Evening/Weekend Infant Child Care?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I have recently made the decision to start "trying" for a baby and so I thought I would get a head start on daycare options. So far....not so good...

We both work retail and as such do not have consistent 9-5 schedules...not to mention we are required to work some nights/weekends and do not have any family in the area. Depending on the week we can get away with a normal 6am drop off 7pm pick up schedule but I'm concerned that we would not have an option for evening/weekend help. I am also worried that the daycare we can afford will not be flexible enough to deal with a schedule that varies from week to week. Does anyone know of a daycare service that is flexible enough to meet our needs, dependable enough to ease my nerves, and won't break the bank of a family that relies on two incomes to pay monthly bills?

[Anonymous]

you would be needing care 13 hours a day? I dont know of anyone who offers that long of hours and I have been in daycare for many years. It is a tough one. There are some daycares open 24 hours, IF your found someone who would do the norm 10 hour day, they would most likely charge you OT for the remaining 3 hours, making you wonder if it is going to be worth working those long hours. Is there any chance you can get alternate schedules? one go in early and the other take baby in a little later, then the opposite parent be able to pick up in the afternoon and this way baby wouldnt need but maybe 8-9 hours a day? 10 hours is a long day on both baby and provider, but 13 is even worse!! Good luck

[Anonymous]

Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

Nice passive aggressive. Almost seem like you really care with Gosh. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM,..that part gave your trolliness away.

OP VA law limits daycare to 10 hours a day. Do you both have to work retail?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

Nice passive aggressive. Almost seem like you really care with Gosh. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM,..that part gave your trolliness away.

OP VA law limits daycare to 10 hours a day. Do you both have to work retail?

I would like to see where Va law limits to 10 hours. The county tells us they will pay for a subsidy child up to 10 hours of care but if the family requires longer hours, those are the responsibility of the parents. What about parents who work as a nurse or other profession where they work 12 hour shifts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

Nice passive aggressive. Almost seem like you really care with Gosh. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM,..that part gave your trolliness away.

OP VA law limits daycare to 10 hours a day. Do you both have to work retail?

I would like to see where Va law limits to 10 hours. The county tells us they will pay for a subsidy child up to 10 hours of care but if the family requires longer hours, those are the responsibility of the parents. What about parents who work as a nurse or other profession where they work 12 hour shifts?

look it up. I asked on one of my many tours and i got a wink. like its marijuana possession. It is a rule, perhaps, only enforced for parents that re not liked

[Anonymous]

****SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION**** When I said 6am-7pm I meant the earliest/latest drop-off/pick-up window. I do not believe we would regularly need 13hrs of daily care, however, in some situations it would not be out of the realm of possibilities...especially during the holidays. We share a car so if we can find a place that is close enough to home we could work on an alternate schedule. Typically he bikes/buses into work at 4am and is home around 3pm but that doesn't include his required night/weekend hours. I typically go in at 7 or 8am and get off at 4 or 5pm with an hour commute each way...again this doesn't include my night/weekend shifts. Unfortunately its retail so "typically" can change from week to week and month to month.

My main questions:

We would not need care the same hours every day/each week...what services are available that can work with us on that and can change with a days notice without much penalty?
Are there services available that offer evening/weekend hours--if so, how expensive and how reliable?
If I were to consider an Au Pair--do they HAVE to live with us? (we currently have a 1 bedroom.....)
Basically I just need more information on how all of this works and what it is going to do to our tight budget....?

THANKS!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

Nice passive aggressive. Almost seem like you really care with Gosh. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM,..that part gave your trolliness away.

OP VA law limits daycare to 10 hours a day. Do you both have to work retail?

I would like to see where Va law limits to 10 hours. The county tells us they will pay for a subsidy child up to 10 hours of care but if the family requires longer hours, those are the responsibility of the parents. What about parents who work as a nurse or other profession where they work 12 hour shifts?

look it up. I asked on one of my many tours and i got a wink. like its marijuana possession. It is a rule, perhaps, only enforced for parents that re not liked

I wouldnt say it is a parent not liked in particular, maybe a provider who doesnt want those long hours.

I would have some of my kids from 8am until 10 pm a couple nights a week so mom (single) could go to school. Sometimes I kept them overnight even, because the child had school the following day and it was just easier. Mom was getting subsidy help, and paid me for the night. I gave her a reduced price to help her out and because her daughter was like family to us at that point. As most of my kids have become over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:****SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION**** When I said 6am-7pm I meant the earliest/latest drop-off/pick-up window. I do not believe we would regularly need 13hrs of daily care, however, in some situations it would not be out of the realm of possibilities...especially during the holidays. We share a car so if we can find a place that is close enough to home we could work on an alternate schedule. Typically he bikes/buses into work at 4am and is home around 3pm but that doesn't include his required night/weekend hours. I typically go in at 7 or 8am and get off at 4 or 5pm with an hour commute each way...again this doesn't include my night/weekend shifts. Unfortunately its retail so "typically" can change from week to week and month to month.

My main questions:

We would not need care the same hours every day/each week...what services are available that can work with us on that and can change with a days notice without much penalty?
Are there services available that offer evening/weekend hours--if so, how expensive and how reliable?
If I were to consider an Au Pair--do they HAVE to live with us? (we currently have a 1 bedroom.....)
Basically I just need more information on how all of this works and what it is going to do to our tight budget....?

THANKS!!!!!

I am a provider. While an advance notice would be nice (arent you given your schedules ahead of time? When I worked retail long ago before opening my daycare, we were given our schedules the week before). Anyway, an advance notice would be nice but if it absolutely could not be given, then if I chose to work with you, I would accept it. BUT be sure to tell providers the entire situation. Nothing worse than starting with a family only to have the routine changed here and there and not have a forewarning.

A nanny would be the easiest but, they are not cheap. Maybe a nanny share?

next would be having a daycare provider, look for ones open 24 hours. I know a few in Fairfax county that offer 24 hour care and/or late hours.

As for what it is going to do to your already tight budget? It is going to make it even tighter.

[Anonymous]

FYI--I'm the one who wrote the original question and have nothing to do with this branch of the conversation....SO if anyone else wants to comment or if either of you could get past this part of the conversation I would really appreciate some feedback... I'm genuinely trying to decide if we even want to get pregnant after realizing how much help costs...so any and all feedback pertaining to this situation is welcome!!! THANKS AGAIN!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

Nice passive aggressive. Almost seem like you really care with Gosh. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM,..that part gave your trolliness away.

OP VA law limits daycare to 10 hours a day. Do you both have to work retail?

I would like to see where Va law limits to 10 hours. The county tells us they will pay for a subsidy child up to 10 hours of care but if the family requires longer hours, those are the responsibility of the parents. What about parents who work as a nurse or other profession where they work 12 hour shifts?

look it up. I asked on one of my many tours and i got a wink. like its marijuana possession. It is a rule, perhaps, only enforced for parents that re not liked

I wouldnt say it is a parent not liked in particular, maybe a provider who doesnt want those long hours.

I would have some of my kids from 8am until 10 pm a couple nights a week so mom (single) could go to school. Sometimes I kept them overnight even, because the child had school the following day and it was just easier. Mom was getting subsidy help, and paid me for the night. I gave her a reduced price to help her out and because her daughter was like family to us at that point. As most of my kids have become over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

Nice passive aggressive. Almost seem like you really care with Gosh. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM,..that part gave your trolliness away.

Um, I wasn't trying to be passive aggressive. I felt badly for the OP for having to make such a decision (before she clarified her post) and I don't think I would be comfortable with those kinds of hours for an infant. However, sometimes you have to do what you have to do, which is why I went on to suggest a nanny or au pair. Do you seriously think I sat there and thought "hmmm, I'll add the word 'gosh' to make my post sound more genuine!" I guess you have more time on your hands than I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:****SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION**** When I said 6am-7pm I meant the earliest/latest drop-off/pick-up window. I do not believe we would regularly need 13hrs of daily care, however, in some situations it would not be out of the realm of possibilities...especially during the holidays. We share a car so if we can find a place that is close enough to home we could work on an alternate schedule. Typically he bikes/buses into work at 4am and is home around 3pm but that doesn't include his required night/weekend hours. I typically go in at 7 or 8am and get off at 4 or 5pm with an hour commute each way...again this doesn't include my night/weekend shifts. Unfortunately its retail so "typically" can change from week to week and month to month.

My main questions:

We would not need care the same hours every day/each week...what services are available that can work with us on that and can change with a days notice without much penalty?
Are there services available that offer evening/weekend hours--if so, how expensive and how reliable?
If I were to consider an Au Pair--do they HAVE to live with us? (we currently have a 1 bedroom.....)
Basically I just need more information on how all of this works and what it is going to do to our tight budget....?

THANKS!!!!!

I am a provider. While an advance notice would be nice (arent you given your schedules ahead of time? When I worked retail long ago before opening my daycare, we were given our schedules the week before). Anyway, an advance notice would be nice but if it absolutely could not be given, then if I chose to work with you, I would accept it. BUT be sure to tell providers the entire situation. Nothing worse than starting with a family only to have the routine changed here and there and not have a forewarning.

A nanny would be the easiest but, they are not cheap. Maybe a nanny share?

next would be having a daycare provider, look for ones open 24 hours. I know a few in Fairfax county that offer 24 hour care and/or late hours.

As for what it is going to do to your already tight budget? It is going to make it even tighter.

Well, I assumed the budget would become tighter ( )...we are aware that some of the comforts we have grown to appreciate will need to be cut but I am not sure we are to the point yet that we can afford it after making those cuts.

We are managers and typically get schedules a month in advance....unfortunately (or possibly fortunately) My monthly schedule comes out 2 weeks before his so we have a little lag time in figuring out our overlap...but it would also work to our advantage because it would give us the opportunity to try to get the ideal drop off pick up times. We understand the importance of forewarning and would not want to place our provider in a position where we are infringing on their time. As for last min. notice...it might happen once a month due to a late schedule being produced by our managers OR extreme circumstance of having an unplanned/unexpected emergency schedule change. We would not easily allow this to happen but being retail we unfortunately have to have some flexibility to ensure the store still runs.

Do you have more information on your services that I could take to my husband?

How does a nanny share work?

Thank you so much for your informative reply!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, that's really tough. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM, and I'm not sure any centers actually do those hours. I think you will be best served by a nanny or ideally an au pair. That would solve your weekend/evening problem as well.

Nice passive aggressive. Almost seem like you really care with Gosh. I really would not be comfortable with my infant being at day care from 6 AM until 7 PM,..that part gave your trolliness away.

Um, I wasn't trying to be passive aggressive. I felt badly for the OP for having to make such a decision (before she clarified her post) and I don't think I would be comfortable with those kinds of hours for an infant. However, sometimes you have to do what you have to do, which is why I went on to suggest a nanny or au pair. Do you seriously think I sat there and thought "hmmm, I'll add the word 'gosh' to make my post sound more genuine!" I guess you have more time on your hands than I do.

Your conversation was helpful--It made me realize how much time our baby could potentially be in child care each week...although we both only work 40 hours we have commute time and odd hours that make it more difficult for us to work around. I did take into account how much stress that would put on a provider which is why I'm really torn right now on the decision...but as everyone says there is no perfect time right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:****SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION**** When I said 6am-7pm I meant the earliest/latest drop-off/pick-up window. I do not believe we would regularly need 13hrs of daily care, however, in some situations it would not be out of the realm of possibilities...especially during the holidays. We share a car so if we can find a place that is close enough to home we could work on an alternate schedule. Typically he bikes/buses into work at 4am and is home around 3pm but that doesn't include his required night/weekend hours. I typically go in at 7 or 8am and get off at 4 or 5pm with an hour commute each way...again this doesn't include my night/weekend shifts. Unfortunately its retail so "typically" can change from week to week and month to month.

My main questions:

We would not need care the same hours every day/each week...what services are available that can work with us on that and can change with a days notice without much penalty?
Are there services available that offer evening/weekend hours--if so, how expensive and how reliable?
If I were to consider an Au Pair--do they HAVE to live with us? (we currently have a 1 bedroom.....)
Basically I just need more information on how all of this works and what it is going to do to our tight budget....?

THANKS!!!!!

I am a provider. While an advance notice would be nice (arent you given your schedules ahead of time? When I worked retail long ago before opening my daycare, we were given our schedules the week before). Anyway, an advance notice would be nice but if it absolutely could not be given, then if I chose to work with you, I would accept it. BUT be sure to tell providers the entire situation. Nothing worse than starting with a family only to have the routine changed here and there and not have a forewarning.

A nanny would be the easiest but, they are not cheap. Maybe a nanny share?

next would be having a daycare provider, look for ones open 24 hours. I know a few in Fairfax county that offer 24 hour care and/or late hours.

As for what it is going to do to your already tight budget? It is going to make it even tighter.

Well, I assumed the budget would become tighter ( )...we are aware that some of the comforts we have grown to appreciate will need to be cut but I am not sure we are to the point yet that we can afford it after making those cuts.

We are managers and typically get schedules a month in advance....unfortunately (or possibly fortunately) My monthly schedule comes out 2 weeks before his so we have a little lag time in figuring out our overlap...but it would also work to our advantage because it would give us the opportunity to try to get the ideal drop off pick up times. We understand the importance of forewarning and would not want to place our provider in a position where we are infringing on their time. As for last min. notice...it might happen once a month due to a late schedule being produced by our managers OR extreme circumstance of having an unplanned/unexpected emergency schedule change. We would not easily allow this to happen but being retail we unfortunately have to have some flexibility to ensure the store still runs.

Do you have more information on your services that I could take to my husband?

How does a nanny share work?

Thank you so much for your informative reply!!

You are very welcome.

Some things you need to factor in, daycare costs are going to vary from city to city. In fairfax county alone, i have heard the scale went from $200-450 per week, and that is for in home daycare. That is what I know from talking to other providers, seeing posts advertising care, etc. Perhaps some parents can sound out on what they have found out there and how much.

A nanny share is when you have two families needing care. Nanny watches both kids, either in one house or the other or alternates, and the cost is split accordingly. At least that is what I perceive from posts I read about nanny shares. Again, someone out there who is involved in nanny shares can tell you better.

[Anonymous]

PS if you can post your email address, i would be more than happy to give you info