Reply to Why did you choose a center over an in home daycare?

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[quote=Anonymous]We like both of the options we have narrowed it to for 6mo DD.  One is a larger, well respected center downtown. Everything is shiny and new. Cost :$2150/mo. DH works downtown and would do pick up/drop off. Other option is an in home facility near our house (Silver Spring). We know families socially with children that spent 3 years there and they all seem happy, some of the children still visit with the provider and she/her staff are backup care/weekend babysitter for many of her former families. Home is clean, well kept, albeit a tad run down, but nothing unsafe. Just not shiny and new. Cost :$1300/mo. DH and I would split drop off/pickup duties. I work in Columbia, MD (often going into Baltimore for meetings, as my employer's clients are primarily Baltimore based) and commute on 29. Commute to office is usually 30 minutes, door to door. Most of our doctors are on the 29 corridor.

The biggest difference - obviously price. The big center is $850 more per month. We can afford the center, but the idea of spending $850 less per month is really attractive to us. That money could go so many places. Retirement, college savings, mortgage, anywhere, duh.

I am really trying to figure out what is the best option for our family, without making price first consideration, so I'd love feedback on what you would do and how you made the decision between a center or in home care for your child.

Pros of center: Seems incredibly organized. Classrooms on camera and can watch online. Larger group of satisfied parents that we've talked to (DH colleagues, and DCUM feedback). NYAEC accredited.  Administration seems very knowledgeable. 
Cons of center: SO big. Seems less personal. Teachers are kind, but I don't know if they really LOVE the babies, KWIM? Unsure about how well drop off/pickup will go with DH. He's never had to be so scheduled before and I don't know if he can handle it on both ends. I can see him resenting doing both daily. Very rigid pickup/drop off times.

Pros of in home: super close to home. less than 10 minutes in traffic. Providers seem incredibly loving and really seem to love all the children. The meals seems really good. I like the idea of DD having home cooked meals once she is eating solids. The other parents rave about the food and how their children love it. DH and I could split drop off/pickup. He can drop off and I can pick up. He leaves for work later than I do, so DD won't have to be at daycare for a crazy long day. No long car commute for DD. I can handle pick up every day, thus dividing the load. Flexibility with afternoon pick up (additional cost, but nice to have the option for emergencies).
Cons of center: No cameras. Facility less shiny and new, meets all state standards and such, but no NYAEC.

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