Generic Child Care Cost Question

enkeli224

Someone recommended I check out care.com to get an idea of pricing for someone to watch a child -- in my home or their own.

I'm not pregnant, but my husband's biological clock is ticking and he's driving me nuts. I, however, don't know how much child care costs, nor can I figure out how we're supposed to afford it.

 Anyway...I'm looking at these people... $20 an hour?! That's $180 a day to cover DH and I's workday. There is no way that's right! It can't be! That's 900 a week!

Talk me off my ledge (I'm terrified of babies and pregnancy anyway...and I certainly can't afford 900 A WEEK). Day care in a one-on-one or minimal-children setting isn't THAT expensive, is it?

People have told me $200 a week or so for newborns, so I'm thinking these people are listing more like babysitting pricing rather than full time care, but still.

I'm not particularly interested in large child cares, but pricing for that is fine too. Just tell me it's less than $900 a week. 

Ha!

ntnylizard

Our daycare center charges about $250 a week for an infant.

LizSnover

I have seen between $200-$250 per week for an infant in this area. Not sure about in home care but it must be more expensive, though that seems very high to me.

Christina617

That price seems like a high priced nanny!  I agree that most centers in our area are about $200-$250 a week for full time infant care.  The price decreases as they move into the older classes.  In-home providers vary and can be less expensive or more expensive than centers. 

Good luck to you! 

spunkielexis196

We pay $262 on the 1st and 15 of the month.  My DS goes to the Child Care Center on the Navy Base so it is relatively inexpensive and we are at the top of the pay rate.  DS goes full time and they supply all food, snacks, formula, etc.  The only thing we supply is diapers, wipes and diaper cream. Of course you have to be either a military member/spouse or DoD civilian employee working on the base to qualify.

enkeli224

spunkielexis196:

We pay $262 on the 1st and 15 of the month.  My DS goes to the Child Care Center on the Navy Base so it is relatively inexpensive and we are at the top of the pay rate.  DS goes full time and they supply all food, snacks, formula, etc.  The only thing we supply is diapers, wipes and diaper cream. Of course you have to be either a military member/spouse or DoD civilian employee working on the base to qualify.

Sounds like you're very lucky to have that option! I work for government, but on a local level, and we don't get any such benefits

spunkielexis196

We are very lucky, the center is top rate in my opinion, and there is always a waiting list.  I definately think though if you check most in this area are reasonable, though I personally didn't check other prices.  My wonderful neighbor watched my son until we could get him in the center, it took 6 months.  We paid her $25/day and only the days he was with her. 

Tabby2727

The ones at the state (Labor & Industry/Finance Bldg/Education Bldg/PHEAA, etc) are $180 a week I believe and all have a waiting list.  I was lucky to have a neighbor across the street from me that babysits and she charges $20 a day for Hannah. I supply baby food, formula, diapers and wipes. When she's eatting regular food she provides it (probably pretty soon since she's refusing babyfood). I pay on days she doesn't go too (sick, vacation, etc).