Child Care

I am so sorry I have so many questions lately I am getting nervous about everything and want everything set up.

I am going back to work probably a month after I have the baby. I am interviewing a mom that wants to watch the baby for us and is good friends with my friend and was recommend to us. Just curious on the going rate on child care? Also what questions should I ask?

Child Care

For my DD we used a highly recommended Mom in the neighborhood (she also watched other children) and her rate was between $55-60 a day. We provided food/diapers etc.
My daughter was one at that time but I believe her price is around the same for infants.
Find out if you are able to use her for the child care tax credit or if you are paying her cash on the side. That should also affect pricing.

Re: Child Care

I just started doing research lately on this...I found prices to be anywhere between $300-400 per week for full time for an infant, for both in home and centers (centers tended to be more pricey than home daycares, but a few home daycares I called actually wanted more than centers!). Most of these places provided food once the baby was eating but when they're an infant you provide formula, and of course diapers. If you know someone that would watch the baby for cheaper you could go that route, I only looked at certified daycares. I don't think you can write off on your taxes if they are not certified with a tax ID number. I have to make a decision on this soon and the thought of paying half my salary into daycare is scaring me but I have no choice.

Re: Child Care

Child Care

I did my research on in-home vs. daycare center and found that contrary to what I thought (and popular belief), daycare centers were in fact cheaper. Most of the people I interviewed wanted around $9-$12 an hour for infant care -- this was the range for the person coming into my home to watch the baby and me dropping the baby off at their residence. Between my actual work day and my commute, I would need around 10 hours a day. At the lower end of $9/hour, this would be $90 a day, $450/week (M-F), and $1800/month. I found a great daycare center in my area that we fell in love with. They happened to be running a "Welcome Baby/New Years" special when we toured the facility -- they would waive your annual registration fee and 15% off tuition rates for the life your child is enrolled at their center. We'll be saving about $120/week using this facility vs. the cheaper $9/hour in-home sitter. For us it was a no brainer (that and I liked the idea of a facility better than an in-home private sitter).

Child Care

Someone like a nanny or in home sitter will likely be more. We use a licensed in home daycare and we pay less than a daycare center like a Tutor Time.

Re: Child Care

Re: Child Care

Child Care

We use a private sitter. We pay $10/hr but dh and I work retail so our days and work times vary. We usually need somewhere between 10-20 hrs a week and not usually a full fay. However if we both work a day shift she just charges $50/day. She is certified day care but does not run a true "center" out of her home. Unfortunately childcare is expensive. It pays to shop around but also is worth every penny for you to have peace of mind.Good lluck! !

Child Care

When I was looking for child care, a babysitter definitely cost more than a center based program. I went with a center partially due to cost and other factors such as consistency, accountability, wasn't so comfortable at the time hiring a stranger to work in my home. We've been happy with our daycare so far. My son is 8 months and has been there since 12 weeks. I pay 365/week. I have heard for a babysitter the going rate is somewhere between 10 and 15 dollars an hour. I know price is important, but remember you need to feel good about leaving your child in this person's care.

Re: Child Care

We have a private sitter in our home.

We looked at lots of options, but due to schedules, this was the only one that worked for us.

Going rate for that is a lot ($15-20/hr) in our area (look at care.com for an idea), but is more flexible (can take care of 2 kids).

You do need back-up if they call out sick (rare).

Re: Child Care

When we were looking for daycare, it just made more sense for us to choose a center for the same reasons that some other posters stated- its less expensive and there's no chance of the center calling in sick, late, etc.

Also, and this is just me and my craziness, I feel like there might be more of a curriculum at a center versus someone watching them at home. I would worry that if I had a sitter or even a family member watching them that they would end up watching TV all day and that would be the only stimulation they would get aside from an occasional walk.

Its totally a personal preference, but the difference in cost is a big factor to consider too. I think we're going to be paying $1,515/month for 5 day care. (8-6)