How much do you pay for full-time child care?

[mickeyboat]

I don't have my kids in daycare--but I am a licensed daycare provider (home daycare). Home daycare is the norm in my area--you very rarely hear of people using centers. My 'moms' like it because it provides the home atmosphere and they participate in family-like routines. Maybe it's a regional thing, I don't know. This is the first time I have heard negative opinions about home daycare.

I chose a home day care for these very reasons. But I live in a small town, and I know people who know people who know everyone's mother, sister, grandmother, etc. It's pretty easy to get referrals from people you trust, and to find a provider you would be comfortable with.

I think people who have relocated out of their hometowns, or who live in larger cities may have feel more comfortable at a licensed center, because they don't want to leave their child alone with a total stranger, where rules and routines may not be set in stone. Does that make sense?

Denae

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Would it make you feel better to know that a full time nanny makes as much as an elementary teacher? As a nanny I am not complaining, but as a parent I can just thank my lucky stars DS has always been welcome in my employer's home so we haven't had to pay for day care.

I do think maybe in-home licensed day cares are a regional thing, because there aren't very many around here.

 

[javaj]

Denae -- that's one of the main reasons I'm uncomortable looking for in-home day care. I don't know anyone that uses home day care in this area (Colorado Springs) so it is very difficult to get referrals for them.

Rachie0507 -- I didn't mean to sound negative about in-home day cares. I just feel more at ease with bigger day care centers because there is always more than 1 adult around. I always wonder what happens when in-home day care givers get sick, or go on vacation, or have appointments. I actually may or may not end up looking for home day cares for my infant -- just depends on the referrals I get in my area.

I appreciate everyone's input though!

 

[Monte Cristo]

Wow, Dwife and I are about to have our first child and we are going to have a friend of ours watch our baby in our house. It will be 2 to 3 days per week depending on the week (wife has a rotating schedule) at $75 per day.