I was speechless
I've been trying to figure out what to do with the kids once Sam starts school.
As I've said, with my new new schedule, I'll be able to get Sam on the bus to go to morning kindergarten. But then I'll still have that baby -- a really, really cute baby, sure, but a baby Noah nonetheless -- who needs care. Right now, I drive both of them to my sister-in-law's house in Elizabethtown.
I'm pretty sure Sam's school district won't bus her all the way to Lancaster County.
So I decided to go check out the day care that's closest to our house.
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad, baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad idea.
First of all, Damon and I decided that we didn't want to send the kids to the place where Sam used to go. The teacher turnover rate was just too high, and Sam could never get settled into a routine there.
So I went to check out the Goddard School, which is about 4 miles from our house.
It was really nice. They start teaching the babies sign language, and by the second toddler room, the kids are learning some Spanish. Everybody has to put paper booties over their shoes before walking into the nursery so nobody smears dirt and germs on the floor of a room filled with crawlers.
The place was clean, the toys were sanitized daily, and the teacher in the kindergarten-age room was very sweet and upbeat.
I was sold -- until I saw the little business card that listed the prices.
Just for Noah, for one month of full-time care, was more than my mortgage. And that's if I left Sam along the side of a road for three hours every day.
For Noah: $1,175
For Sam, who would be only half-days: $675
I was speechless. And it's really, really, really hard to render me speechless.
Three hours later, I was finally able to do the math in my head and realize they wanted $1,850 per month.
I said $1,850.
$1,850 per month.
Do they know that Noah's just a baby? That he's not, like, a serial killer who could snap and chop up the staff? That he sleeps almost four hours a day in addition to the 11 or 12 hours he sleeps at night? That I'd be paying that much money and still be providing all his formula, all his baby food, all his diapers, all his diaper wipes, all his bedding and all his clothing changes?
It's been an entire week, and I still find those numbers breathtaking. It's not that I don't think child care workers should be well paid or that I don't care how well trained the people caring for my child are.
I just can't believe anyone can afford that much money. Not just every month, but EVER.
Do your kids go to day care? How much do you shell out for it (if you don't mind sharing)?
Janet · July 7, 2008 6:14 PM
$175 a week total. She offers a discount for baby #2. They are at an in-home daycare where there are only 4 other kids. As permitted by the State, their max is 6 children which includes only one child under 12 months of age.
Unless you make people wear paper booties into your house, finding a daycare where they make people take their shoes off at the door might be sufficient. This is what mine does and apparently that leads to a $1,000 difference. ;-)
Janet · July 7, 2008 6:15 PM
P.S. - You could probably find a nanny for that much a month.
Stacey · July 9, 2008 8:44 AM
$600 per month for one preschooler - I know that infants are more. This is U-GRO at the corner or Sherman and Rte 30. They have all of the amenities that you just described but for, probably, a little less money. My son, who is going into first grade, has been attending there since he was an infant, and my daughter who is now almost four, has been attending there since she about 7 weeks old. Both children are generally excited about attending in the morning and have developed strong relationships with both staff and other children.
Amy Gulli
·
July 9, 2008 10:16 AM
Thank you! I'll check it out!
Kendra · July 9, 2008 12:39 PM
I used the Early Learning Center for my three children. Staff is committed, and most of them have been there for MANY years! The owner, Cathy Rentzel, is fantastic. She is caring and considerate of the families. All of my kids are now in school, so I am not sure of the current rates, but I do know that their rates have always been much lower than any other daycare. I can't imagine how different my children would be if they had not gone there!
Amy Gulli
·
July 9, 2008 4:22 PM
Thank you! I'll definitely check it out!
Kate Brodsinski · July 10, 2008 1:15 PM
My children go to Wonder Years Child Development Center,Inc. Chambers Rd,York. I have pre-schooler which has been there since she was baby, she will be attending Kindergarten this year, I pay $137.00 week, I also have a 1 year old which I only pay $158.00 My Husband and I are very happy with this center, it is family owned and they are very wonderful and caring people with a great staff. We would go no where else, We highly recommend them if you are looking for child care.