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November 2017 Moms
dragonfly87-2
member
Child Care Decisions
dragonfly87-2
member
I know there was a thread started before and I got tired of scrolling through the pages....but also figured it might be nice to start up a new one since we are further along and might start having more solid decisions.
Really curious about the following:
What type of care will you use? SAHM, Daycare facility, Nanny, Home Daycare, Other
Status: Part-time or Full-time
What will you spend monthly?
What are you looking for in your care options? Specific program/curriculum, type of facility/theme, flexible schedules, extended care hours, etc
Questions, Comments, Concerns:
For STMs: Any recommendations to FTMs about do's and dont's of child care options?
Really curious about the following:
What type of care will you use? SAHM, Daycare facility, Nanny, Home Daycare, Other
Status: Part-time or Full-time
What will you spend monthly?
What are you looking for in your care options? Specific program/curriculum, type of facility/theme, flexible schedules, extended care hours, etc
Questions, Comments, Concerns:
For STMs: Any recommendations to FTMs about do's and dont's of child care options?
Re: Child Care Decisions
When i I was looking for care I wanted something that had a schedule for the kids and had both learning and play. The kids follow a schedule every day and we get a monthly agenda of what they'll be doing...like ocean week, jungle week, etc where they learn about a new subject. It also lists the letters/colours/numbers/shapes they'll focus on too. We've been really happy with it.
We have been very satisfied with the care DD has received there, and their curriculum. I love the routine DD gets there, and she reaaally thrives on routine.
It was important to me to have diversity, and some learning as well as playing, not that that matters much right away. But they do that and have private music instruction for the kids, provide lunches and snacks so we don't have to, and give us updates throughout the day on what baby is up to. Just so expensive. Luckily we've saved up enough for half a year so far so it won't kill us...I guess. Just wish this money was going to a college fund instead.
We toured 7 facilities over the past two days and we have decided on an option that meets the majority of our needs/wants. We wanted it to be close (it's 2.6 miles away and on our way to work), it's suprisingly on the lower end of cost, has digital cameras you can view online throughout the day, does ASL for babies, low teacher-child ratios (1 to 4) and is non-religious (hard to find in our super conservative religious town).
We are doing full-time care M-F and it is open from 5:30am-6:30pm, which is great. We do not plan to leave LO there all day, but working at a school, sometimes we have late hours between my DH coaching sports, parent teacher conferences and other school events. So having the option of using it longer is a must. It is about $1170 a month, which is on the lower end compared to most being $1,300-$1,400 a month and has 2 weeks of "free vacation" time. It gets a 4.4 out of 5 from 111 reviews, so that was really encouraging. Also, they include formula if needed and all meals once LO eats table food. That's a relief since the majority around here make you bring lunch/breakfast every day. The only downside is they don't offer part-time care which we were considering if DH's mom helps out and regardless of whatever facility we choose, we will have to pay for about 6-7 weeks of unused daycare due to our breaks.
I was really surprised how invested DH was in the process. I set up all the tours, but he attended all of them, asked questions and had pretty strong opinions about each. He even beamed with joy when he saw little infants and toddlers waving back at him. Each day, I am more and more elated with how invested he is in becoming a father.
I have a family that wants me to nanny for them but I'm not sure about it. It's only $250 a week and I'd be driving an hour and 15 minutes (same as my work commute now).
When looking at daycares definitely figure out their turnover rate! Don't ask the director/owner, they will lie. Ask teachers how long they've been there, talk to teachers without the director/owner present if possible. Where I worked the turnover rate was ridiculously high and it's not fair to the children to constantly be seeing a new face. The owner would also tell parents that all her lead teachers were certified in CPR/first aid which was a lie. Pay attention to cleanliness, do a drop in visit so they can't be prepared before you arrive (just try to avoid naptimes). If they don't allow drop ins there is a problem. Watch teachers and children to see if they look happy and how they're all interacting together! I was an infant lead teacher for over a year so I can answer a lot of questions.
Everyone has given some good advice. I will just add that if you know people who have older children, it may help to get suggestions from them or get their opinions about certain providers and their experiences.
@amber0529 is totally right about everything. When we chose the current center that we love, it wasn't the ritziest, most posh and put together center we toured. But, it was the center where we randomly walked in and everyone was happy and the kids were well behaved, but still playing and having a great time. I think the happiness goes hand in hand with teacher tenure - the main teachers in each room haven't changed since we've been there and most have been at this center for 10+ years.
@mommawolff11 Here in Michigan the law states that centers/in-home has to use disposable diapers for sanitary reasons BUT you can sign a waiver saying that your child needs CD for allergy reasons and it works.
@DuchessOfCambridge Those prices would kill me!
@DuchessofCambridge If I remember correctly you are in some city so maybe I'm just not used to urban prices but DAMNNNNNN
@amber0529 Great advice!
@ariasbabyblog I had looked into Montessori as well. I like the method but it's not common where we think we'll be stationed next year. (yay military life)
We're most likely moving again in January or February so I'm planning to be a SAHM until next spring/summer. If I do go back to work we'll probably hire a baby sitter in our house (is that what a nanny is? totally clueless). I like knowing that my house is clean and baby proofed and it's one on one. I may look into centers though, especially once LO is a toddler.
TTC since August 2018
So far we haven't decided anything...I kno I'm a slacker. I haven't decided if I want to go back to work - they're pretty awful at times. But there's a daycare that's not too far that does part-time and full-time and is reasonably priced. My SIL used to use them but her DH switched schedules so he stays home until she gets there from work and then he goes in later. So I may see if I can leave mine with them for 2 hours a day between DH going to work and me coming home.
I don't even make what some of your daycares cost! And I have a BA! So as much as I love working in my field, I just don't think it's even worth it for me to go back after baby. But we'll see. Maybe I'll stay home for a little and try to find a better paying job so I can afford daycare and my student loans
TTC since August 2018
I am lucky because I get maternity leave I can split up so I'm taking until January (and DH will then take his month) and then 6 weeks next summer but it's crazy to get daycare in the interim because they all make you pay to hold the spot. Thinking maybe a nanny share for 4 months then daycare next September- it sounds complicated but hoping we can make it work.
A piece of advice. When deciding on a daycare, check your states website for the specific daycare you are interested in. The website will list all inspections, the date of the inspection and if they found any violations. It will also list whether the violation was corrected. I used this before calling any daycares. One place we wanted to enroll DS had way too many violatins for my comfort level. For instance, they had a rusty door propped up against a wall within reach of children. They also did not have the children's milk refrigerated. At another one there was a complaint from a parent that a child was left alone in the room for over 5 minutes, just sitting there on a mat without any supervision. Apparently the child wandered in from outside and the teacher did not notice. I don't care how spectacular a daycare seems to be, if you have too many violations, I will not enroll my child. The YMCA we enrolled our son in has zero violations which is a huge deal to me.
TTC since August 2018
DS#2 3/15
Baby #3~
My husband works freelance, for himself, from home and will be the primary caregiver. But, he works, and we cannot afford for him to give that up altogether. He says it will be easier for him to focus on care in the morning if he can have a few hours every afternoon to focus on work. Maine Dept of Health and Human Services does a child care cost study every year, and for 2016 in-home care from a nanny or other unlicensed provider were $150/wk (full time), down to $90/wk for half time. We're going to use that as a benchmark and see what we can find.
Like others, diversity would be such a blessing if we can find the right caregiver. Our area is home to a large refugee and immigrant population from East Africa. I love the idea of having a caregiver from that community: the cultural learning, plus being able to play a small part in welcoming and helping support a member of that community. I recently, however, wondered whether we would have any trouble securing such a caregiver given my husband works from home. The vast majority of the members of the refugee community here are Muslim. Would a Muslim woman be able to work in my home with my husband there (without me)?
Alternatively, we have several colleges in our area with early education programs. I thought to start looking in September to see if any student is interested in an afternoon caregiving job while at school.
We recently moved from Boston. The stark difference in child care costs has stupified me.