle. So my only advice is to not just look at cost (if its not much different), but to look at convenience for you.

[sarahh]

Oh and our sitter is really an in home daycare with only 4 kids including one of her own and DD1 who is part time with her. We pay her cash weekly and she handles the taxes on her end.

[rebeccabunch]

Nov 28, 2017 7:34:46 GMT -6 helloerrbody said:

Nov 27, 2017 22:05:53 GMT -6 aprilz81 said:

Oh, that is good to know...  Do you pay their payroll taxes or do they take care of it?

I just pay her cash. 😬😬😬 If she was more full time, we would negotiate pay based on taxes taken out.

And aprilz81 we average 33 hours a week (27 one week 36 the next alternating) and it’s HCOL so $$ per hour and we still just pay in cash. Actually Zelle payments.

[rebeccabunch]

Nov 28, 2017 7:41:58 GMT -6 sarahh said:

Oh and our sitter is really an in home daycare with only 4 kids including one of her own and DD1 who is part time with her. We pay her cash weekly and she handles the taxes on her end.

This sounds like a nice arrangement! And I agree with you about considering convenience.

[hiimjamie]

We go to a daycare center. It’s open from 6-6:30. DS is usually there form 8:30-6. They provide breakfast, lunch and snacks. They do sign language with the babies and Spanish w the older kids. They focus on STEM. We’ve really loved it there. The infant room is $215, 1 year old room is $185, 2 year old room is $165. Those are weekly rates. I’m kind of freaking out about having 2 kiddos there. We picked a center by my work vs close to home bc the rates there are $100+ lower weekly. We like our center bc it functions very much like a school. The one year old are even separated. Younger Ones are 12-18 months and Older Ones are 18-24 months. They share a large room that is separated by a full wall with a door and they play together in the morning and at night but lessons are all separate. DS really thrives there. He so smart and has so many friends. It just amazes me to walk in and see all of them sitting at a table “reading books”, doing a craft or having meals or whatever. Even in the one year old room! It’s nice knowing that it will be open regardless of if a teacher is sick. It won’t ever leave us in a tough spot looking for back up care. They are closed on Major holidays but we’re generally off too. We get one free week of vacation per year (if you refer someone you get another week). They also offer sibling discounts and discounts for both my and my wife’s employer. Oh and they potty train, we get all the updates on his daily sheet.

[sunfrogger]

^and this is all of the reasons we are leaning towards center based care. I'm nervous about the costs though.

[cake]

IT is next to impossible to find a licenced daycare here who accepts infants (under 18 months). There are only 2 facilities in my city that will let you put a child on the wait list before they are born and the wait time is typically 12-18 months. I guess they just expect everyone to take the one year maternity leave?

I got lucky and have a spot at one daycare for June 1. The baby will be 4 months. It is not my first choice, especially when at the tour I asked what the youngest child is that they have and the response I got was ‘well we really like them to be as close to 1 as possible but occasionally we have a child a couple months younger’. But I really have no other options. We are hoping that our number 1 choice at the YMCA becomes available but I won’t know until closer to the time. I’ve been on the wait list since July 1st.

Fees are $60 a day. Minimum wage is going up to $14/hour in January so I would assume daycare rates will go up as well.

[hiimjamie]

Another thing, bc I’m a paranoid crazy lady. The Daycare is full of cameras that are already recording. My Home has one camera and I can’t see every room w it. A home care may or may not have that.

I will say, I went to a Home care place growing up and I’m fine and my parents neighbor who I’ve know my whole like used to run a daycare in her Home. I just can’t trust people.

[mrsp84]

+1 to checking your state licensing website for any infractions on Daycare centers. If there have been any incidents that have been looked into, all documentation can be found on that website. I’m only familiar with MI, but am happy to share what we have so you can look for something similar in your state. It was seriously such an eye opener.

My two cents: we chose to go with a Center vs in home Daycare for a few reasons. 1. The in-homes that I was looking at had some sketchy things that were reported.
2. I didn’t like the idea that the in-home provider could possibly have strangers in and out of their house without some type of security.
3. I loved the socialization part. DD was going to be interacting with other babies/kids her age. At in-home daycares, the provider is only allowed to have so many kids each age. So my baby would have been the only baby and then other kids that are older (1-6).
4. The security. Having to enter a code to get in is comforting knowing that someone is always monitoring the door.

My DD has been in daycare since she was 10 weeks old and is now 4. I won’t lie, it was so so hard in the beginning leaving her there. It does get better. It’s good for their socialization and they seriously do so much to keep the babies/kids stimulated throughout the day.

Our daycare is open from 6:30-6 daily and DD goes 3 days/week and we pay $150 (for pre-k). They provide breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks. DD is usually there from 7am-530.

Sorry this got long!

[aprilz81]

Nov 28, 2017 12:27:21 GMT -6 mrsp84 said:

+1 to checking your state licensing website for any infractions on Daycare centers. If there have been any incidents that have been looked into, all documentation can be found on that website. I’m only familiar with MI, but am happy to share what we have so you can look for something similar in your state. It was seriously such an eye opener.

My two cents: we chose to go with a Center vs in home Daycare for a few reasons. 1. The in-homes that I was looking at had some sketchy things that were reported.
2. I didn’t like the idea that the in-home provider could possibly have strangers in and out of their house without some type of security.
3. I loved the socialization part. DD was going to be interacting with other babies/kids her age. At in-home daycares, the provider is only allowed to have so many kids each age. So my baby would have been the only baby and then other kids that are older (1-6).
4. The security. Having to enter a code to get in is comforting knowing that someone is always monitoring the door.

My DD has been in daycare since she was 10 weeks old and is now 4. I won’t lie, it was so so hard in the beginning leaving her there. It does get better. It’s good for their socialization and they seriously do so much to keep the babies/kids stimulated throughout the day.

Our daycare is open from 6:30-6 daily and DD goes 3 days/week and we pay $150 (for pre-k). They provide breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks. DD is usually there from 7am-530.

Sorry this got long!

I will be VERY, VERY picky about in-home centers. 

I have a friend who I would love to ask (she is a former roommate with two kids, 3 and almost 1, and she stays home with them) to watch Faith for 6 months or so to keep her out of a center for a little longer.  Unfortunately her husband is going through chemo so I don't even want to bring up the idea with her until their life settles down and is back to normal.  Again, my ideal scenario is to keep Faith at home or in an in-home center until she is about 1, then move her to a more traditional center for socialization and stimulation.  Plus the toddler rates are a bit cheaper than infant care.  I just don't know if I'm going to be able to make it happen or not.