How many of you use workplace daycare?

[Anonymous]

Show of hands and how subsidized is it?

[Anonymous]

I didn't even know that existed anymore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't even know that existed anymore

It does - Bright Horizons is known for it. They have a whole spiel for companies to open centers on their site. https://www.brighthorizons.com/benefits/onsite-child-care-companies

[Anonymous]

I do. It’s cheaper than other options but it’s not dirt cheap. Think: 1800/month for an infant in Bethesda versus 2500/month.

[Anonymous]

We don’t have on-site daycare but BH backup care is great!

[Anonymous]

Ours (in a federal building) was significantly subsidized until this year when they raised tuition by over $1000 per month total (we have 2 kids). It’s still cheaper than in our neighborhood and the federal building nextdoor. We pay $4700 per month total v. $5k plus in the neighborhood. Free pre-k 3 starts next month for our oldest so that is exciting!

[Anonymous]

My DC was at a Bright Horizons located in our federal building. My strong impression was that it was Bright Horizons getting the subsidies — not us. They got the space rent-free, but it didn’t seem at all like we were paying below market rate. They are currently charging $2500 for infants (suburban Maryland) so you tell me.

[Anonymous]

I did on a military base. It was inexpensive (to me, a Fed) but also better than our private care options: NAEYC accredited, low turnover in staff, longer open hours.

[Anonymous]

We don’t. We felt it would be better to have daycare near our home, not the office. It turned out to have been a very wise move during the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Ours closed during the pandemic and never reopened. But I don’t think it was subsidized for us. When I used it back in 2020 it was $1800 for a toddler. It was convenient though and I never worried about being late for pick up.

I will say the abandoned playground is a sad sight.

[Anonymous]

Remember Computer Associates Fiasco

[Anonymous]

I used to live in DC and used the daycare in our federal building, but it was run by a nonprofit and wasn’t subsidized.

[Anonymous]

I use the daycare in my federal employers building, but the costs are the same for employees vs non-federal/neighborhood attendees. There is no subsidy, but I did get priority on the waitlist for a spot.

I think the daycare priority goes something like

1) daycare employees
2) siblings
3) agency employee
4) other federal employee
5) neighborhood

I like it better than the bright horizons near my house just because the office location has a very nice and secure outdoor play space. The staff are all very nice and my kid seems to enjoy being there. (they've cried at dropoff maybe three times ever.)

[Anonymous]

Is Bright Horizons the only one with attached companies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I use the daycare in my federal employers building, but the costs are the same for employees vs non-federal/neighborhood attendees. There is no subsidy, but I did get priority on the waitlist for a spot.

I think the daycare priority goes something like

1) daycare employees
2) siblings
3) agency employee
4) other federal employee
5) neighborhood

I like it better than the bright horizons near my house just because the office location has a very nice and secure outdoor play space. The staff are all very nice and my kid seems to enjoy being there. (they've cried at dropoff maybe three times ever.)

Was it a building daycare or a federal one?