Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of child care centers offer financial aid or scholarships or operate on a sliding scale. They might not advertise it. I worked for 2 federal centers that offered scholarships (and pretty much everyone who applied got *some* assistance). I currently pay 50% at my child's NAEYC-accredited center (not in DC) because they operate their tuition on a sliding scale.

making in the 6 figures this will be hard to qualify for. maybe for kid #2 but still - she makes over $100k.

Not necessarily. There are programs that have to spend all of their scholarship fundraising annually and it goes to whoever applies. It never hurts to apply.

Check care.com, sittercity & bambino.

Your best bet for affordable childcare is in cheaper parts of NoVA and most of PG. It may be a long shot, but it may be worth discussing your issue with your landlord. They may allow you to break the lease.

Anonymous wrote:A lot of child care centers offer financial aid or scholarships or operate on a sliding scale. They might not advertise it. I worked for 2 federal centers that offered scholarships (and pretty much everyone who applied got *some* assistance). I currently pay 50% at my child's NAEYC-accredited center (not in DC) because they operate their tuition on a sliding scale.

making in the 6 figures this will be hard to qualify for. maybe for kid #2 but still - she makes over $100k.

The one single mother I know has an Au Par. They live in a 2-bedroom rented apartment. The Au Pair has her own room.

You should check your lease for a buy out clause. Honestly, the daycare is so much cheaper and easier to get in the 'burbs.

Do you have room for an au pair? Probably not, but that might be your best bet. I think they are around 20K annually. Ask on the nanny/au pair forum!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might have to go with a nanny right now until you can move and to keep your job. You will have to incur debt most likely but it sounds like you are desperate and maybe this is the only option for a year. Once your lease is up you can move and once the infant is 2, daycare centers will be cheaper.

It doesn't sound like she can afford a nanny. A decent nanny for two kids costs at least $15 an hour. Including overtime for 45hrs is almost 3k. If she can't afford daycare, she can't afford a nanny.
Let's not forget that nannies have to make a living too.

Your math is off. Almost 3k is still less than 4K (2k EACH KID). So she could afford the nanny easier than 2 kids in daycare.

PP is right that summer is actually kind of an advantageous time for you because you may be able to find more affordable college-age help to buy you some time. You need to get someone working for you fast so you can start working the new job and not lose it.

I'm sure you have already looked into this, but just in case - does your ex have any assets in the U.S.? Work for a company that has U.S. links? Have you tried hiring a lawyer in his country to go after child support? Would moving to MD or VA put you into a state-level reciprocating arrangement with his new country re: child support?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone who posted helpful advice! I really appreciate it.

Where are the church daycares posted? I am looking on the dc.gov website but the list of licensed daycare is not much and all of the ones I called so far have no availability.

Btw, I selected all the wards, not just ward 3 which yielded no result at all.

OP Most church daycares won't work for you because the majority are not full time. They're like 9-12.

I would call the inhome daycare list (I'm in FFX county and it's posted through the county, but I'm sure DC is similar) and ask everyone if they know someone with openings. Usually the inhome daycares know who has openings.

Fairfax is unique because ITFDC operates as its own sub-licenser for DSS. It's a strong network.

OP, would you consider doing child care in VA or MD while working to find a better solution in DC?

I would advertise at all the colleges and Craigslist that you're looking for temporary summer help. You can find a 22-year-old early childhood major for $15/hour to get you through July.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone who posted helpful advice! I really appreciate it.

Where are the church daycares posted? I am looking on the dc.gov website but the list of licensed daycare is not much and all of the ones I called so far have no availability.

Btw, I selected all the wards, not just ward 3 which yielded no result at all.

OP Most church daycares won't work for you because the majority are not full time. They're like 9-12.

I would call the inhome daycare list (I'm in FFX county and it's posted through the county, but I'm sure DC is similar) and ask everyone if they know someone with openings. Usually the inhome daycares know who has openings.

This is not true in DC. There are a number of churches with full-day care like 7 am to 6 pm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone who posted helpful advice! I really appreciate it.

Where are the church daycares posted? I am looking on the dc.gov website but the list of licensed daycare is not much and all of the ones I called so far have no availability.

Btw, I selected all the wards, not just ward 3 which yielded no result at all.

OP Most church daycares won't work for you because the majority are not full time. They're like 9-12.

I would call the inhome daycare list (I'm in FFX county and it's posted through the county, but I'm sure DC is similar) and ask everyone if they know someone with openings. Usually the inhome daycares know who has openings.

I don't know about Ward 3 but I've seen signs for full time daycare outside churches in Shaw and along Rhode Island Ave NE. Ask in the daycare forum.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone who posted helpful advice! I really appreciate it.

Where are the church daycares posted? I am looking on the dc.gov website but the list of licensed daycare is not much and all of the ones I called so far have no availability.

Btw, I selected all the wards, not just ward 3 which yielded no result at all.

OP Most church daycares won't work for you because the majority are not full time. They're like 9-12.

I would call the inhome daycare list (I'm in FFX county and it's posted through the county, but I'm sure DC is similar) and ask everyone if they know someone with openings. Usually the inhome daycares know who has openings.

This is why an unhappy marriage is sometimes better than a happy divorce.

Anonymous wrote:

Nevermind! I see that's 2K each.

FWIW, plenty of people do have nannies or sitters in DC for aorund $500/wk, under the table. You won't hear that advertised here, though.

It's $2000/month for both.