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Working Moms
crystalpopcorn
member
Balancing/affording pre-school and nanny care
crystalpopcorn
member
in Working Moms
I am going to caveat this post with the fact that I am extremely sleep deprived and am having a hard time thinking clearly.
We currently have a full time nanny for DS. She will also take care of DD when I return to work in a few weeks. We plan to increase her pay when she takes on the added responsibility. I also think it is time to put DS in a part time pre-school program for socialization. The prices at the local schools are pretty high ($450-700 for part time). That would be on top of the $450 gross per week we currently pay the nanny.
My questions, I guess, are:
1) do we give the nanny less of an increase than we had planned to, since DS will be with her only part time? (we have not discussed $$ with the nanny yet)
2) do we use the dependent care FSA to pay for the pre-school/daycare piece instead of using it to save for nanny tax? I guess the risk there would be owing a ton of money at the end of the year.
Any other ideas? I know the obvious answer is to look at our budget, which is what we are doing. I am just curious how others in a similar situation have handled this. I can't believe how expensive all of this is.
Thanks.
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Re: Balancing/affording pre-school and nanny care
I hear 'ya. It's tough. We are very, very fortunate and when I told the grandparents that our DD would be w/ the nanny full-time (w/ DS) b/c the center was too expensive for 2 kids, they offered to all chip in and DD is able to stay for 3 days per week. We are very thankful.
In your case, I would first look at the increase in pay for the nanny since you haven't discussed it yet. If it's not a ridiculously small increase (you just don't want to insult her) then I would start with that.
In regard to the FSA, I'm not familiar with the taxes for nannies so unfortunately I don't have advice. We have used my FSA in the past to pay for daycare, so all I know is that it's worth it. But run the numbers and see what makes more sense.
Unfortunately, in the end I think it just means sacrificing a little- either not having DD going to the part-time program, or sucking it up to pay extra each month. I wish it was easier than that- like I said, I feel for you- it's definitely tricky w/ 2. The only other thing I can think of is if it's more cost effective for your DD to occasionally do classes/community center activity type things w/ the nanny? That way at least she's getting some exposure to the socialization and enrichment activities?
My older boys will start preschool in the fall (at 3.5). The nanny will stay with the baby, then pick the older boys up from preschool and have all three in the afternoon. We aren't changing her pay at all (aside from getting a raise this summer on her anniversary date).
Part-time day care is more expensive than preschool. The two places I looked at (both affiliated with churches) in the DC area are $250ish a month. That's two days a week, three hours a day. You might just wait until your LO is a bit older and go that route. Paying for day care and a nanny at the same time would be rough.
My twins are 5! My baby is 3!
DS#2 - Allergic to Cashew, Pistachio, Kiwi
DS#3 - Allergic to Milk, Egg, Peanut, Tree Nuts and Sesame
Where do you live? I ask only b/c up to $700 for PT preschool seems REALLY high.
We have a nanny and DD goes to preschool at our church 2 1/2 days each week. It only costs $145 per month! Next year (she won't make the kindergarden cut off) she'll go 2 full days per week and it will be $200 per month. The program is a preschool, not a day care. They don't take kids under 3, so DS will still just be home with nanny next year.
Have you looked into the local churches? They are usually much less expensive since they are not for-profit per se.
IMO 2 is still an age where he doesn't necessarily have to be in a preschool; as alternatives could you get your nanny do work on things (you can go pick up activity books at a teacher's store) or what about having you LO do some type of class - gymboree, little gym, etc (which is usually more like $60 a month) one day a week?
Thanks everyone! I am really looking more for socialization than anything. I think the challenge of school (or a good day care) would also be good. DS can count and knows his colors and letters, so our nanny has been great in that regard. I really just want him to have a little bit of a life outside this house and get to meet more kids. I will look into some of the church programs, and maybe I will research some other classes (art, music, tumbling, etc) through a rec center or something. I am open to any other ideas you have as well.
Oh, and for the person who asked, I live in Colorado. I guess that technically the programs are day care programs, which might be why they are so high. They just don't call it day care, it seems.
Is the preschool privately run? Do you have other less expensive options for preschool such as a church, etc.?
There are preschools in our area that run $400+ a month, but they are usually the "fancy" private preschools. We found a nice one at a local church that is MUCH less but that also came recommended and has a good curriculum. We also pay for a nanny, so preschool had to be affordable for us.