Help! Moving from Arizona

[Anonymous]

Hello, my husband is being transferred to Arlington for work from Arizona. He will work around the Ballston Metro station. We will be moving to the area in February or March 2013. I'm pretty nervous because we do not yet know the area we want to live and I need to find a job when we get there and we need to get on a daycare list ASAP. I was thinking of either the Vienna/Falls Church area, or the annadale/Alexandria area. I have one son who is one year old that will be going to daycare full-time Monday through Friday. Does anyone have daycare recommendations in either area? Does anyone use a nanny share program? I've never heard of this so I am skeptical of using, sounds expensive? Thank you for any comments that you can provide.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I can't help you too much - I live in the District and don't know to much about Virginia options. I just wanted to say welcome to the area and I hope it all works out.

I think though that nanny shares are more common in DC proper and in Virginia daycares are usually home based, although there are centers too. I'm guessing your husband's work doesn't have a daycare option?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, unfortunately you are moving to a very costly area for childcare compared to Arizona! Sorry in advance. You should check out the Arlington County directories and maps of both daycare centers and in-home providers here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/HumanServices/services/family/page65333.aspx

They have both the larger daycare centers as well as listings of licensed in-home providers. (PP is right, the Arlington area doesn't have a ton of daycare options; in-home providers that watch 2-3 children are more common.) For under-2s, the daycare waiting lists can be long, often a year - 18 months. I would just start calling all of them in the Vienna/Falls Church area!

[Anonymous]

Forgot to add this link, too, from State of VA. You can search by zipcode, which may be easier for you:

http://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc.cgi

[Anonymous]

The public schools are better in the Vienna/Falls Church area versus the Annandale/Alexandria area. It is quite expensive here, so part of where you live will depend on your housing budget.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,
A nanny share could be equally as expensive as a non-family daycare. Depending on the daycare or the nanny share, one could be a few grand more a year than the other. Also if you do a nanny share, keep in mind that there will be expenses involved in hosting. They may be minimal (electricity, food, whatever) but they are definitely there.

If you are trying to keep your daycare costs under control, a family daycare would be the most affordable. To find a family daycare, I would start calling the counties approved list of providers. Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington all have them. Sometimes I look on Craigslist. Occasionally, there are mothers recommending their provider because their child is leaving and they are trying to help the daycare fill the spot (not all mothers know about DCUM).

If you focus on finding a place to live first, it will be easier to narrow down childcare options later. Most home daycares look about 3 months into the future. Regular daycares have waitlists for years sometimes. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, here's a nice listing of daycare facilities in Arlington. Hope it helps

http://www.arlingtondaycare.com/

[Anonymous]

What part of Alexandria are you looking in for care?

[Anonymous]

What part of Alexandria are you looking in?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, didnt mean to post twice but I didnt see the first message show up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, my husband is being transferred to Arlington for work from Arizona. He will work around the Ballston Metro station. We will be moving to the area in February or March 2013. I'm pretty nervous because we do not yet know the area we want to live and I need to find a job when we get there and we need to get on a daycare list ASAP. I was thinking of either the Vienna/Falls Church area, or the annadale/Alexandria area. I have one son who is one year old that will be going to daycare full-time Monday through Friday. Does anyone have daycare recommendations in either area? Does anyone use a nanny share program? I've never heard of this so I am skeptical of using, sounds expensive? Thank you for any comments that you can provide.

If you are looking for a loving in home daycare, please consider Kareema. She is located in Bailey's, easy to get to right off Columbia Pike, Rt 50, or Lee Hwy. She has immediate openings, her home is wonderful, perfect for both newborns and tons of activities/toys for toddlers. She has a separate room for naps that is perfect. We are so happy with Kareema!!! I especially love that she makes all of her own organic food for my daughter, 10 months, and I get a written report everyday of how she did that day. Kareema is licensed, CPR/First-Aid certified. Ages newborn to 4years.

Please feel free to call her directly with any questions or to set up a visit. Her phone number is 571.278.3576 (cell) or 703.465.4795 (home). I'm happy to answer any questions about Kareema. I can't say enough good things about Kareema!!

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I had a wonderful daycare provider who was right on the line of Alexandria and Annandale - Nahid is an in-home provider through the Infant Toddler Family Daycare Network. Email me if you want her contact info - [e-mail]