Cost of child care for twins?

Is it double what it would be for one baby?

Or do centers / providers give some discount for two at once?

What are the pros & cons of the various types, incl cost-effectiveness?
-center
-someone who sees a small # of children in their home
-having someone come to your home

I'm a social worker, work long, emotionally draining, stressful hours and very underpaid. Wondering if it will be worth it to go back to work...

TIA!

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

My girls go to daycare 3 days a week and we are paying $1450 a month, which is a great price. The first child is full price and then 10% off the second child. I have seen many daycares give a second child discount. If they were to be in full time it would have been about $2000 for the month and that was out of our range.

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

We have a sitter that watches our 3 girls 5 days a week from 8 to 3 and we pay $450 cash. It's pricy but much cheaper than a daycare center for 3 kids.

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

I only work 2 days per week, but maybe my prices can help you get an idea. My twins go to a chain daycare center two days a week... that costs about $350 a week (up unitl 18 months, then its a little less). that includes a 10% discount off second child.

For us, daycare center was the best option. Since I only work 2 days, I work long days and the center is open from 6:30am til 6:30pm. I also like that I don't have to worry about the caregivier getting sick, or emergency coming up, etc... the center always has floaters and back-ups so its a definite thing. Since I only work 2 days I can't miss work bc of an unreliable sitter. An inhome daycare would be an option if i could find one in the right location with the right hours, which so far I have not been able to find.

Message edited 4/2/2012 1:32:23 PM.

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

I pay my sitter $100 a day 8 to 3 pm. It works for us bc I have my parents or DH as a back up. I think it is the most cost effective option.

That being said I am probably going to send them out to somewhere either next Sept or middle of next year bc DD has issues with new people and I also want them to be exposed to other kids...hth

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

Thanks so much for sharing!

Ugh, lots to think about. It definitely won't be worth it for me to go back full time.

This is going to be tough!

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

I am a stay at home mom with my twin boys who are now 5 months.
The prices I was quoted were around $2500- month. I know it's crazy.

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

my twins will be in FT day care. It is in the 1600's for each child at a very nice high end facility.

They are open from 7-6 . I am not sure what hours we will use -probably 8-5. But the tuition covers the whole 7-6 if we wanted it.

im getting a discount on the second so it amounts to $3000 a month for both.


Yes its insane, yes its ridiculous, but DH and i evenly share the income of the household and even at 36k a year day care, it does not make sense, financially, for me to stop working.


pros to day care:

they never call in sick

they never take vacation aside from well planned closing dates (mine runs on a corporate schedule- some run on a school schedule which equals more days they are closed)


they are monitored by the state- so they are regulated

dependong on the one you chose, some offer a very enriching environment - aka mine will offer toddlers spanish lessons, cooking lessons, gardening, lots of outdoor play etc.



cons-

you have to get them dressed and ready

a nanny is more convenent since she comes to your home and all you have to do is go to work

a nanny usually will care for a sick child- a day care wont

nanny is usually cheaper than day care

Message edited 4/5/2012 11:05:48 AM.

Re: Cost of child care for twins?

WE pay $20 per hour, only 5 hours a day, and depending on the week 2 to 5 days per week. She also works some Sundays and comes to our house. She's worth evry $$. Also, two week paid vavction- $500 per week.