Day Care - Where to start?

[Pollyanna]

Are you only interested in a daycare or would you consider a nannie service? That might be easier for you in terms of working around your travel schedule and hubby's intern schedule.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Are you only interested in a daycare or would you consider a nannie service? That might be easier for you in terms of working around your travel schedule and hubby's intern schedule.

I would definitely consider it but I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that it's out of our budget. We wouldn't want someone living with us but I do think we should explore all our options.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Its probably the Side by Side Chapter, http://www.cmda.org/WCM/CMDA/Ministr..._by_Side_.aspx if you want me to find out the contact information for the local chapter let me know and I'll get it for you.

I have no advice on the daycare, good luck!

That would be awesome. Finding a church will be one of our top priorities but I forgot that they might know daycares as well.

[Pollyanna]

I would definitely consider it but I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that it's out of our budget. We wouldn't want someone living with us but I do think we should explore all our options.

I think the price is fairly comparable from what I understand. It's worth checking out. If you go through an agency see if they also have coverage if your nanny gets sick/goes on vacation/etc. The plus of having someone at your home is if your sweet little girl is sick you can still go to work (not that you would want to but it is an option). Once she gets to be a toddler you could switch to a daycare so she would have interaction with other kiddos. Just another option to check into.

[SuzySunshine]

I sent my friend an e-mail for the contact, I'll PM it to you as soon as I get it.

As for the nanny, if you do need a lot of coverage, times, etc. a nanny might be your best best and once you get outside of the regular 6am-6pm coverage it probably is going to be about the same cost. Early and late care are usually so expensive.

[Vishenka69]

Yes, C is right that most daycares consider 10 hour a day to be full time, some will do 12 but when she gets sick, someone will have to stay home with her. Nanny might be your best option in that case.

[ladymoreta]

Will you still be traveling? If so, I'd definitely go with the nanny.


Laurie

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Hopefully Cassy or L.Jane. can chime in - or you might want to shoot them a PM!

[Bittersweet]

We used a nanny when I worked full time. It was the perfect solution for my long hours and DH's unpredictable schedule. It was more expensive than any daycare we looked at, though. And there is no way we couldn't have afforded an agency nanny. We paid a set amount for the regular 7:30 to 5:30 work week and an hourly rate for hours worked beyond that. I bet it varies by region but PM me if you want specific numbers. We found our nanny through personal reference but several people in my office have had luck with care.com. The website may also give you an idea of the cost for your new area.

[MrsK]

My subconsious has been working on this thread because a thought just occured to me while I'm home with a sick baby today. For once, I am going to disagree with LadyM. When I was working and commuting, day care was more reliable than a nanny. If your nanny is sick or goes on vacation or is otherwise unavailble, you're sunk. If D is in day care and a caregiver is sick, there are other caregivers. Unless your nanny lives in or is part of an agency that can send another nanny, I'd prefer the daycare. Yes, they will send D home if she is sick. And you will need a back up plan for that - like working from home that day. And a back up back up plan in case you are OOT.

[ladymoreta]

Ah, good point, MrsK!!!


Laurie