Getting desperate - full-time daycare in Kensington/SS/Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the need for 7:30 to 6:30 coverage is *with* staggered hours?

I think your issue is that people who need that much coverage, usually are higher earners who are willing to pay for the convenience/longer hours of a nanny.

Yeah, I know a couple of people who are both in Biglaw and do a center combined with a nanny if their hours are that bad. But that gets very expensive and it sounded like centers alone might be a stretch for OP. It is going to be difficult if you have hours like someone in Biglaw (or similar positions) but more modest salaries. Somewhere something is going to have to give and there is no inherently right answer as to what that is for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the need for 7:30 to 6:30 coverage is *with* staggered hours?

I think your issue is that people who need that much coverage, usually are higher earners who are willing to pay for the convenience/longer hours of a nanny.

Yeah, I know a couple of people who are both in Biglaw and do a center combined with a nanny if their hours are that bad. But that gets very expensive and it sounded like centers alone might be a stretch for OP. It is going to be difficult if you have hours like someone in Biglaw (or similar positions) but more modest salaries. Somewhere something is going to have to give and there is no inherently right answer as to what that is for you.

OP here. Yes, 7:30-6:30 is with staggered hours. We do typically pick up by 5:30, and when I work from home by 5:15, but on an off-day when we both are stretched we sometimes can't get there before 6. We make a good living (over 300K) but also have massive student loans (over 300K) to get that living so in effect we absolutely cannot afford a nanny even with strict budgeting (or someplace like Children in the Shoe, for that matter).

[Anonymous]

Any feedback on KinderHaus CC?

[Anonymous]

I would see about getting a nanny or a nanny share for the 10mo old and maybe a half-day pre-school option for the 3yo where the nanny comes and picks up at noon. If you have demanding jobs this will give you the flexibility you need while providing socialization and learning for your 3yo and some needed one-on-one time your 10mo is going to need.

And since you are in Kensington you have a TON of great pre-schools around you to choose from. I didn't see Evergreen, Rock Creek Montessori, Spring Bi-Lingual or Kensington Co-op on your lists. Maybe look at them, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I would see about getting a nanny or a nanny share for the 10mo old and maybe a half-day pre-school option for the 3yo where the nanny comes and picks up at noon. If you have demanding jobs this will give you the flexibility you need while providing socialization and learning for your 3yo and some needed one-on-one time your 10mo is going to need.

And since you are in Kensington you have a TON of great pre-schools around you to choose from. I didn't see Evergreen, Rock Creek Montessori, Spring Bi-Lingual or Kensington Co-op on your lists. Maybe look at them, too.

Sorry, re-read and found Rock Creek there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Bethesda country day school by the y? I think they had pretty extensive hours. Or maybe the YMCA ayrlawn? Those are both probably too far west for you, but might be worth a call. 7:30 is really early, unfortunately.

They only take two and up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Bethesda country day school by the y? I think they had pretty extensive hours. Or maybe the YMCA ayrlawn? Those are both probably too far west for you, but might be worth a call. 7:30 is really early, unfortunately.

They only take two and up.

Sorry, didn't read closely enough. BCDS would be great for your 3 year old.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I've looked into nanny options a lot and the combination. While ideal, between the hourly rate, payroll taxes, expense reimbursements, and so on, we absolutely cannot afford it. Not even close. I want to be clear about that, which is why we are looking at centers or in home providers only.

We have looked at preschool options mentioned above, but they only take 2 and up typically.

[Anonymous]

I have posted this on other threads, but I don't think on this one - have you called Maryland Family Network? They are a non-profit that helps families find child care. http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org/programs-services/locate/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, I've looked into nanny options a lot and the combination. While ideal, between the hourly rate, payroll taxes, expense reimbursements, and so on, we absolutely cannot afford it. Not even close. I want to be clear about that, which is why we are looking at centers or in home providers only.

We have looked at preschool options mentioned above, but they only take 2 and up typically.

You have too many wants and are searching too late in the game to satisfy all of them. Stay home it's the kids if you do. It want to pay more for quality care at this point. Otherwise, you're never going to be satisfied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, any and all feedback is helpful. DH and I stagger hours at work so we trade drop off/pick up to not put the burden all on one person. That is essential since both of our jobs are demanding. We could both need to work 12 hours/day to keep up (and need those jobs to pay student loans) so we do a lot of that after the kids go to bed. There are some core hours at work we just have to be there. I work from home 2 days/week. So, we are as flexible as we can possibly be at this point as far as hours.

I'm open to in-home daycares though. Any suggestions?

I'm going to tour Family Academy but uncertain whether we can swing tuition that high.

Karasik is an option but would put DO/PU all on me since it's the exact opposite direction of DH"s work.

If he's only commuting to Chevy Chase and you're commuting all the way in to Chinatown, why couldn't he take on some of the burden?

We're really happy at Karasik--and having the sibling preference for the 10 month old slot is certainly helpful.

[Anonymous]

Hi you should visit Mis Primeros Pasitos center , it is great and structured center with high education level, they provide great food, it is in great location , 571 722 47 94

[Anonymous]

Try Goddard

[Anonymous]

Easter Seals in DTSS?

Or in-home daycare. We were really happy with ours in Kensington/Forest Glen area.

[Anonymous]

List of licensed in-homes. Just have to start calling and see if they have space for your kids age and then check them out. I lucked out years ago when we moved and had to rush to find "infant" care.

http://childcarecenter.us/maryland_homecare/kensington_md_city