What do you do for daycare?

JSlovex2 · Apr 10, 2011

look around on craigslist or post an ad saying what you are looking for. $60 a day is pretty steep IMO especially for family. i kept a child (whose mother was a nurse) for awhile when i wasn't working just for some extra cash and he had a blast playing with my kids in the pool, the sprinkler, etc. i was not a "home daycare" - just a stay at home mom who treated the kid like my own and got a little money for it. his mom loved the fact that he got to be in a home environment, eat dinner, take baths, play with other kids, etc. without being in a "daycare" setting. there are lots of options out there.

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · Apr 10, 2011

look around on craigslist or post an ad saying what you are looking for. $60 a day is pretty steep IMO especially for family. i kept a child (whose mother was a nurse) for awhile when i wasn't working just for some extra cash and he had a blast playing with my kids in the pool, the sprinkler, etc. i was not a "home daycare" - just a stay at home mom who treated the kid like my own and got a little money for it. his mom loved the fact that he got to be in a home environment, eat dinner, take baths, play with other kids, etc. without being in a "daycare" setting. there are lots of options out there.

To each their own, but I would never leave my child with someone randomly found off craigslist! :eek:

The only people who I would even consider that aren't licensed with a background check would be family or friends. Everyone else..... at least a criminal record/back ground check, who works for a legit company. For the cost difference, it's worth the peace of mind.

JSlovex2 · Apr 10, 2011

To each their own, but I would never leave my child with someone randomly found off craigslist!
The only people who I would even consider that aren't licensed with a background check would be family or friends. Everyone else..... at least a criminal record/back ground check, who works for a legit company. For the cost difference, it's worth the peace of mind.

who said that someone found on craigslist can't be licensed or have a background check? there are many retired teachers or current teachers who provide summer care advertising on craigslist. i used to work for a daycare and i had more experience and education working with children than anyone there - including the director. why send your child to a daycare where any 18 year old with a GED is trusted to care for them (along with ten other kids) when you could send them to someone's home who is actually educated and experienced and doesn't have 10 other kids to chase around?

Phoenix Nurse · Apr 10, 2011

It is really hard during summers since both my kids will be home. I am looking at summer camps/nanny at home.

magichospital · Apr 10, 2011

Try Care.com, you can look for babysitters with backround checks there. Good luck! :nurse:

jmokeefe · Apr 10, 2011

I guess I am being picky because my kids have been watched out of our home for the past year 1/2 and its ruining my house! I'd rather not replace my sister with someone else coming to our home...for the reason I just said, as well as the fact that my kids are so bored at home. I really think they could benefit from spending the summer 3 days a week doing something more constructive/educational...but I guess I am going to have to pay for it right?! I just can't get over how much money it is! AH! Here's the break-down so far:

YMCA for the babies 3 days a week is like $280 (food included)

Summer camp for the boys close to $200 a week for 3 days (food not included)

I being home $1600 some in two weeks (pardon my honesty in revealing my pay...if I am anything I am honest hehe) so subtract the cost of daycare/summer camp and I will be spending close to $500 a week and bringing home only $600 for 2 weeks of work? That is only $100 a shift :eek: Oh my now I know what everyone said I was nuts for having 4 kids and going back to work for!

Sl1011 · Apr 10, 2011

I understand being picky, but of course you know daycare isn't cheap. I've heard of great nanny's that plan activities and take the kids out to parks, museums, playgroups, and other fun activities. It was just a thought (and I can definitely understand not wanting your house torn up anymore. I ran daycare in my home for 2 years.. WOW, lol!!)

Really research other daycare centers in your area and church daycares, and maybe a recreation center... there are cheaper options that are very good as well. Some may even offer paying on a daily rate. Good luck!

I guess I am being picky because my kids have been watched out of our home for the past year 1/2 and its ruining my house! I'd rather not replace my sister with someone else coming to our home...for the reason I just said, as well as the fact that my kids are so bored at home. I really think they could benefit from spending the summer 3 days a week doing something more constructive/educational...but I guess I am going to have to pay for it right?! I just can't get over how much money it is! AH! Here's the break-down so far:
YMCA for the babies 3 days a week is like $280 (food included)
Summer camp for the boys close to $200 a week for 3 days (food not included)
I being home $1600 some in two weeks (pardon my honesty in revealing my pay...if I am anything I am honest hehe) so subtract the cost of daycare/summer camp and I will be spending close to $500 a week and bringing home only $600 for 2 weeks of work? That is only $100 a shift Oh my now I know what everyone said I was nuts for having 4 kids and going back to work for!

0402 · Apr 10, 2011

We have an au pair. It's flexible and affordable (I have 3 kids- 3, 5 and 7). My husband is gone 0500-1830 or so, M-F, and my commute isn't exactly short, and I work random nights each week (I'm supposed to be a rotator, so I have to consider that I work different shifts at different times). Even if I walked off the floor exactly on time, I still wouldn't make it home to get the kids to school. Just another option. =)

Sl1011 · Apr 10, 2011

If you don't mind me asking, how much do you pay? What are the au pair's responsibilities?

We have an au pair. It's flexible and affordable (I have 3 kids- 3, 5 and 7). My husband is gone 0500-1830 or so, M-F, and my commute isn't exactly short, and I work random nights each week (I'm supposed to be a rotator, so I have to consider that I work different shifts at different times). Even if I walked off the floor exactly on time, I still wouldn't make it home to get the kids to school. Just another option. =)

0402 · Apr 10, 2011

I pay her $195.75/ week (the rate is regulated by the State Dept, if you are using a legitimate agency) and can use up to 45 hrs of child care per week (up to 10 hrs per day, but they can be broken up, so if she does 3 hrs in the am and then the kids are gone all day, I technically still have 7 hrs left to use- not that I do, but in theory, you can do that). There is also an up front fee, which is about $7000 (there is some variation between agencies, but it's fairly similar from what I've found; we have been with the same agency for 5 1/2 yrs, so I will admit that I don't know a ton about the others). Total per year is about $17500, which for 3 kids, is really pretty good. Her responsibilities, other than regular childcare, include making meals for the kids, doing their laundry/ helping put laundry away, taking the kids to school/ picking them up, getting them to activities, helping keep their rooms and bathroom clean. When we first started with an au pair, I had a toddler and an infant, so things were a little bit different as to my expectations of her- back then, putting away laundry was all her, but now, I expect my kids to do things for themselves, so it's more supervisory than actual doing, if that makes sense. =) Also, the first couple of years we had an au pair, I worked FT, but I wasn't a nurse, so everything was more regular. Now, as a nurse, living no where near family, it's nice to have a flexible option. Even on Saturday mornings, when Tball and soccer start at the same time, she'll help my husband by taking one and staying there until I can get there and take over. =)

jmokeefe · Apr 17, 2011

$7000 up front? Eek

0402 · Apr 17, 2011

Yes, it's $7000 up front, but if you plan for it and take into account what the overall annual cost is compared to other forms of child care, it's pretty reasonable (it pays for their health insurance, travel, agency support, etc), especially if you have more than one small child. The past few years, we've just put aside our tax return to cover all or most of it, which does make it easier to come up with.