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Daycare WWYD (kinda long)

Nicole731Nicole731 member
in Working Moms

I don't usually post on this board, but I figured you ladies could provide more insight than anyone.

DS currently is in a church daycare that costs me $115 per week. It will go down to $105 per week once he turns 18 months. When the new baby comes, the total for both kids will be $210 per week. DS is very happy there, all the teachers and kids love him, and he gets to socialize with kids his age which I think is really important. Plus they are very structured as far as lesson plans (as much as they can be with a 1 y/o) and they incorporate Bible and church teachings which I want for him. Daycare provides breakfast, milk, and snacks, and I have to bring his lunch.

My best friend of 15 years has an in-home daycare. She's worked with kids for years and years, and I definitely trust her. She's taken care of DS on a drop in basis when daycare was closed for plumbing problems and he loved being there.  She has offered to watch both kids once the baby is born for $165 per week, and DS for $90 per week if I switch him over before new baby comes. She has 3 kids plus her two kids as of now. There are only 2 kids around DS age, one is about 10 months old and the other is going to be 2 years old in July. She also does lesson plans including art work, story time, songs, etc. She provides all food including breakfast, lunch, and snacks so that would be even more of a savings for me.

So my question is...would you remove your kid from a daycare that he loves and is completely comfortable in, in which he gets to interact with several kids his own age, for the sake of saving more than $200 per month? My other concern is that if my friend or her own kids get sick, or have doctor's appointments, etc. she will close the daycare and I will be forced to find alternative child care. Or if she plans a vacation or something (which she did say she was going on one for a week next year). I'm so torn, but $200 a month is a lot of money to us at this point, especially once the new baby comes. WWYD?

 

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Re: Daycare WWYD (kinda long)

  • madhatter2003madhatter2003
    I wouldn't. That would be a lot of kids for 1 person...is she even able to have that many with the ratios?  Plus having a new baby will be a fairly big transition on your DS anyway...I didn't look at your ticker but if you are getting close I'd try to keep DS's life as normal as possible.
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  • crysas81crysas81
    I would not either. I think she has WAY too many children! The ratio just doesn't work.
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  • duchess0727duchess0727
    I wouldn't switch. 
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  • EastCoastBrideEastCoastBride member
    I wouldn't either.  That would be SEVEN kids for one person. 
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  • luvmagoldnluvmagoldn
    Ditto - too many kids for one person and no back up when she's out.  Those would be deal breakers for me.  You will be paying more but have more reliable care IMO.
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  • PeskyPesky member

    imageEastCoastBride:
    I wouldn't either.  That would be SEVEN kids for one person. 

    Ditto -- my thoughts exactly.


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  • blondie75blondie75 member
    I agree with pps - 7 kids is way too many for 1 person to watch let alone have coordinated activities, outdoor time, etc.  Not to mention the fact that reliability factor - you'd have a lot riding on 1 person. 
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  • costfordscostfords

    My question, is why didn't you go with her at first?  Why did you go find the great church daycare?

    Personally, I wouldn't pull your LO out of the day care that he is thriving in.  It is so hard to find a good place that your LO thrives in.

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  • azuremamaazuremama
    I wouldn't switch, for all the reasons that people mentioned.  But also because I wouldn't want to have an employer/employee relationship with a good friend.  What if you didn't like something she was doing with the kids?  It seems like it could get weird fast.
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  • Lotte134Lotte134

    imageazuremama:
    I wouldn't switch, for all the reasons that people mentioned.  But also because I wouldn't want to have an employer/employee relationship with a good friend.  What if you didn't like something she was doing with the kids?  It seems like it could get weird fast.

    Excellent point.  I agree with all pp's.  It sounds like you have a great situation now so I would stay put.

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  • Mrs.AlbieMrs.Albie member
    I wouldn't switch for all the reasons stated.  If the extra money is really needed, you can look for it elsewhere in your budget... 
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  • AlisaSAlisaS member
    No way - that is far toomany children and your freind is irresponsible to even suggest such a thing.  If I was a parent of one of her kids, I would be pist.
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  • jlw2505jlw2505 member
    I personally would stay where you are.  I pay a little over $500 a month for my two kids in the center that they are at and would not trade the place for anything right now.  My one huge issue with at home care is exactly what you said - what happens when the sitter gets sick/has a sick child, takes a vacation, etc.  I know that my center is never closed other than on holdiays and the one day a year that they do in-service for the staff and that is the same day eveyr year.  I live in MN and my center has not closed due to snow since I started almost 3 years ago and General Mills Corp even closed one day for snow and my center was open (it is right down the road and many of the kids parents work at GM).  Having your kids around other kids the same age is also a huge thing to me, while an inhome sitter can do lessons and all, it is harder when the kids are all different ages.  I ahve just always been very pro-center although I have a lot of friends that swear by in-home places.  I also think that the fact that the sitter would be a close friend of yours, while it could be a plus, it could cause issues with your friendship if you don't agree with how things are going.
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  • Maybride2Maybride2 member

    I pay $200/week for ONE kid.  You have it pretty good with your center.

    The amount of money you'd save switching to your friend's in-home isn't worth it.  There's no way that she can responsibly care for 7 kids of varying ages all by herself. 

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  • SportsLoverSportsLover
    I would cut back elsewhere in your budget and keep your kid in the current center.  He's doing well and it sounds like your friend may have more than she can handle with 7 kids.  I have two and I can't imagine one person being capable of handling 6 toddlers and an infant at once.  I struggle with just my two at times!
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  • RedBrideNCRedBrideNC member
    I agree with pps that there would be too many kids.  I would keep my current daycare.
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