WWYD--a couple of options for daycare in the fall

DD is 11 months old, and these are our choices for day care for the fall, she'll be going part time, either 2 or 3 days a week

Which would you pick, and why? TIA!

#1--Daycare Center
-She's on a waitlist right now for it
-About 15mins away from our house, when DH picks her up from work, it would be almost 30mins (opposite from his work)
- For 3 days, its $180 per week
-They provide food
-We don't know anyone there (yet), but have been on a tour and liked it

#2 My friend offered to watch DD
-She has a 1yr old boy, they play now together at playdates
-We're good friends...I don't want it to mess up our friendship--would that even happen?
-She would charge $100 a week, whatever days
-She's on the way back from DH's work, so its convenient

#3
My current babysitter's sister is thinking about staying at home in the fall to watch kids...my DD would be the 3rd child there...their home is about 20-25mins away




Thanks for any help!

Re: WWYD--a couple of options for daycare in the fall

#1 for the socialization aspect.

Re: WWYD--a couple of options for daycare in the fall

Re: WWYD--a couple of options for daycare in the fall

#1. I think that relying on a friend is hard. What if her kid is sick? What if she is sick? What if something comes up? I don't like mixing business and pleasure personally.

Re: WWYD--a couple of options for daycare in the fall

Thanks...

I was worried about mixing business & pleasure...I think our friendship would become more "awkward" because it can cross over into the "business" aspect of it

The sick thing is a good point too

I'm gonna shoot for the daycare still then

thanks

Re: WWYD--a couple of options for daycare in the fall

I say 1 or 2. I will say that 1 day a week my friend watches DD (she has 2 kids, her daughter is 4 months older than DD and they've been good friends since babies), it's actually great for her to get to play with her little friends. We do pay my friend, and have never had a problem with the mixing business/pleasure. But we (my friend & I) are both vocal people and would have no problems voicing concerns.

Said friend is going to be watching our baby girl in the fall 1 day a week (older DD will be going to school).

ETA: It IS tricky when her kids are sick (happens fairly often), DH or I have to stay home....but thankfully our jobs are relatively flexible and allow a good amount of time off. It's frustrating, but it's not a deal-breaker for us.

Message edited 6/19/2010 8:58:46 PM.