Child Care - Need Advice

BabyBPlus3

I see this board doesn't get too much action, but I could really use your help!

I am expecting my second child in April, so come April I plan to stop working.  I would like to then watch another child or 2 in my home (preferrably 3 yrs or older).

So my questions are:

1. Would you leave your child with a private sitter?

2. What would you be willing to pay a private sitter?

------

Here's some background to maybe help with the advice:

I have my degree in elementary education / early childhood.  I have worked in both primary education (k-3) and in a chlidcare setting (infant - k).  My most recent experience is with the preschool level. 

I plan to be more than a "babysitter" as my passion is truely teaching.  It's just staying where I currently am, I don't make enough money to cover the cost of having to put my own two kids in daycare there; and the thought of the long hours you need to devote in public school makes me shudder bc i will miss both of my babies being gone that long.

-----

any opinions would be helpful!!  Thank you ladies so much!!

Imanurse03

My 9 month old DS is in a daycare center here in York. I would have considered having someone watch him in their home, but we didn't know anyone in our area who does. And names of in-home DCP I came across were not licensed. And our local friends either SAH with their kids or sent them to a center. So I would want the DCP, esp a complete stranger, to be licensed.

I will tell you that we pay $241/week for 5 days a week to our daycare. It is a national chain daycare center. I would say with your background and if you obtained a license, I would feel comfortable paying $125-$150/week for 5 days.

Just some food for thought. If you or one of your own kids are sick, would you have to cancel watching someone's child in your home? That'd leave the child of the parent in a bind.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

kelsgreeneyes

Imanurse03:

My 9 month old DS is in a daycare center here in York. I would have considered having someone watch him in their home, but we didn't know anyone in our area who does. And names of in-home DCP I came across were not licensed. And our local friends either SAH with their kids or sent them to a center. So I would want the DCP, esp a complete stranger, to be licensed. I will tell you that we pay $241/week for 5 days a week to our daycare. It is a national chain daycare center. I would say with your background and if you obtained a license, I would feel comfortable paying $125-$150/week for 5 days. Just some food for thought. If you or one of your own kids are sick, would you have to cancel watching someone's child in your home? That'd leave the child of the parent in a bind. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 I would be willing to pay someone with an education background right at or more than $150/ week.  The children will likely get more attention, homemade meals, and most importantly learn from the sitter that is a teacher!  I know of many in-home daycare providers with no college education and arent licensed that make $150/ week.  

I also feel that chain day care centers dont pay attention to the children in their care.  There is less interaction and love.  Just my opinion.  

lbrown9807

I only send my boys to an in-home because I know the person. Otherwise, im not usually comfortable with someone I dont know, unless they come highly recommended. I pay $45 a day for two kids.

Imanurse03

kelsgreeneyes:

Imanurse03:

My 9 month old DS is in a daycare center here in York. I would have considered having someone watch him in their home, but we didn't know anyone in our area who does. And names of in-home DCP I came across were not licensed. And our local friends either SAH with their kids or sent them to a center. So I would want the DCP, esp a complete stranger, to be licensed.

I will tell you that we pay $241/week for 5 days a week to our daycare. It is a national chain daycare center. I would say with your background and if you obtained a license, I would feel comfortable paying $125-$150/week for 5 days.

Just some food for thought. If you or one of your own kids are sick, would you have to cancel watching someone's child in your home? That'd leave the child of the parent in a bind.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 I would be willing to pay someone with an education background right at or more than $150/ week.  The children will likely get more attention, homemade meals, and most importantly learn from the sitter that is a teacher!  I know of many in-home daycare providers with no college education and arent licensed that make $150/ week.  

I also feel that chain day care centers dont pay attention to the children in their care.  There is less interaction and love.  Just my opinion.  

Wow, holy generalization. To each his own but DS's daycare teachers are so loving and know DS very well. They remember when he has doctors' appointments and know his likes/dislikes. And "homemade" meals? His daycare does not have bouncy seats, swings or exersaucers for the babies because they want a lot of hands-on interaction.

You sound ignorant.

allioop2001

I use a private DCP and pay $25/day, only for the days that DS is there. She is not licensed, but was a foster mother when DS started with her so I knew she had background checks. I found that other private providers charged a part-time rate for 3 days a week, regardless of how many days your child is actually there. This doesn't work for us because DH's schedule changes so much. One of the downfalls is when she is sick or takes vacation. I have to find a back-up, where a center would have other staff to fill-in.

dmbosch1

Wow! Wish you were taking younger! I am looking for someone like you in the Lancaster area!

A few friends of mine typically pay 25 a day for care, half or whole days!

Good luck!