We're at a federal daycare downtown but don't work for the sponsoring agency (still feds, though). There is no break in tuition for those at the sponsoring agency and we were able to get in at 12 weeks for our first. We got very lucky with that, but it does happen. Get on the lists ASAP!!!

I looked into my agency's daycare. Even with priority, it was a very long waiting list AND was significantly more expensive than the daycares near my house. Like $400 a month more. Plus I now don't have to drag my daughter on metro or deal with driving in to the city.

Sorry...I was saying: I would never switch agencies for daycare unless all other considerations were equal because it's just not very likely that you'll get into a federal daycare. I put myself on DD's daycare's list at 5 Weeks pregnant and got a spot when she was 6.5 months.

Anyway, put yourself on waiting lists NOW.

Our kids are in a Bright Horizons daycare with SEC. We are happy with it, but it is super expensive. No breaks for the feds.

I think I save $50 every 2 weeks for DD's daycare because I work at the sponsoring agency. I also got preference over those at non sponsoring agencies. But I would never s

I currently work at a federal agency that doesn't have a daycare. We're considering starting to try for a baby. The work that I do could be done at several agencies, some of which have daycares. We live centrally so while commute is always an issue, many agencies will be close. (Although of course, who knows, with hiring freezes if I'd be able to get a good position at an agency with a daycare).

How valuable is it to be at a federal agency that has a daycare? Is just the convenience of it, or is it also less expensive?

What are the best agencies to work for as a fed, on a moderate-for-this-area household income, with a child in daycare?