Daycare/Preschool $ Stress

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Daycare/Preschool $ Stress
5
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 12:51pm

Hello All,

I am really feeling stressed about this decision. Maybe if I talk it out I can come up with a better solution.

Currently I work 4-8pm every night, and my parents watch my daughter (20 months old). My boss would like me to go full time m-f 8-4. Personally I would also like to go back to work but I want to put my daughter in a preschool situation, not drop her right in daycare. My boss offered me a salary of $31k per year.

I toured the Goddard School today. It was wonderful, Courtney had a ball and did not want to leave.
Option 1 - 5 full days / $1160 per month
Option 2 - 9-1 every day / $870 (my mom would pick her up)

In January the cost will drop to. (I cannot wait till Jan because by that point the full time postion at my job will be filled)
Option 1- $860
Option 2 - $645

My husband thinks this is ridiculous. He would rather try to find a in home daycare setting for $150 per week.

What do you all think?

Shannon


Pregnancy%20ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 1:52pm
Sheesh,
By the time you pay for daycare, you aren't really making that much more money for all the extra work you are going to do. The daycare does seem expensive, but to be completely honest, you have to be very comfortable with where you are leaving your child, and you can't put a price on that. I don't think I'd be completely trusting of someone who you are able to pay less than minimum wage to watch your child. $150/5=$30/day/8=<$4 per hour. Unless you know someone you really trust , I would beware.
I always believed that i would put my kids in daycare once they were old enough to report to me how others treat them in my absence. In my case, my little girl has autism, and still, at age 6 can not do this. I've bitten the bullet and worked opposite my dh's schedule to bring in extra money.
I think you just have to go with your own comfort level. If you think that this is the place for your daughter, and you really want to go back full time, than don't sacrifice when it comes to be what you perceive to be safe. On the other hand, another job will always come along if the timing isn't right now. Don't be bamboozled..it is SO not worth it!! Good luck, Heather
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 2:17pm

I would continue looking at centers if that's the type of care you are most comfortable with. The price for Goddard school does seem high and might be able to find comparable care for less. As far as DD having a ball, my son is the same age and he's just now enjoying different situations and the novelty of things. She might have an equally good time at a less expensive location. Personally, I prefer centers to home care so that might slant my answer LOL.

Taleyna

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 3:01pm

My mom has a masters in early childhood development so she has made me more particular about the learning environment & curriculum. Other daycare centers are just not as good in this department as The Goddard School.

I think that I am just going to stay doing what I do now, eventually we will be able to pay our debt, finish our house, and save for retirement. And since my brother is moving out I will just tell my husband that he needs to somehow earn an additional $200 per month.

SHannon

Shannon


Pregnancy%20ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2005
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 5:01pm

Shannon,

I know how you feel, i left a job making over about 30k to be home with my dd (well i went to part-time first so dh could watch her when he was home) and although it was really hard to do, i know from having my son( who is now 9) and from being home with him the first 4 or so years, those were some of my happiest times ever, and i really can't imagine missing any of it. You have the rest of your life to work, but your little one will only be little once, and the next thing you know you will blink your eyes and she will be 10. I understand why some moms choose to work or need to work- but i always figured we would find a way to get along until i can work again..... and we are doing okay so far, of course we could be doing better but i am happy with our decision. When i quit i went crazy trying to find ways to save money and tweak our budget. I figured i wasn't making money but i could control how much went out. It's definitely still a work in progress. Could you do some daycare in your home to bring in extra money or something like that??????

Best of luck in your decision,
Shannon

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 9:45pm

Hello,

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in, for what it's worth. I am a certified teacher. Before coming home two years ago with own son, I taught kinder and first in the public school system. I've also taught fifth, but we'll focus on kinder and first. This is what I discovered from teaching kindergarten. Overall, academically, it really did not matter if the child never went to school, went to day care, or preschool. Really. I was shocked, too. Regardless of their background, most of the children quickly adapted to the school setting and were eager to learn. Those who came in reading were those who were just extremely gifted, because some did not attend school prior to kinder. At the end of the year, most knew their alphabet, numbers, etc., and were either reading or ready to read, counting and doing basic addition through at least 5's. So what's my point? Go with what's most comfortable for you. However, don't be overly impressed by all of the bells and whistles. The one thing those who excelled in my class had in common was parent(s) who read to them, spent time with them, took them places, and showed them how their world functioned. If you continue to do that, regardless of where you decide to place your little one, she will do fine academically when the time comes. Sorry so long.