Tah-wee-ZAH
Kisses
Member since 5/05 15952 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Day Care Costs?
Nannies for twins are always more cost effective.
I was home with my kids until they were 18 months old but back in 07 the major chains wanted $1300-1400 a month for an infant... 10% discount for the older child. The family discount is always for the older child because the older the child the tuition declines. Keep in mind, most large chains include the hours of 8-4. Before that and after is more $$$. Personally, I don't know anyone who can drop off at or after 8 and pick up before 4, unless one parent is a teacher.
From 18-27 months my kids were at an employee based center. For two infants at that center, at that time it was about $2K. When my kids were in the toddler room I was paying a little under $2k. The included hours were 7am-6pm. The same hours at one of the major centers would have costs me $2700 a month plus if I needed the extended hours. So $32,400 a year.
For those reasons most moms of multiples either leave the workforce temporarily, but keep in mind you do pay for that in the long run, it's not just lost wages, but lost raises, experience, and compounding interest on your retirement contributions. A loss of one year's not contributing to your retirement in your 20's and early 30's will mean you have to work an average of 5 additional years to retire with the same savings.
Also, keep in mind the morning routine with two infants added to the mix. Every working mom of twins (under age 2) I know (a few attorneys and a vet), has a nanny that works from 7-7 so that they can get out the door and have enough time to make it back home. Keep in mind the nanny is also taking care of several chores that a mom of a child in daycare would have to do herself or hire additional help to get done... laundry, light cleaning, food prep for babies.
Of course, the downside is someone in your home... whose watching the nanny and do you have backup childcare if the nanny is sick or quits suddenly. The downside of a center is the expense, getting them out of the house and racing back to pick them up but also back up child care for when they are sick as you can't bring them into the center.
Sorry, so long but just wanted to point out several of the pros and cons many do not consider.
Oh, and if you do go the daycare route you need to get on a waiting list EARLY in your pregnancy. I waited 11 months to get my kids in. With ratios being 3:1 in the infant room it's very rare that two spots open at the same time.
Good luck
|
