the economy, daycare and paycuts

loree

well, this week, our company took us all by surprise and laid off 20% of our staff. and those of us still standing were told we are getting a 10% pay cut. we will get by, but we are just getting ready to start daycare and i'm wondering if i should let this affect my decision.

 we have a so/so place that is $63 for both girls per day. we will at this point, only have them at daycare ONE day. it's basically just a giant babysitting place, doesn't seem like they do to much with the babies besides feeding them, changing them and putting them on the floor or in a swing. i went to visit kindercare yesterday which will be like $130 for both girls per day. i liked it better knowing that they work with the babies developmentally and engage with them. this is really expensive, but if it's the better option, i will pay it - and if we would find it is too much for us to spend, we could get out of the contract.

at 7 months and only one day per week, what would you do? i feel like it's a life or death decision and it's really not. we're going to visit one more place today. the thing is, DH was only able to visit the first place with me, so he's not much help in the decision making. 

it's just horrible timing since we don't yet know how my pay cut will affect us. i have 3 weeks to figure this out!

sweater

I think you should go with the kindercare for now and see how if you can swing it financially. You don't seem comforable with the first place, and it will drive you nuts while they're there just thinking about it.

?good luck!!?

beefsbride

Ditto Sweater -- I think you need to do whatever is going to make you feel best.  If you can swing it financially (even with the pay cut) go for the kindercare.  Or at least try it at first.

I know this must be a tough decision, especially with the situation.  I'm sorry to hear about the cuts -- this just sucks!