Childcare - what do you do?

Starting to think about childcare...

I'm going to need part-time... probably one or two days, about 6/7 hours each day. Is this common or are most full time?

I'm open to someone's home, or a facility, or even having someone come to my home. I'm pretty open to ideas. Can you share what you do? Your experiences?

Also, if you don't mind sharing costs... You can FM that if you prefer.

I'm located in Smithtown, so that general area. The child will be six months old.

Thank you so much!

Childcare - what do you do?

I have experienced two different options of care. We had a nanny in our house until DD was a little over a year old and then started in day care. In my experience, I prefer daycare. I felt the nannies were good with her but it was more about keeping an eye on her and tending to her, not much from an educational standpoint. I have seen her grow so much more from being in day care, they really approach everything from a learning angle. I also had a lot of problems with nannies being unreliable which you don't have to worry about at a daycare facility. I currently have my daughter in 4 days but they do offer 2 and 3 day options as well.

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

We needed flexibility as I am a teacher and didn't want him in daycare over the summer. A friend of mine that stays home with her boys watches him Tuesday-Thursday (DH keeps him Mondays.) Starting in January, he will go to school tuesday and thursdays and to her house the other days.

Childcare - what do you do?

Sending you FM-I'm in Smithtown too.

Childcare - what do you do?

I started DS at 8 weeks in a center. We bumped it up to 3 days later and at 19m is still there the 3 days.

I would not do less than 2 days so they can get used to it.

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

When I was looking (5+ years ago) I found that most chains (tutor time types) wouldnt do babies PT under 18 months. I wound up not needing child care though.

My friend uses an in home day care (we are also in smithtown) that she really likes.

I have friends that have nannys. I know myself as a SAHM I have helped friends out on a PT basis. I have another friend that used a college student 2 days a week for 2 years. So there are tons of options.

I think really you need to decide what best fits your comfort level, lifestyle, etc.

Let me know if you are interested in the name of that daycare.

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

Our Tutor Time alows 2 days per week for infants. We did it. And we didn't even do the same days each week either.
They are VERY flexible at our center.
And the hours per day don't matter. You pay the same whether you have them there the whole day or partial day.
And

Message edited 8/13/2013 10:48:09 PM.

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

DD went to Tutor Time when she was an infant for 1 half day a week for a few hours. 4 hours is considered a half day so you would be considered a full day. They're open 6:30-6:30.

Message edited 8/14/2013 10:20:43 PM.

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

Even though I am in PA when I worked full time, my mother came here 2 days and DS went to a Kindercare 3 days.

DS is still in Kindercare part time. I believe they are one of the few centers that does part time from 1 day or all 5 days..even half days and drop in care. They are very flexible.

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

DS is in Daycare full time (we have no choice and the place does not do part time for infants, which was fine for us since part time was not an option for us).

Honestly, I love him being in daycare. I prefer it over having anyone watching him at home, be it family or a nanny.

Re: Childcare - what do you do?

Thank you, everyone, for all of this great information.