Which of these childcare set ups would you choose?

[Anonymous]

It's interesting how much opinions differ!

I'd do option #1 or #3. I would not consider #2, personally. She'd be spending most of her time at the home daycare and it sounds like that's no longer a fit. Plus, it could be hard to transition from one program to another.

On the length of day for #1 -- are you thinking DC has to be dropped off at 7:45? Because I really doubt that's the case and assume you could do the same drop off time for either #1 or #3.

Honestly I like the sound of #3 better (more convenient!) which can make a huge difference. I'd only do #1 if you feel you can't stomach the cost of #3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting how much opinions differ!

I'd do option #1 or #3. I would not consider #2, personally. She'd be spending most of her time at the home daycare and it sounds like that's no longer a fit. Plus, it could be hard to transition from one program to another.

On the length of day for #1 -- are you thinking DC has to be dropped off at 7:45? Because I really doubt that's the case and assume you could do the same drop off time for either #1 or #3.

Honestly I like the sound of #3 better (more convenient!) which can make a huge difference. I'd only do #1 if you feel you can't stomach the cost of #3.

+1 I'm confused why the summer at home daycare is a problem for option 1 but with option 2 wouldn't she also be spending the summer at the home daycare plus two full days a week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are restructuring childcare because I got a new job and our DD will be ready for preschool next year. She is 3yo now and has been at an in home daycare since she was 6 months old. Here are my options:

1. Catholic preschool 1 block from our house + aftercare $1250/month
Pros:
Our older DD went there so we know the teachers and some of the families
I absolutely cherished the walks to and from school everyday with my older DD
Our neighbors and best friends also have a child going there next year
Cons:
School goes from 7:45am-2:45pm and then we'd need aftercare until 5:15 which seems like such a long day for a 3yo
The school breaks do not align with older DD's public school schedule
School doesn't start until late Aug so she'd be at the in home daycare all summer still and I feel like she's aging out

2. Morning preschool 3x week + going back to in home daycare after $1300/month
Pros:
Her 2 other buddies from the home daycare will be going there, the daycare lady will walk them there and then school is 9-12 and she will pick them up for lunch, nap, playtime.
She would be going back to her "second home" after school
Cons:
The preschool is only 9 hours per week and I feel like she will crave more than that at 3.5yo when she starts.
Two days a week she would still be full day at the in home day care and I just feel like she's aging out/going to be bored
School doesn't start until Sept so would just be full time day care til then

3. Montessori school $1525/month
Pros:
It's in one place with drop off from 7-8:30am and pick up from 4-5:30pm
It's on the way to older DD's schools so morning drop offs would be much easier
I really think she would flourish there- be stimulated, they do outside time 3x per day, she loves playing with kids of different ages
Cons:
Cost (we are not dcum rich HHI $250k and we've never paid that much for childcare so it just feels like a lot)

Some contradictions in your post that doesn’t make sense. If summer at in home daycare is a problem for Option 1, why are you even considering Option 2 which requires a lot more time at the daycare?? That alone makes me think you need to remove Option 2.

I’m surprised to see that you don’t have any other compliments for the Catholic preschool. They are very good with engaging kids in fun activities in my experience. But the only things in the “pros” list is that it is close by and your neighbor has a child going there. And you had a child who went there. Those don’t sound very convincing. The truth is you don’t really like it.

In comparison to the pros list in Option 3, it’s clear that you want to put your child at the Montessori school.

The difference in cost between the 3 options is about $200-300. Only you know whether you can afford that. It is not about income - but about expenses. In theory a 250k household shouldn’t have an issue with $1525 a month but no one here knows what else you’re paying or whether you’re going to really struggle over paying an extra $200-300 a month, so it’s unclear whether people should be encouraging option 3 at all. If you can’t afford something then it’s not an option.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think there is a wrong answer here. They all sound like good options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go with #2, since it's a "home away from home" for your daughter and it sounds like she has a bond with her caregiver. I wouldn't disrupt that if I could avoid it.

Agree