Daycare wwyd?

nmoe

My husband's work has an onsite daycare.  We visited it a few months ago, and I thought it was... ok.  The price was excellent ($620 a month/full time).  It's a government run daycare (DH is a govt worker), so they follow all govt guidelines are regulations.  There isn't anything in particular about it that I disliked, but there wasn't really anything that impressed me either.  I sort of felt depressed and uneasy after we left, but I can't really explain why. 

Recently he found out that his hours are going to be changing from a Mon-Fri 8-5 type situation to a Sun-Wed 10 hour shift.  We could still use the govt daycare, and the cost would be significantly less ($350 a month for 60% care).  But, Mon-Wed our baby would be in daycare for 10 hours a day (plus travel time).  She would be home with my husband on Thursdays and Fridays.

We looked at a U GRO center yesterday that I fell in love with.  She would be in the center for a little over 8 hours a day Mon-Wed.  However, we'd be paying roughly $1000 a month.

My husband feels that almost $700 a month difference in cost is too much to pass up.  To be honest, our budget would be stretched pretty thin if we went with the U Gro center.  But on the other hand, I feel extremely guilty for even considering going with the other place, since I feel that the quality of care/services is not the same as the U gro.  Plus, 10+ hours a day in daycare seems like a lot, even if it is only for 3 days a week.

So, the mommy guilt starts before the baby is even here   wwyd?

aglenn

I would say it depends on how much the money difference would affect you.  In general, if it wouldn't be a major upset to your budget/savings/life, I say this is an area in which you have to go with your gut and choose a place you are not just OK with, but really happy about.  Your LO will spend a lot of time there and you will have a lot of interaction with the staff as well, and it is really important for your own peace of mind to feel like your LO is in the kind of environment you want.  I faced a similar situation with DD (except I am in a HCOL area and the pricetags are about double yours) and in the end I went with the higher cost center and am soooooo glad I did.  I now have two kids there and things are tight again, but it is worth it in my opinion.

That said, our budget is not stretched to the point that we are really struggling much.  We have to be more careful about spending and planning but we are by no means in a situation where we can't pay bills or are incurring credit card debt, etc.  If it is going to threaten your financial future, you have to be realistic about that as well.

SaraTF

Have you looked into any other options, or just these two centers? Maybe there's a happy medium? In-home care is usually much cheaper than a center.

Personally, we are paying more than we "have to," but we can afford it and I am much happier knowing that he's well cared for. 

Kellyt2012

I would prefer the 3 day/week schedule and also significantly more savings. Then, if you don't like it, think about switching. The babies will enjoy being there with other babies. My son has been in daycare since he was 8 weeks and still loves it to this day (he is 18 months). We did switch from his first daycare to this current daycare due to the cost, and he loves it. hope it goes well!

FriskyPanda

I hate to say it, but we picked DD's daycare primarily due to cost.  I always thought if we got into a better financial situation that I'd move her, but I really fell in love with the center.  She's been there 5 years, and it breaks my heart that she's leaving in the Fall for kindergarten.

So, my vote is to go with the daycare at your H's work.  You can always change later on down the road.

CurbsideProphet

I would keep looking to see if there is an in between option. How hard is it to get into the U Gro center? If it is not too hard, I might start out at the work option and see how it goes.

Was the govt center the first daycare you looked at? When we left the first center we toured I had the feeling of I don't want to leave my child here. I could not explain exactly what it was. We ended up touring a bunch of different places and did find other places we were happy with. There was not a significant price difference in the options we were considering. If there had been I might have considered touring the first place again. However we were also okay with spending a little more for our first choice of center.

Nechie122

We used to have DD in a daycare affiliated with DH's employer and one of the unforeseen benefits was that they were always open when DH was working. Our new daycare is great but there are staff development days and other holidays that they observe that our companies don't. You should also find out if DH's job offers any "back-up" care options as part of the daycare package -- like temporary nannies for when LO is sick -- that might sway your decision (DH's employer contracted with Parents in a Pinch.)

cedenton

Kellyt2012:

I would prefer the 3 day/week schedule and also significantly more savings. Then, if you don't like it, think about switching. The babies will enjoy being there with other babies. My son has been in daycare since he was 8 weeks and still loves it to this day (he is 18 months). We did switch from his first daycare to this current daycare due to the cost, and he loves it. hope it goes well!

This. That's a LOT of money.  10 hours a day does seem like a lot, but in the long run it's less total time at a daycare, right. 30 hours/wk versus 40 or 50?  Can you imagine what you could do with $700/month!!

If you don't like it, you can always switch, but it certainly sounds like worth giving a shot. 

Mrs.McLovin

For three days a weeks, don't feel guilty about the 10 hour days. And for that kind of price difference, I would go look at the work daycare again. Also, keep looking at other daycares.

When I was looking for daycare the first time, I fell in love with this one and of course they cost a fortune. This other daycare had a contract with my company and we got a nice discount. The budget couldn't deny the difference in cost. The daycare turned out good (there will always be small problems where ever you go). I didn't appreciate how good until we moved and I had to start all over.

And just because you start at one daycare doesn't mean you will stay there until kindergarden.

groovygrl

I wouldn't feel too guilty about the 10 hr days either since it is only 3 days a week plus the added benefit of YH being able to maybe drop in & see her a few times a day in the beginning or in general. You can always switch (assuming no major wait lists elsewhere) if you are unhappy there. An $8000+ difference per year does seem like a whole lot & I think the happy medium option might be nice if there are any. FWIW I don't know how many centers do part time for infants though.

GL!

cecilyandgautam

Hm, have you looked into any in-home options in your area? They might be able to match the price you're getting at DH's center, but if it's on your way to work, you could still do just the 8ish hours a day, rather than 10. If you didn't love the gov center, I'd say keep looking. You might find an in-home provider you love. 

jf198400

For that big of a cost difference I would definitely give his work DC a chance.  Lots of kids are at DC for 10hrs/day 5days/week, so don't feel guilty about it.  When my DD was in DC she was there 10hrs every day b/c of my long commute.  She did fine with it and slept really good at night b/c she was worn out.

Netty_3

I would probably go with the gov't DC.  Because, then LO would be home all day with one of you 4 days of the week...majority. Also for the money savings.  I'd encourage DH to go see LO during lunch for a little while at least so that it breaks up the long day. That's me though.