Struggling with Childcare Options

Tiffany628

Hi ladies!  I originally posted this on the December board, but thought you might be able to shed some light as we are struggling what to do with our LO when I return to work after my maternity leave. 

I have been calling and searching the internet for childcare for when I return to work.  We were originally thinking my aunt who is a SAHM might be interested in watching the baby to make some extra money, but is only interested in occasional sitting.  Then a friend's mom runs a state licensed daycare out of her home was another option, but I called 3 weeks ago and she is already filled for next school year.  So I started on my search looking for nannies (10+ dollars an hour) and other in home day cares.   Daycare centers which are our last pick cost almost $300 per week and we must pay even when the baby is not there. 

We just interviewed two different people over the past week for unlicensed in home day care, which on the more affordable side for us, but not certain on either one.  We like one, but we must pay during breaks (Christmas/Spring) or when our LO doesn't attend (I'm a teacher) except for summertime.  The other one charges per the hour.  None of our other friends/family that are SAHM's live close enough to watch our LO.  

We are so perplexed on what to do.  Staying home is my first choice, but unfortunately not an option we can do right now.  Anyone else struggle with this issue?   How did you find childcare?

Spenjamins

You have to pay when your kid is out in most instances. Why would anyone really do business the other way?  They need the consistent income, too.

 

ahava2005

I have a nanny.  For three children, it works best for me.

But when my son was in daycare, we went with a private religious day care. You had to pay during breaks:  most work that way.  It would be very unusual to find a place that doesn't work that way...its a business and it still has to pay the rent/utilities during that break.  The only way to be sure NOT to pay for childcare when your child isn't using it is to find a nanny, and then you can just pay by the hour. 

Erin&Ryan

mbenit4:

For me, I don't like in home providers. I feel there aren't enough "eyes" seeing what is going on. When they are unlicensed there are often too many kids there for my taste. Also unlike at a daycare, the person is also trying to cook or prepare food and other things that may distract them from my child.

Nannies are too expensive for me.

I have always used daycare centers. I make sure they are licensed through the state. I can check the website to see what infractions if any there have been. They are also more reliable and consistent as far as holidays and hours go.

 Pretty much this exactly. And while you have to pay when your kid isn't there, the nice thing is that they are ALWAYS there. (What if you in-home provider is sick or wants to take a vacation? Then you're stuck at home burning needless vacation time).

DS has done wonderfully being in our daycare center and so far DD is adjusting great too.

GL with you decision.

EastCoastBride

Dont' discount nannies yet.  When I was recently looking, they all state $10 - $15 an hour, but most are flexible.  And especially those who don't have a ton of experience.  We've always paid our nannies a flat daily rate instead of hourly, and it works out to less than $10/hour.

A couple things, though, that we do to make it more "attractive" - we pay (as said) a daily rate.  meaning even if I come home early, they still get the full days pay.  Also, if I take a day off or vacation and dont' use them, I still pay them. It's MY choice to take time off, I still get paid, so I still pass that on to them.

As we only have a nanny PT, though, if they take a day off, I don't pay them. 

However, unless you find a nanny who would actually like the summers off (I actually used to have one that had kids and she liked not working a FT schedule during the summer), you may need to find a nanny (or child care in general) each year.   I have a friend who got really lucky and found a center that will let her not use them in the summer but can bring her DS back each school year - but many centers won't do this.  They are out to make $$.  Not do families favors! 

jenn_darrin1515

we are using an inhome dcp - but she is licensed..no way I would go with unlicensed childcare..almost all places require you to pay for holidays/vacation time...I would further explore the nanny option or other licensed childcare options...

Tiffany628

Thanks ladies for the suggestions.  We've looked into nannies which start at $10 an hour and something we just cannot swing.  We have been asking friends and family for different sources they use but none of them are even close to our area.  The closest is 30 minutes opposite of our house and then another 40 to my work. 

With the unlicensed in home day care, we  were hoping to find someone we like and someone that doesn't charge us when our LO is not there, which would consist of 3 weeks of break and about 6 days off a school year.  Also, on a day or two when the LO is sick and we keep her at home.  We are looking for 4 days a week roughly 9 hours a day.  I was thinking the unlicensed day cares would be more flexible in terms of this arrangement.  We were looking for a provider with a daily rate instead of an hourly/weekly rate. 

Day care centers are not really an option for us because of the price.  We just simply cannot afford $300 and upwards.   We've checked sittercity.com/care.com/craigslist and scoured the internet.  I already have the guilt for having to work and now I am even more upset with myself because we are at such a loss what to do.  We don't want to "settle" on someone and it not be someone we trust with her. 

Spenjamins

Tiffany628:

Thanks ladies for the suggestions.  We've looked into nannies which start at $10 an hour and something we just cannot swing.  We have been asking friends and family for different sources they use but none of them are even close to our area.  The closest is 30 minutes opposite of our house and then another 40 to my work. 

With the unlicensed in home day care, we  were hoping to find someone we like and someone that doesn't charge us when our LO is not there, which would consist of 3 weeks of break and about 6 days off a school year.  Also, on a day or two when the LO is sick and we keep her at home.  We are looking for 4 days a week roughly 9 hours a day.  I was thinking the unlicensed day cares would be more flexible in terms of this arrangement.  We were looking for a provider with a daily rate instead of an hourly/weekly rate. 

Day care centers are not really an option for us because of the price.  We just simply cannot afford $300 and upwards.   We've checked sittercity.com/care.com/craigslist and scoured the internet.  I already have the guilt for having to work and now I am even more upset with myself because we are at such a loss what to do.  We don't want to "settle" on someone and it not be someone we trust with her. 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I don't think you are going to find that.  You can't just pay someone's salary when you want to and it isn't like you are talking about a lot of time.

You get what you pay for, honestly.

DanielleWrly

Spenjamins:

Tiffany628:

Thanks ladies for the suggestions.  We've looked into nannies which start at $10 an hour and something we just cannot swing.  We have been asking friends and family for different sources they use but none of them are even close to our area.  The closest is 30 minutes opposite of our house and then another 40 to my work. 

With the unlicensed in home day care, we  were hoping to find someone we like and someone that doesn't charge us when our LO is not there, which would consist of 3 weeks of break and about 6 days off a school year.  Also, on a day or two when the LO is sick and we keep her at home.  We are looking for 4 days a week roughly 9 hours a day.  I was thinking the unlicensed day cares would be more flexible in terms of this arrangement.  We were looking for a provider with a daily rate instead of an hourly/weekly rate. 

Day care centers are not really an option for us because of the price.  We just simply cannot afford $300 and upwards.   We've checked sittercity.com/care.com/craigslist and scoured the internet.  I already have the guilt for having to work and now I am even more upset with myself because we are at such a loss what to do.  We don't want to "settle" on someone and it not be someone we trust with her. 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I don't think you are going to find that.  You can't just pay someone's salary when you want to and it isn't like you are talking about a lot of time.

You get what you pay for, honestly.

Sorry, but this. Are all the centers in your area around that range?

EastCoastBride

Spenjamins:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I don't think you are going to find that.  You can't just pay someone's salary when you want to and it isn't like you are talking about a lot of time.

You get what you pay for, honestly.

I've gotta agree with this.  Yes, I get that money is tight.  And I would hope that any provider ultimately does their job because they love kids, but at the same time, they need to make RELIABLE, consistent money. 

AmyCC1980

Have you checked into church daycare? I know that around here there are a lot of churches that offer full time care and they are usually cheaper than private DCs.  Of course, the waiting lists tend to be long too...  But you never know, you could get lucky. 

jenn_darrin1515

hmmm...I would think you could probably find a dcp that would go along with the set schedule of 4 days a week (my girls go mon-th from 7:30-5)...we pay a daily rate which is only about $30 less/week than the ft rate (but its still something)....

however it is very doubtful you will be able to find someone who is willing to let you not pay for a day when your child is sick or for 3 weeks here or there...

anglynn1124

That is just not how it works. Childcare providers are running businesses. Honestly unless this was unplanned  it really irritates me when people have babies and then say " i cant afford that" !    Babies & kids are expensive, so find ways in your budget to cut back so you can afford quality childcare for your child.  It's not an area to skimp on and nickel & dime about.

kaitlyn65

I think you just need to pick what is most important for your family - with room for compromise. If it is price and quality of care - then you might have to relax your requirements for not paying for care when you child is not there.

It is probably hard to imagine now - but you might want to still send your child to daycare for a day or two when you are on your holiday breaks for some YOU time, time to get errands, appointments, cleaning, etc done.

The_Jen626

I use an inhome daycare, I found her on craigslist, and we all LOVE her, she's wonderful.

I think you are going to have to accept that you just pay for the time that your baby isn't there.  That's the norm at every daycare that I have looked at.

DTNZ4Ever

You should be able to find a center that will do 4 days a week. I know when I was looking I was looking for 3 days a week and it wasn't a problem.  As for playing on breaks and days off the way I look at it you still get paid on your vacation time, sick days breaks etc the staff should too. Also I know our day care does give us one week 1/2 price week a year when DS will be out of the center for vacations etc.

DallasHorn

Ditto to all the posters that said you'll probably have a hard time finding a place that will not charge you at all over the breaks - sucks but is a fact of life.

If you or DH work for a larger company, did you check to see if they have any arrangements for a corporate rate at any local DC facilitites?

I remember being freaked about DC costs too and we make really good money. However, we used to easily drop $1000+ a month on "playing" before kids - eating out, drinking, etc. Frankly, that really went away b/c you can't bring a baby to a bar, and then when their older, eating out may not be as enjoyable.

UpNorthGal

Sorry if I sound like Captain Obvious, but I think you really only have 2 options:

1.) Look at your budget (assuming you have been over it with a fine tooth comb already) and determine if staying home with your baby for a short period of time is something you can swing until more money is being brought in.

2.) Look at your budget and determine how you can swing the additional daycare costs. Not sure what you and your DH do for a living, but maybe you can work overlapping shifts so your baby is only in daycare part-time.You might need to go to a center vs. home provider to get a part-time arrangement.

There is no way in he#$ I'd consider an unlicensed provider. I can appreciate the hard decisions you need to make, but as one poster said, this isn't the area you want to scrimp on.

JLS0320

My son started at an unlicensed in home center 3 wks ago. She came recommended and so far we like her. We pay $30/day on Mondays, sometimes he doesn't go on Fridays and as long as I give her notice before paying for the week, then she doesn't charge us. No notice, like we woke up sick last week, we did not get a refund. I'm happy w/ the arrangement.

tfbaby3

Childcare is a big part of the budget when having a baby.  It is a hard or the hardest decision to find someone trustworthy of caring for your precious bundle of joy when you are at work but unfortunately I learned the Hard way that you GET what you pay for!!  I thought that a home provider was best due to the flexibility of care and I had a preemie so I wanted more 1 on 1 care......Almost 3 yrs ago this month my son was 11 mths old in the care of a licensed in home care giver.....I interviewed her with all the stereotypical questions you see in all the baby books/mags, checked references and was recommended by someone who had used the same provider successfully for there 2 children, but one day her back was turned and she decided to babysit a child that was on summer break from her past clientele as a favor (within the age guideline/ratio provided by the state) and the child violently attacked my child causing a fatal brain injury...This was and is still the most horrific tragedy of my life...I had another baby 2 yrs ago; and I wish I could afford to stay at home but now I only trust a daycare center equipped with online camera system so I can see what is going on even at work.  There are pros and cons in all options even in daycare but I rather this setting because there is much more adult supervision per child....

tfbaby3

Childcare is a big part of the budget when having a baby.  It is a hard or the hardest decision to find someone trustworthy of caring for your precious bundle of joy when you are at work but unfortunately I learned the Hard way that you GET what you pay for!!  I thought that a home provider was best due to the flexibility of care and I had a preemie so I wanted more 1 on 1 care......Almost 4 yrs ago this month my son was 11 mths old in the care of a licensed in home care giver.....I interviewed her with all the stereotypical questions you see in all the baby books/mags, checked references and was recommended by someone who had used the same provider successfully for there 2 children, but one day her back was turned and she decided to babysit a child that was on summer break from her past clientele as a favor (within the age guideline provided by the state) and the child violently attacked my child causing a fatal brain injury...This was and is still the most horrific tragedy of my life...I had another baby 2 yrs ago; and I wish I could afford to stay at home but now I only trust a daycare center equipped with online camera system so I can see what is going on even at work.  There are pros and cons in all options even in daycare but I rather this setting because there is much more adult supervision per child....