How much for child care in Twin Cities?

[Phoebe]

Hi Ladies,

I am sooo far from really thinking about this (just 7 weeks pregnant :p ) but I'm trying to plan ahead and get to know what my husband and I are in for. We're both working and we both contribute equallly to our family income. Not sure if I'm going to stay home or what. I carry our insurance so we are going to have to talk about this one for a while.

I am curious to find out how much I should expect to pay monthly in the Cities (St. Louis Park specificaly) for child care for my infant when he/she arrives. I would like for it to be a home day care instead of a day care center. What are the price differences between the two?

When SHOULD I start really looking?

Thanks for any info you can provide...I'm REALLY new at this one!

Amy

[Devi]

I think it's good to start looking/interviewing asap.

I am a formerly licenced provider, and know that in general fees for infants full-time start at around $125 per week, and they go up from there.

Also, if your planning on practicing attachment parenting, you will want to try and locate a provider who is sensitive to your babies needs and has similar parenting ideals?

You can call Child Care Resource and Referral Network at
651-290-9704

MN child care referral network (http://208.42.83.120/)

Also, Minnesota DayCares are more regulated then they are in many states, so that's a plus too.

Best of luck with your decision.

[becca29]

You're smart to start looking now. So many places have waiting lists!

We were lucky and found an in home daycare which is AP friendly in Minneapolis. They charge $37 for a full day (5 hours or more) and $25 for a half day. I too, carry our insurance, so I'm going back to work full time, DH will be home part time and DS will be in day care part time. We started planning as soon as we were pregnant!

[Sara Mama]

Hi! Start looking now! With my first I was on a waiting list until he was 6 months old...now I'm home fulltime.

At the University of St. Thomas Child Development Center (reallly, really nice place) an infant is around$1200 per month, I think. YIKES!

Good Luck!

[Snow]

We pay $12/hr currently for our part time nanny - she usually just works 1 or 2 evenings a week those days when dh & I are both at work. Fortunately we were able to get our work schedules arranged to cover the other times ourselves. So, yeah, it's expensive but worth every penny (IMHO) to have the kids in their own home. When oldest was a baby it was much cheaper, but we were much poorer so it didn't matter!

I have found our best part time nannies through placing an ad in the Strib and interviewing and checking references extensively. I have seen other ads offering between $8-$15/hr, so it varies. Check section 540 in the want ads. You want someone who not only professes to "love children" (blah blah blah) but who takes this seriously as a business, as they will be the most dependable. (& prolly the most stable for your baby)

My sis pays about $300/wk for full time care at a family home day care provider's and she is very happy with it.
edited to add that sis selected this provider as soon as she found out she was pregnant and got put on a list, had to wait 18 months for an opening. So it's definitely not too early to begin looking.

[Phoebe]

Holy Crap! I really hadn't planned on looking for a few months. Now with the prices I'm seeing I may have to come up with another alternative. I absolutely cannot afford $300 a week or $1000 a month. There is just no way it can be done! What is the difference between Devi's $125 a week and Snow's sister's $300 a week? Why the big difference?

Ok, now I'm starting to freak out! I know it sounds outdated but Dh CANNOT be a stay at home dad. I will not allow it! He is the career guy, I am no career lady eventhough I make the same (a little more $$ than him). He has a passoin for what he does and I do not. Plus, he doesn't cook or clean. Right now I have 2 jobs as it is if you include the house work. It looks as if I'm about to aquire another one!

The emotional roller coaster has just gone into a
downward spiral :crying

Thanks for the info. I needed to hear it.

Phoebe

[Devi]

*edited to add :hug etc...


some providers charge more as they are experienced and simply feel they can. They feel they have more to offer and thus charge a higher fee. Some have degrees in higher ed etc...

And if you read Snows suggestions, I'm sure you'll come up with a workable solution that will work out great for you and yours...

BTW, when I weighed going back to work - pt/versus working;

I added up all of the expenses we would have due to my working and found I'd bring in about $300 extra per month. My dh does work on the side and we decided to chance my staying at home instead...

It's been 5 years, and I've worked pt here and there as well as did daycare for a short time, but overall it's worked out ok for us?

I didn't have a 'passion' for my job though, which made the decision easier. ;)

Good luck with your decision whatever that may be. There are some wonderfully gifted providers as Snow said...

Also, resources for childcaring has average fees and information regarding rates and providers in your area. They can give you some good suggestions as well.

[Snow]

I'm sorry to frighten you sweetie. It's good you are thinking about this now though.
OK, one way to save money if you really want to keep the baby at your own house - hire a nanny who needs to bring her own child/children. We had success with that when oldest needed nannies. (our kids are 10 yrs apart so we've kind of gone thru this child care stuff twice now) Of course you want to make sure that it's a good fit, but it can definitely work out and since she is caring for more than one child, it is cheaper.
But still, childcare is a valuable commodity, probably the most important thing you will ever pay for, right? And it should be (but isn't in this country) compensated accordingly, right? And it's HARD work. We don't have many opportunities for subsidized care here in the US. But childcare providers need to make a living too. In a truly just world they'd be earning 6 figures and folks in certain other professions would be forced to work 2 jobs and bring their kids to make ends meet.
My sister's childcare provider has an inhome day care that has won awards and is fabulous place for the kids to be. Lots of personal love and attention by both parents who work it. Maybe that is why it is more expensive, but it isn't the most expensive out there by far.

{{{hugs}}}

[Phoebe]

Thanks for the hugs you two. I have calmed down a bit :D

It really is amazing that a family like mine that is by no means wealthy but doing better than the average, would have to worry about funding 1 child's day care. I totally agree that child care providers need to make a living. $8-$12 and hour is not much to be paid. Its hard to imagine where we'll get that kind of money...but we'll figure it out, that's for sure. Everybody else manages to do it...so can we.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

Phoebe

[becca29]

One thing we came up with..... Can you stagger your hours? On the days that we both work, I'll be working 8-4 while DH will work 11-6. That way it's less time at daycare.

They way we finally figured it out ( and I know how tough it is dealing with the insurance thing..) was to write out every scenerio, both financially and hours at daycare to see what fits you best . We looked at everything from me quitting completely and buying our own insurance to both of us working full time, and gound ourselves now somewhere in the middle. You'll be amazed at the possibilities, and that you'll find the right one for your family!!!:)

I think the toughest thing is the idea that it is so hard for families to make it on one income. We just plain couldn't do it. We do okay together, but each salary alone just isn't enough, no matter how much we cut back. I know how you feel!!!

[Sara Mama]

Phoebe- sorry to scare you. Big hugs!

Snow is right on about the value of the work and how hard it is (now that I am a stay at home mama to two...)

Moving to one income is tough, we started the transition a couple of years ago when DH went back to school. Luckily our cars are paid for! I work a little bit -- the $$ are nice, but I really need the stimulation. Have you considered pt?

Anyhoo, my sister in law pays around $150 / week out in the Excelsior / Orono area at an in home daycare she found by advertising in a local (small paper) You might try that, too.

And do cost out all your options. Many employers have pre-tax dependant saving care plans of $5000 / year that save you about 20%. That is something to think about, too.

Hang in there, but do start looking now.

[Zeppy3]

Before you decide about any daycare arrangement, visit this site:
http://www.daycaresdontcare.org

Zeppy3

[Devi]

:angry

[flutemandolin]

:splat :angry :bang :hammer :Puke :tsk :cuss

Finally I have a chance to use all the appropriate smilies.

:rolleyes:

[battymomma]

wow, zeppy3, that sure is harsh!
i would differ, but i think you do not deserve the time or energy i could put into my comeback.

**edited to take out name calling**

also adding-- I am VERY offended by the link and the opinion that childcare providers don't care. not that you are not of the right to have an opinion, but not all childcare providers are underpaid, overworked and unloving.

snow, thanks for backing me up!

[Snow]

took the words right out of my mouth Batty. *off to contact a mod*

[cathe]

I am not in your area but thought I'd share my experience with home day care. Although I am a SAHM/WAHM, when I was expecting my second I decided to line up some help for the first few months after the birth - we are in an isolated area with no family and I was afraid I would be a bit overwhelmed with a newborn and a 2 year old to care for. I called all the local daycares and found one woman who I totally clicked with - I loved her, her attitude, her home, her values, her total willingness to go along with my wishes (no sugar, juice, milk, or TV for my kids). Unfortunately, she was full - she only took 5 kids at a time. I called all the other places but I didn't feel really happy with any of them. I kept calling her and a spot opened up 1 month before the birth. I started my daughter with one morning per week - she loved it so much that we increased to two mornings. I had just been planning to do this until baby slept thru the night but my daughter loved it so much (and this woman really loved my daughter) that I kept her in. When my second dd turned 1 1/2, she started going too. Now, I am best friends with the woman and my kids love her as much as she loves them. THey still go once a week and that is when I get to do my writing.

So I guess what I am trying to say is that there are providers that do care - a lot. Also, go with your gut - you can tell if they will really love and nurture you're child.

The advice to start looking early is good. That way you have time to find the exact right provider - rather than being rushed and possibly having to settle.

[scribblerkate]

Am trying to think of the motivations for posting such a link in this thread, or anywhere else. Only a truly mean-hearted person would do so.

We did not need to use child care, so I have no recommendations. But, I am sure you will find something that works for you. Take heart that people who work in day care often do it because they love children (it's certainly not for the money) and that I have several friends in Minnesota and elsewhere who are great day care providers.