MY DH and I have always agreed that I would be a SAH mom---but now that we are thinking about TTC it is really getting me nervous--not the baby part but the money part and the fact that I dont know if in a year or 2 I will be ready to leave work--although I CANT imagine anyone else raising our kids--- is anyone else dealing with this issue-- how do I even begin to find out what good day care costs-- I have friends that have in home help ($10/hour) but what about daycare-- We say we want a safety net in the bank-- but my god how much is enough-- there never seems to be enough ok enough babbling but if anyone can shed some light on this it would def help laura
NIHA
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Re: Daycare
I don't know much about daycare costs, but I just wanted to comment on something you said so that you'll feel better and will not feel guilty if you work outside the home. I guess maybe our society has a misconception that if you use daycare, someone else is raising your kids. You shouldn't ever feel that if you do choose to work outside the home, that you're not 'raising' your children, b/c that's exactly what you're going to be doing when you wake up in the middle of the night for your sick child, when you get up at 6am to make breakfast and pack lunches, help with homework after school, teach them morals and values, and the zillion other things you'll do as a parent.
Mrs2Be
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Re: Daycare
Laura,
we have daycare at my job and it costs $150 a week per child. From 8:30-5:30.
not sure if that helps you, but a lot of the bigger companies on Long Island offer this benefit. Would you consider switching companies to get this type of benefit?
You go to work, and your child is downstairs at the daycare center - very convenient.
anna
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Re: Daycare
Laura,
I totally agree with what Nina said, DO NOT feel guilty if you have your child in daycare. You would be working because you want to be able to better support that child, why would you feel guilty, dont you dare ! youre doing the best you can and thats what matters :)
About the cost of daycare. I called Tutor Time a few months ago, when i was still in limo about whether to 'keep looking'. They are close to $1,000 per month (OUCH !!! ). My husband also has daycare at his job, and he looked into that - they charge a little over $800 per month. Either way seemed so expensive ! YIKES ! It really depends on your situation. Having daycare at work would be ideal if you can find a company that has it ! This way you could go visit your baby during lunch !
Whatever your decision is, feel good about it, you will be the best mommy you can be !!
phyl
Posted:
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Re: Daycare...long
WIsh my job offered some type of daycare but pls be aware that companies that offer daycare ALSO may have LOOOONNNG waiting lists too.
WE are looking into daycare sicne I am the primary breadwinner. THere is a center that is HIGHLY recommended in Oceanside...and adffliated with a synagoge. (sp?) Trouble is you have to pay dues towards a building fund and you pay to join the temple. Im Catholic so I never heard of this. Unfortunetly our church does not offer any services.
SO...with all those other payments out of the way- it still costs about $1000 a month...and they will not allow a price break if you bring your child in for less than 5 days a week. There goes my theory on how to save a little bit of $$ and stay home 1x a week.
I am getting nervous about this because we are a little more than a month away from due date and we still dont have this set up yet...or even went to the facilities. AARRGGHH not enough hours ..cannot do it on a saturday ! (sabbath) My parents are deceased so that isn't an option...and neither are the inlaws. The most I can ask MIL to do is to pick up the baby if I am running late...and she'd be GLAD to do that. She cannot afford to quit work and have us pay her to watch the child- she needs her insurance at this time in her life,....
ANd, I am not comfortable with soeone coming into my home and watching my kids...so Im in a bind
michele31
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Re: Daycare...long
This is a HUGE issue for me, as well as many women all over the place. I don't have a baby yet (not trying to the Spring) but there is NO easy answer to this question. Please let me know what you all find out. The information would be very helpful to many of us.
Laura
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Re: Daycare...long
I got this response from Stacey and thought I would share!!!! My center charges $225.00 per week for infant care. As for the cost rising my center lowers the fee at 3yrs. and they must be potty-trained. Some centers may charge more for toddlers. At 3yrs. the rate is $200.00 per week. At this age we also offer part-time care. Where ever you decide to go, do a sneak attack,that is go without an appointment. Also you can call the Department of Social Services and ask if a paticular center has any violations founded or unfounded. Important questions to ask: 1) Do you have an open door policy? Can I or another family member come and visit anytime? 2) Is everyone trained in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid? 3) What kind of and hw many hours to you require for staff training? 4) What kind of educational background do you require for Teachers and assistants? 5)What is the ratio of children to staff?(the state law for infants is 4:1) 6)Will the infant be kept on their own schedule?(very important that they are) 7) What am I required to bring? 8) How often are the toys cleaned and how are they cleaned? 9) At what age do they move up to the next room? 10) Will my child have the same caregivers on a daily basis? This is a really goodstart if I think of anything else I will let you know. If you have any other questions please ask away!
Wendy
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Re: Daycare...long
You might want to add one more question to the list: Do they keep the door locked at all times? That is a requirement in NY to ensure that no one can get in who shouldn't be in.
michele31
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Re: Daycare...long
Does anyone know which companies on LI have onsite daycare? I know Cablevision, CA and Symbol all do. Any others?
bodengallo
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Re: Daycare
I will have to agree, childcare is very expensive. There are some centers that do have 3-4 days a week if you are looking to work part-time. I have a 3year old who is in daycare 5 days a week and it is $950/mth. Not sure what the part-time rate is, but if you are seriously considering putting a child in daycare I would start interviewing during as soon as you are pregnant. Most of them have long waiting lists, especially for infants due to the child to caregiver ratio being lower when they are young. I know when we have another child, it will not be financially feisable to put them in daycare. It would be around $2,000/mth. Yikes. Not to mention I want to be home with them.
