Daycare

As of now, I am planning on being a SAHM for as long as I can, but if something changes, I need to prepare for daycare plans. I think there was a post about this before, but I wanted to see again what people are paying for daycare. Does it vary from LI to Queens/NYC? Is it different for an infant? I'm thinking that we'll need it for 10 hours a day I can't stand to think of it, but if DH and I can't manage on his salary I'll have to go back to work. If I made more than him, he would stay home but that's not the case. I have to analyze costs and if it's half of my take home pay, it might not be worth it.

This is from something that Stacey sent me----
....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 find a trusted friend or relative that works now like part time - like say making 8-10 dollars per hour and working like 20 hours per week then you can offer to pay them the salary that they would have been making- to stay home with your baby- some people are really willling to do this- i know i have has a couple of volunteers- although im not ready for babies just yet

antoniette has a good point- except they will not be getting any benefits from u ...or any payment into social security

we are still researching- but our best bet is a temple in oceanside that has an excellant prg...going to cost about 1000/mo but that does not include the 'membership' fee or the building fund- all of which u must contribute to. (temples need this funding whereas churches recieve some finacial support from the vatican)