Daycare/Preschool for Low Income

[Anonymous]

Hi!

My friends recently became homeless and have agreed to let me take their 4 year old twin boys until they start Kindergarten in September. The boys have lived with me before soon after they were born for two years because their mother was unable to provide for them. At that time I had assistance through Human Services and paid $60 a week for them both to go to daycare while I worked (this is when I was 18 years old).

As it will be a struggle, I can surely provide for these boys once again. The only set back I am running in to is I spoke to Arlington County Human Services in which will help out with the daycare/preschool expenses. However, after calling EVERY school on the list there were only two daycares that had openings as well as St. Agnes Catholic School (which doesn't participate in the subsudized tuition). One of the daycares was a private daycare by Ft. Myer in which was not run well. The other one is in South Arlington, which is a bit out of the way and is just for lower income families which in return is more than I would be paying with assistance. St. Agnes Catholic School with their financial aid would cost about $330 a month (which seems like the best option but still a bit more than I can afford).

Another option is Headstart which is either from 7:30am-1pm or 9am-1pm. I would love to get them in to this program, but I would need care until I got home from work around 6pm.

If anyone knows of another program, or could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. I live by Ballston Metro, and work in Crystal City.

[Anonymous]

News like this breaks my heart -- I wish I had suggestions for you, but really just wanted to take the time to post to say what a wonderful person you are.

It is my dream, someday - if/when (hopefully when) I win the lottery or something of the sort to spread philanthrophy to this type of need. Even in upper middle class I find paying for two in daycare difficult - for lower income (or no income in some cases) we need to do more for our community. -- I would suggest maybe checking "House of Ruth", they shelter homeless women/children and have a daycare on site...maybe if they have space, they are in DC. OR they may be able to provide suggestions.
Unfortunately the area you are in is sooo high rent I doubt anywhere around there will have spots.
Best of luck, you and the kids (and family) are in my prayers.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thanks for your prayers. I went to Arlington County Human Services today and they pretty much had no options. The situation they are in CPS wants to take the kids. : / I pretty much have two options to take action. Either file for custody (which I don't see being awarded to me) or just step back and let CPS do their thing (which is not something I am willing to let happen).

I might just send them to St. Agnes and try to find after school care until I get off work... : /

[Anonymous]

Have you tried posting your question/dilemna on the regular DCUM listserve...I would imagine that you might get some great advice there!

Best of luck to you...

[Anonymous]

Listserve? I don't see that on their website. Where do I go to post my dilemna? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Two responses - you can subscribe to the Listserve here
http://mailman.dcurbanmom.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/dc-urban-moms-list

And second, I know this is a bit out of your way, but in DC, NE but not too far out -- Catholic Charities runs a daycare called Model Cities, which has a mix of socio-economic backgrounds and provides subsidized care. I've heard good things about it from a friend. And they have NAEYC accreditation. When I was looking for infant care -- I decided not to work after all -- but when I was looking for infant care they were able to give me a slot in just a few months time. If they can't help they may also be able to point you to someone who can.
http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/find/services/index.php?id=99

[Anonymous]

you may also want to contact some of the agencies that serve homeless in arlington...they usually provide advice on these sorts of issues. i know the dc agencies but not the arlington ones. you could probably call bread for the city in dc and ask for the best agencies to contact in arlington.

[Anonymous]

Check out Seven Corners Center (or Seven Corners Childcare Center - something like that). It's a non-profit NAEYC accredited full-time pre-school/daycare (part of the Virginia Pre-school Initiative). Director's name is Mary Ellen Ward. My DD went there for 8 months until she started elementary school.

Explain your situation to her -she is really great - even if she doesn't have an opening, she may have some suggestions for you. 703-532-4262. It's a wonderful program. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions! I'll check them out.