Daycare question

JenniferAnnes · March 2011

Hi ladies...I don't normally post on this board, but I have a question for you. DH and I are expecting our first LO in September. Ladies on my birth month board are already talking about searching for daycares and getting on lists. I'm still undecided if we want to find someone who provides care in their home, or take the baby to a daycare center.

If we decide on a daycare center, do any of you have an idea of how soon we need to start looking into this? I don't want to wait too long and not have any options available, but it seems really early to start looking already.

sparker298 · March 2011

I think it seems early to start getting to far into looking. I suppose you could call around and just see what your price options are. I was always one for liking the in home care better at the younger ages. Just because they are around less kids and less germs. My kids were barley sick for the first years of their lives, this year they have been sick more but our sitter has more kids then she has in prior years. But still not as sick as other kids we know that are in a day care center. I don't know how long in advance for a day care center, but I don't think it would pay to call now for a list in sept, they may not even hold a spot for you that far out. Plus figure you have the baby in sept, not sure if you are taking 6weeks or 12 weeks off, but that puts you in oct/nov for when you actually need a person.

Ron*N*Kel · March 2011

I tend to agree it may be a bit early. Big cities you probably do need to reserve a spot, here in the Toledo I would assume you have some time! At least you have time to decide b/t in home care and daycare center. My 4 yr old dd went to an in home care for 2 years (I now SAH). It was $25 a day and obviously much less expensive then a daycare center. You will need to weigh the pro and cons of each and what works best for you. You may also start asking friends/coworkers who they use. Sometimes it makes you feel better if someone has 1st hand experience.

JillBean78 · March 2011

I would say when you call around and get pricing, ask the center how far in advance you should pay your deposit and have a spot held for you. They are going to have a pretty good idea. I know some around here do have a waiting list. Maria Child Care for one I know does.

Sunidaze · March 2011

It's definitely not to soon to start looking at all the different options. We started around the time we first found out...and still haven't completely decided what we are going to do. You'll need to decide what you need and what you can afford. It's unlikely we'll leave our baby in someone else's home...we've both just heard too many nightmare stories. Although...my boss is supposed to be giving me the name of a lady in Ottawa Hils who a lot of people recommend (however, given that location, I wonder if we would even be able to afford that). And day care centers can get so pricey! We're still clueless and wish my mother was retired!

MonkeySender · March 2011

I would say to go ahead and start calling. I don't live in Toledo but I know down here the good places have a 6 month + waitlist for infants and for older kids it can even be around a year.

LeighRiehm · March 2011

I work for one of the bigger name daycares in the area and my location doesn't have any waiting lists, and we haven't in over 2 years. You can always call and get prices and even tour. We usually get infant tours when they are 7-8 months pregnant or not long after they have a baby.

JenniferAnnes · March 2011

Thanks so much ladies! DH and I might start looking at our options and calling a few places just to get an idea of the prices and things like that.

Daycare question

Re: Daycare question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards