Child Care Expense

[buffettbride]

I was just curious, for those who feel like sharing, how much people are paying for child care from infants on up to pre-kindergarten. We're getting ready to switch Tony from an in-home provider to a center and it just blows my mind what it costs.

Here in Denver, for a good in-home provider, it's about $160 a week, but you're screwed if they are sick or have a day off, and the hours of availability are pretty hard for working parents.

For an 'average' day care center/child care center chain or something, it's about $190 a week for a toddler. For a really good center or Montessori, it's at least $200 a week and I've seen as high as $275 a week for an infant. I have been absolutely disgusted by some of the child care centers as well as some in-home provides. We were very fortunate with Victoria that her child care expenses were very in-line and she was at a FABULOUS preschool that really did make a difference.

Child care is one of those odd expenses that actually goes down as a child gets older.

Anyway, thanks for your input, if you're willing to share.

[sy]

I don't have a child but I was amazed that the one guy I work with, to put his two children in daycare was 3k a month. I guess broken down to what it is a week, that's fairly standard for good care?

I was blown away that it was actually that much.[/url]

[buffettbride]

I don't have a child but I was amazed that the one guy I work with, to put his two children in daycare was 3k a month. I guess broken down to what it is a week, that's fairly standard for good care?

I was blown away that it was actually that much.

For Tony it's about $900 a month. As an infant is was $1000 per month. Things are more expensive on the east coast, so I can easly see $3k per month for two kids.

[Tiki Bar]

I just leave em home alone... toughens em up!

[buffettbride]

I just leave em home alone... toughens em up!

They can get their own damn Rice Krispies!

[Cubbie Bear]

All I know is child care and orthodontists are both bastages. We just get done putting $500+ a month into child care and we have to turn around and put almost that much (or more) into our other two daughters mouths.

[Soraya]

All I know is child care and orthodontists are both bastages. We just get done putting $500+ a month into child care and we have to turn around and put almost that much (or more) into our other two daughters mouths.

I've always been pretty lucky with schedules and good aftercare programs (and being a SAHM while she was an infant).....summer camps are still the only real cost we have.....but her braces...ouch....5k.

Thankfully her doc offers 0% finacing and it comes to 192.00 a month. Unfortunately, that is the difference in the carpayment from the I can 'live' with and the car I 'want'. LOL! I've told Rocky that she's walking around with my new car in her mouth!!

[PalmTreeGal]

My keet goes to an a gal who babysits in her home and I pay $75/week which is a bargain. I've been looking at putting him into a center once we move. I have found from $110/week - $175/week....OUCH! But it sounds like I'm pretty lucky compared to some of you.

[buffettbride]

All I know is child care and orthodontists are both bastages. We just get done putting $500+ a month into child care and we have to turn around and put almost that much (or more) into our other two daughters mouths.

I've always been pretty lucky with schedules and good aftercare programs (and being a SAHM while she was an infant).....summer camps are still the only real cost we have.....but her braces...ouch....5k.

Thankfully her doc offers 0% finacing and it comes to 192.00 a month. Unfortunately, that is the difference in the carpayment from the I can 'live' with and the car I 'want'. LOL! I've told Rocky that she's walking around with my new car in her mouth!!

Oh gosh! Summer camp is a whole other gripe!!! Not just he $$, but finding a place that is tolerable. Victoria hates the regular day-camp type stuff. We've found a summer acting camp that she really likes, though, and isn't too much more than the regular day camps.

[buffettbride]

My keet goes to an a gal who babysits in her home and I pay $75/week which is a bargain. I've been looking at putting him into a center once we move. I have found from $110/week - $175/week....OUCH! But it sounds like I'm pretty lucky compared to some of you.

It seems like a lot, but pick the place you like the most as long as you can afford it. We've given up other "luxuries" to make sure the kiddos are in a place that's best for them. It makes such a difference, if only with your peace of mind.

[buffettbride]

All I know is child care and orthodontists are both bastages. We just get done putting $500+ a month into child care and we have to turn around and put almost that much (or more) into our other two daughters mouths.

I think Victoria is getting braces next year. She has a gap between her two top front teeth. Although, she kinda likes the gap and as long as her speech isn't impeded, we might just let it go.

She's very impressed by actors/actresses that have a "gap"

[pbans]

We were so, so lucky when it came to childcare....my mother in law watched her until she was two (we did pay her) and then my best friend, Tammy, moved in down the street and opened a home day care/pre school....she only charged me $10 a day.
I remember asking Caitlin one day, when she was about four....
"Who made you so pretty?" She would say "God"
"Who made you so smart?" She would say "Tammy"
Tammy is still her "other mother"......I don't know what I would have done without her!

[st.somewhere]

We got pretty lucky in childcare department. Jody's bestfriend (Linda) actually went out on permanent (or long term - can't remember the details) disabilty about 3 months before Haley was born, so she's has become our "nanny" or as she has dubbed herself "Aunnie" (Pronounced: Awww-knee). Anyway, she watches Haley 3 days a week for a total of about 18 hours. She only charges us $100 per week. We lucked out big time!! Now that the kid is becoming mobile I fully expect her to ask for a raise!! I know I would!!

[buffettbride]

We were so, so lucky when it came to childcare....my mother in law watched her until she was two (we did pay her) and then my best friend, Tammy, moved in down the street and opened a home day care/pre school....she only charged me $10 a day.
I remember asking Caitlin one day, when she was about four....
"Who made you so pretty?" She would say "God"
"Who made you so smart?" She would say "Tammy"
Tammy is still her "other mother"......I don't know what I would have done without her!

I would LOVE to let my MIL watch him every day, but that drive would be horrendous and she's sooooooooooo tardy, all the time.

I'm always so jealous of people that have really good (and reliable) friends and family to help with child care stuff. Fortunately, hubby and I both have the ability to work from home if needed in a pinch!

Don't forget to ask your daughter, "Who made you such a Parrothead?"

[buffettbride]

We got pretty lucky in childcare department. Jody's bestfriend (Linda) actually went out on permanent (or long term - can't remember the details) disabilty about 3 months before Haley was born, so she's has become our "nanny" or as she has dubbed herself "Aunnie" (Pronounced: Awww-knee). Anyway, she watches Haley 3 days a week for a total of about 18 hours. She only charges us $100 per week. We lucked out big time!! Now that the kid is becoming mobile I fully expect her to ask for a raise!! I know I would!!

I'd be soooo afraid to mix friends with child care. I'm wayyyyyy to picky and finicky when it comes to the kids. But, then again, my friends and hubby's friends have trouble holding down jobs, much less taking care of babies.

My folks helped out a lot with Victoria, but my mom's health has deteriorated quite a bit over the last few years and doesn't have the stamina for a little-little one all the time.

[st.somewhere]

My folks helped out a lot with Victoria, but my mom's health has deteriorated quite a bit over the last few years and doesn't have the stamina for a little-little one all the time.

No, I totally hear ya. Jody has a bunch of girlfriends and Linda is the only one that I would ever consider letting watch my daughter. When Haley first started going over there I think I called Linda like 3 times a day for the frist two weeks to make sure everything was okay! After seeing how great she is with Haley, I couldn't think of anyone else watching her.

[redparrot26]

The running joke at my office with other parents is, we save all year to be able to afford the summer months. It's funny, but sad at the same time.

I used to look forward to the summers. Now I have to water and mow the lawn. I have to endure the heat that is my rental house (luckily it's cold in the winter too! ) And I have to come up with at least twice what I pay during the school year for my two boys.

Too bad I don't get any tax breaks/refunds, that would help. Hmm, I wonder why the ex is driving the newer car and living cool in her AC'd house?!?!

[buffettbride]

My folks helped out a lot with Victoria, but my mom's health has deteriorated quite a bit over the last few years and doesn't have the stamina for a little-little one all the time.

No, I totally hear ya. Jody has a bunch of girlfriends and Linda is the only one that I would ever consider letting watch my daughter. When Haley first started going over there I think I called Linda like 3 times a day for the frist two weeks to make sure everything was okay! After seeing how great she is with Haley, I couldn't think of anyone else watching her.

It takes a very responsible person who thinks of it as a job and not as a fun activity to watch my kid. Sounds like Linda definitely sees it as such.

[buffettbride]

The running joke at my office with other parents is, we save all year to be able to afford the summer months. It's funny, but sad at the same time.

I used to look forward to the summers. Now I have to water and mow the lawn. I have to endure the heat that is my rental house (luckily it's cold in the winter too! ) And I have to come up with at least twice what I pay during the school year for my two boys.

Too bad I don't get any tax breaks/refunds, that would help. Hmm, I wonder why the ex is driving the newer car and living cool in her AC'd house?!?!

Man. That stinks, but I figure if you're not the primary caregiver (or considered as such) you don't get the child tax breaks at the end of the year. It sure does make a difference.

I hope to heaven that ex-wifey helps with the summer care expenses, 'cause those aren't cheap either. For us, it's just par for the course because we pay monthly tuition for Victoria's school, and we just budget the same money for her summer care.

[shakerofsalt]

no comment!