What is normal for daycare costs?

[Anonymous]

I need Full time for 2 y/o and after AM Kindergarten for 5 y/o.... I'm hearing $250 and $150/wk respectively in the chain day care centers, but was recently quoted $400/wk and $150/wk at an 'ultra nice' new facility in NOVA. Can I find quality child care at the norm pricepoints? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of $250 per week in DC anywhere, but if you go to an in home you might be closer to that rate for FT.

[Anonymous]

Our center in D.C. is $1450/month for a 2 year old, going down to $1300 at about 2.5 years and $1050 for a 5 year old (full time).

[Anonymous]

We do part time, but I think what you quoted for a chain is about what we'd pay for full time. We are at a KinderCare, and couldn't be happier.

[Anonymous]

We pay $1250 for infant care at the Child Dev. Center (Baptist Church) at 16th & 0. The cost for 3 and older is $950.

[Anonymous]

PP Here. I meant $1150 not $1250.

[Anonymous]

OP here. So, $1630/mo for a toddler and $630/mo for after school care is clearly on the higher side of the scale... I can't explain how this makes me feel as a mom, to see a terrific, amazing facility that I would LOVE to put my children in, and yet not be able to afford it. Well, I could actually afford it, but then I think I can probably find another facility that is more reasonably priced (ex: what if this amazing center wasn't built yet, like last year... what would I do?).

Do other schools' lead teachers have elem education degrees, and what is this worth? Spanish, math, and pc skills time for toddlers, is that really making an impact? Do these things make a difference to a toddler, or should I save up and place him here when he's 4?

Ugh. I think daycare options and costs are one of the biggest problems in America that no one is addressing. We should get as big a break on childcare costs as tax deductible as we do on mortgage interest. I'll get off my soapbox now, but it just makes me mad that affordable options or tax breaks to make it affordable aren't more readily available, especially in Alice-in-Wonderland downside-up economies like the NOVA/DC/MD area.

[Anonymous]

at Nanda Child Care center the rates are

Infants/Toddlers $300 per week
Two's $240 per week
3-5 $200 per week

www.nandachildcare.net

[Anonymous]

YMCA before and aftercare = 585 + 107(?) member fee per month. (mcps k). Covers in-service days, snow days, spring break, field trips, early dismissals and many holidays.