Thanks for all the great comments on my last post. Since I put it out there - I guess I needed to take some action on my 'making plans' for this baby!
Aaron and I have been talking about our day care options. Having one of us stay at home is not an option - so we need to figure out the best way for us to solve the day care dilemma. One of the advantages of being about the last person in your group to have a baby is that you can learn from everyone else's experience. My friends are pretty much spilt into 4 groups. Stay at home, full time day care, live in au pair, and part-time work/part time day care. Like I've already said, stay at home isn't an option, and for the same reasons, neither is the part-time work.part time day care. But there is the au-pair/day care discussion.
Here is what I'm thinking. The beauty of the au-pair is two fold. They are less expensive than full time day care, and much more flexible. The general rule with an au-pair is that they work 45 hours a week, and you have to give them one full weekend off a month. The down side is that they live in your house. Our house isn't really set up that another adult living in the house would be all that separate from us. I think that the money we would save would really be minimal in the end (you are also expected to provide them a car, which would mean an extra person on our insurance, plus obviously feeding them). I think we would have thought longer on the au-pair if we were having twins (I can't imagine the day care costs involved with twins!!!).
The fancy day care place is just that. It has the ideal setup that people tell you to look for in a day care (it was just built the beginning of this year). The staff is great. And - it's only 7 minutes from our house. I think this is going to be the deal breaker, as this will allow both Aaron and I to do drop off and pick ups. One of my girlfriends is totally in charge of the daycare 'duties' and that seems pretty brutal. No matter what - she needs to leave the office at an exact time. If she is sick - she has to drive him in (which is a 20 minute drive - so a 40 minute round trip).
So - with all that in mind, I'm taking Aaron for a tour of the fancy place tomorrow. Get his input. He is always good about asking the questions that I forget to ask and really looking at things. I'll report back on what he thinks!
13 comments:
Hmm...you can't split an au-pair with one of your friends, can you? That sounds pretty awesome. It really sounds like you have found a terrific daycare though.
I'm here from NaComLeavMo.
I'm so happy for you! It definitely sounds like this baby is truly wanted. And it sounds like the daycare is really wonderful. I hope that Aaron likes it just as much as you!
Good luck!
I have been a nanny (not live in) and worked in early childhood centers. Those were the days I had a little more patience, now I teach elementary school...feel free to ask any questions. Nannies who don't live in are a great option.
I think I'd prefer a daycare to the in-home nanny. I've never known anyone in my life that had an au-pair.
Not becoming the only pick-up/drop-off option for our child's day care is key for my hubby and I. There is a great daycare center at my work, but I cannot take on that burden 100%. So that is great that you've found something that is near your house! I hope the tour goes well.
Good luck with the tour! I know you'll make the decision that's best for your family.
It is a very good idea that both of you will be able to do daycare runs and I'm glad that both of you will be looking at the facility.
On the au pair front, my SIL has an au pair and she does split his hours with a neighboring family. He lives with my SIL full-time though.
I have an opinion on this but I really don't want to get slayed...so this is just me and my thoughts.
I was a live-out nanny for a total of six years and two different families. I think daycare is great when the child is a bit older - stronger immune system, more child interaction and all that. However having a live-out nanny with a safe vehicle that is insured by him/her is really a win/win for two working parents. I would work the same hours M-F we would try and coordinate our vacations as closely as possible and if the child is ill you are not forced to rush over and pick them up. Also if your running a little late there is no extra charge. Plus nanny sharing has become very popular in recent years. Anyway I could go on and on about the different options - I did a lot of research when I was drawing up my contracts. If your interested email me - maybe we could get together by IM or over the phone. I also have a great list of questions that parents should ask of any care provider.
Sounds like day care it is. I hope you like the close facility.
I hated making the daycare decision. The first one we went to I cried at. Not because it was bad, but just because I wanted to be one of those stay at home mom's. It just was not in the cards for us. I hope the 7 minute drive Daycare works out for you! Ours is about that, unless there is river traffic, and we have to drive around. It is really nice.
...via NaComLeavMo..
Good luck with the Day Care. I had to have my oldest in day care. I ended up taking her to 4 total because of problems. Just remember if you get any funny feelings while your child is actually in daycare, listen to your gut! I let some things go at my daughters 2nd day care & we ended up catching a worker grabbing my daughters arm because her & another toddler were arguing over a crayon.
I like Jen's idea of splitting an au-pair with another couple, but realize that's probably easier said than done.
In the meantime, I wish you good luck with the tour of the daycare, and hope it meets all of your requirements and expectations!
Good for you for checking it out already, too!
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