When/How did you start looking for daycare?

ntnylizard

I really don't know where to start here, and questions from some people are starting to scare me.  I'm not even through the first tri yet, and a handful of people have asked what daycare plans we have.

So when and how did you start looking?  And if you don't mind sharing, anyone have price ranges for in-home care in the Harrisburg area for a four- to six-month old?

rlthomas7

I started very early, before I had even told some people that I was pregnant, because I was looking for 3-day a week care and that's hard to find. I can't help with in-home care though because we were only interested in centers. Sorry!

ntnylizard

Well, I'm likely looking for three-day a week care too, so any info you have to offer on centers is appreciated, too.  I think I know what I want, but if cost or other factors make in-home unreasonable, I'm open to other options!

rlthomas7

In-home care is generally less expensive than centers, so you will probably do well there. We only looked on the West Shore, so I can tell you a few in Mechanicsburg or Camp Hill that take part time. I think you said you wanted Harrisburg though. I do know that the Jewish Community Center on Front Street does part-time, but they are among the most expensive centers around. They're amazing, but you pay for the quality that you get.

innerpeace

I would definitely start by searching through the Keystone STARS program.  It doesn't necessarily matter what star level the program is at, just that they're participating-- that way they're continually working to improve their center beyond just what the state requires.

https://www.pakeys.org/stars/centers.aspx

sunriz

I was due May 1st and we started looking in Jan.  We looked at both centers and home daycares.  We never felt comfortable with the home daycares, but the ones we checked out were not licensed.  They were between 100-150  FT/ week.  We felt more comfortable with centers...since they have poilicies and procedures.  Most places we checked into were around 200 FT/week.  Most places do not take pt infants.  All of the places we looked at are on the West shore.  Someting to think about...where Addy goes we got placed on the waiting list in January looking for and October start.  That was when they had an opening to get her in, so if I needed it sooner we would not have gotten in, or if someone was before us, they would have gotten the spot.  Centers were not surprised we were looking so early, however in home providers were.  GL!