need some input please, major decision...

[TXmom2]

Should I stay at my job or try to come up with a better plan?

Hi all. I'm just looking for some input on this. I've been working in childcare centers on & off for nearly 20 years now. I just went back to work with my 3 month old and I'm seeing that it's really tough to manage.
Here's the details:
1. I happen to work in the infant room, which is myself and 1 other teacher with my DD and 7 other babies.
2. It costs me nearly 90% of my income to pay her tuition.
3. When DD turns 7 months (in 4 months), I will qualify for a 25% discount on her tuition because I will reach my 3 yr. anniversary for this company.
4. I do have insurance through my employer, although I could be added to my fiance's plan when we get married...whenever that may be.

Part of me would like to stay because I love my other babies and the relationships I've built and continue to build with the families..I have younger siblings now of some of my older babies. I also happen to get along and work well with my co-teacher.
Part of me would like to do some kind of work from home...Online? Childcare? I do have 2 yrs of college credit...would LOVE to be able to take some online courses and maybe even go back to school part-time. If I could do this and work from home part-time would be ideal.
My DF is very supportive. He says it just isn't worth working at my current job. He'd rather we come up with something I can do at home. Just for example, I was out sick last week and missed 4 days, so we had to pay the tuition even though DD wasn't at school and we lost quite a bit of money.

So..stick it out at current job, see if it gets easier? OR call it quits there and be a SAHM whille trying to develop some kind of way to generate some income?
We will be ok (although tight) without my income for a while..heck we just did it for 14 weeks. I think I'm just concerned that it will take alot longer to get things going from home.

What would you do?

[Carita]

i'd lean towards quitting and maybe seeing about nannying for extra income (ETA when you can be put on your DF's insurance). it seems like if you had another child, it cost of tuition would surpass what you make, so i'm not sure the gain in sorority with the company if you stay will be worth it in the long term if you plan on having more kids.

[mommy2naomi]

If I were in your shoes, I would quit and nanny another child with your dd. I'm sure the rate depends on where you live but around here, you can get $8-10 an hour to watch a child and bring your own with you. That's $320-400 a week in income and no expenses for child care.

Or you can start your own daycare, again this depends on the state you live in. But in IL, you can watch up to 3 kids in your home without a license. A home daycare around here charges $250-275 a week per child.

Good luck

[SleeplessMommy]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

2. It costs me nearly 90% of my income to pay her tuition.
3. When DD turns 7 months (in 4 months), I will qualify for a 25% discount on her tuition because I will reach my 3 yr. anniversary for this company.
4. I do have insurance through my employer, although I could be added to my fiance's plan when we get married...whenever that may be.

90% of your *take home* income??? That is way too much, I would expect free tuition in your situation. I am pretty shocked that you have stayed this long.

If your relationship with your fiance is serious I think a trip to the courthouse is in order. In home daycare is sounding good.

[TXmom2]

thanks for the replies..keep 'em coming please

Originally Posted by Carita

i'd lean towards quitting and maybe seeing about nannying for extra income (ETA when you can be put on your DF's insurance). it seems like if you had another child, it cost of tuition would surpass what you make, so i'm not sure the gain in sorority with the company if you stay will be worth it in the long term if you plan on having more kids.

I would love to have another child and we do plan on ttc in a few months

Originally Posted by mommy2naomi

If I were in your shoes, I would quit and nanny another child with your dd. I'm sure the rate depends on where you live but around here, you can get $8-10 an hour to watch a child and bring your own with you. That's $320-400 a week in income and no expenses for child care.

Or you can start your own daycare, again this depends on the state you live in. But in IL, you can watch up to 3 kids in your home without a license. A home daycare around here charges $250-275 a week per child.

Good luck

This is DF's plan. Nanny at least 1 for now and see how it goes, then maybe add 1 or 2 more...

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy

90% of your *take home* income??? That is way too much, I would expect free tuition in your situation. I am pretty shocked that you have stayed this long.

If your relationship with your fiance is serious I think a trip to the courthouse is in order. In home daycare is sounding good.

I think the tuition is rediculous myself. The discount for 18 mo. & up is much better though...I'd get 85% off. Df and I are serious I was just holding out for a nice outdoor wedding. Maybe we could make it legal for insurance purposes and have the ceremony later?? Although I'm guessing the ceremony would be put off in favor of spending the money on the kids


I'm leaning toward staying home myself, just wondering if I'm jumping the gun and should hold out for that 3 yr mark? DF wants me to quit right now (as in today) so we don't have to pay another week's tuition.

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by mommy2naomi

If I were in your shoes, I would quit and nanny another child with your dd. I'm sure the rate depends on where you live but around here, you can get $8-10 an hour to watch a child and bring your own with you. That's $320-400 a week in income and no expenses for child care.

Or you can start your own daycare, again this depends on the state you live in. But in IL, you can watch up to 3 kids in your home without a license. A home daycare around here charges $250-275 a week per child.

Good luck

Glad I'm not in Chicago. It's more like $125/week around here.
But yes, 90 percent of your take-home? Is that for full-time work? That's crazy. When you add in the cost of gas and possible increased food costs, you're probably paying for the privilege of watching other people's kids.
I totally agree that you should look into doing an at-home daycare, watching a couple of other kids. With your childcare experience you could probably charge more than the average for your area.
Is your home in pretty good shape? Would it be easy to set up for other kids?
Just to be professional and avoid burning bridges, I would give them a couple weeks notice.

[Carita]

If you quit today, do you know how much health insurance costs? That is my only reservation. If you can find something affordable, i say go for it...

[TXmom2]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

Glad I'm not in Chicago. It's more like $125/week around here.
But yes, 90 percent of your take-home? Is that for full-time work? That's crazy. When you add in the cost of gas and possible increased food costs, you're probably paying for the privilege of watching other people's kids.
I totally agree that you should look into doing an at-home daycare, watching a couple of other kids. With your childcare experience you could probably charge more than the average for your area.
Is your home in pretty good shape? Would it be easy to set up for other kids?
Just to be professional and avoid burning bridges, I would give them a couple weeks notice.

It is for part-time (6 hrs/day), but if I worked full-time, they'd charge more for her to be there full-time and it'd still be about the same. I agree and I feel like I am paying instead of earning. Home is in good shape, little cluttered but can be cleared up quickly. Only thing I'm not sure of is the layout/setup I'd need for at-home care. I have a downstairs area with kitchen, living and bonus room (DF's TV/game room). I guess I could kick him out of the bonus room and use that...

I talked to my boss today and explained the situation. Since it's a corporately owned center, she can't do anything to help but said she'd check. I told her that unless they could come up with some way to make it worth me staying that I'd have to turn in my 2 weeks notice. She said to give her a couple of days to see what she could do...

Carina, I haven't looked at ins. costs yet, but could be added on to DF's policy in a matter of weeks if it becomes urgent. I just have to hope that nothing major would happen suddenly.

Looks like I'm probably going to be a SAHM in a couple of weeks and had better get busy on finding a LO (or 2) to watch

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by TXmom2

It is for part-time (6 hrs/day), but if I worked full-time, they'd charge more for her to be there full-time and it'd still be about the same. I agree and I feel like I am paying instead of earning. Home is in good shape, little cluttered but can be cleared up quickly. Only thing I'm not sure of is the layout/setup I'd need for at-home care. I have a downstairs area with kitchen, living and bonus room (DF's TV/game room). I guess I could kick him out of the bonus room and use that...

I talked to my boss today and explained the situation. Since it's a corporately owned center, she can't do anything to help but said she'd check. I told her that unless they could come up with some way to make it worth me staying that I'd have to turn in my 2 weeks notice. She said to give her a couple of days to see what she could do...

Carina, I haven't looked at ins. costs yet, but could be added on to DF's policy in a matter of weeks if it becomes urgent. I just have to hope that nothing major would happen suddenly.

Looks like I'm probably going to be a SAHM in a couple of weeks and had better get busy on finding a LO (or 2) to watch

Sounds like you're making a sensible decision in a well though-out way. I've found Craigslist is a pretty good for hooking up with in-home daycare. I've also heard it's pretty easy to get registered by the state, if you're interested in doing that. What part of Texas are you in?
About the insurance thing, is something like Cobra an option to extend your coverage a few weeks?

[TXmom2]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

Sounds like you're making a sensible decision in a well though-out way. I've found Craigslist is a pretty good for hooking up with in-home daycare. I've also heard it's pretty easy to get registered by the state, if you're interested in doing that. What part of Texas are you in?
About the insurance thing, is something like Cobra an option to extend your coverage a few weeks?

Thanks I'm in NE Ft. Worth. I think I'd rather care for just 1, maybe 2 infants. I just need to make some income to supplement DF and I don't want to take too much away from my DD. I don't believe I need to be registered for that, correct?
Cobra...I don't think it's available if I quit..may be wrong on that though, need to check

BTW, my boss is writing to the "higher ups" because she would like me to stay if possible. She's trying to see if they can give me a better discount, raise, etc.. to make it worthwhile to stay

[boobyjuicex3]

Any news? Hoping it all worked out for you

[annekevdbroek]

I am shocked by the 90% of income for childcare. I know at the daycare that my oldest used to attend all workers - part or full time got something like 75% or more off the cost of tuition. It was one of the very wonderful benefits that kept the great teachers at that school.

I think, if the health insurance issue can be settled, you would be far ahead financially to work as a nanny or take a couple kids in at your home.

[TXmom2]

update

Well, thanks for all the reassurance ladies

I'm now officially a SAHM who is loving the time I get to spend 1 on 1 with DD. After the holidays I am going to actively pursue finding another LO to keep as well.