2nd Trimester

Daycare prices

Ok, I know these prices vary depending on location, but is there anyone is the northern Virginia area that would be willing to share how much they spend on daycare and what kind of daycare they send their kids to?

Our desire would be for me to stay home, so we are furiously crunch the numbers.  The thing is, I don't want to work just to pay to have someone else watch my kid all day!  Anyone else been through this?  I really want to stay home, so I could use some advice on how others make it work! 

Re: Daycare prices

  • Can you try to live off of just your H's paycheck for a few months?  The second yours hits the bank, transfer it to a savings account and see how you do.

    Here in Denver, a nice daycare runs $300/week. I SAHM largely because of that; after additional working costs, I would only be bringing in a few hundred a month. 

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  • You might want to edit your post to have the title of where your location is - so more specific to your location ppl answer.

    I think the PP wrote it well can you live NOW on your dh's imncome then thayt would be an indictaion if you can be a SAHM.  its not just wages you have to consider too.  You have to also consider your benefits if you get them and pension or RRSP contributions.  as stay at home moms can contribute as much into their rrsp's - at least in Canada that is how it is as its based on your income and if you make $Nil you can contribute NIL.  

    I have 3 kids expecting # 4 and we get 1 year mat leave off.. I always intend on beinga  SAHM, while I stay home for the year, sometimes with one child the daycare is not going to be as much as you think.  We pay $18K a year in childcare for 3 kids now  when we have # 4  we will crunch numbers to see if I return to work.  But you may want to reserach this more.  

    Luckily when I I have # 4 all my 3 older children will be in school opr preschool so cost is less. 

    lolololo
  • While it depends greatly on where in northern VA you live, I know that in Arlington or Tyson's, the price for a daycare center is similar to what I pay in Bethesda.  We are paying $1600 a month for a 3 year old, and will be paying $2000 a month for our newborn when the baby arrives.  If you use an in-home daycare, or if you are further out (Herndon, or similar), then the costs are lower.

    To decide if it makes sense to be a SAHM for financial reasons you've got to take in the whole picture.  Weigh benefits costs, ability to re-enter the workforce, impact on future earnings, and the loss of not getting employer matching dollars in a retirement plan.  It's a really tough decision, and is a complicated calculation.  That said, if you want to be a SAHM, then it may make sense for you at any price.

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  • We are also in the DC area, and newborn care in a traditional center averages ~2000/month, though I think that is somewhat on the high end. Like PP said, you can reduce that amount by using an in-home provider, or going farther out. If you are hoping for a center, be sure to get on the list ASAP, as most have a waiting list of 8-18 months.
  • We are in NoVA and pay $1500 for our DS at a Bright Horizons.  Infants are $1725.  In-home centers and less educationally-based centers are less, though not a whole lot less.  It's pricey for sure!

    ETA:  In Arlington, VA, but prices were comparable in DC and other parts of VA around us when we shopped.  Give or take $75-$100 per month.

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  • I'm in Gainesville so it might be a bit cheaper than some areas, but infants are $350/week at our daycare.  We use a center.
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  • I've lived in Prince William and Stafford counties.  Infant care (in 2008) was $208/wk at a center in both counties.  I just checked the price for an infant now at DD's daycare and it is $230/wk (my 3.5 yr old is in a Kindergarten Prep/ daycare program that is $200/wk).  I've noticed that prices usually go up about $5 or so every September, so I'm assuming it will probably be more by the time this baby starts.
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