Child care costs

I was just wondering what those of us with kids spend in child care cost. Or if you do child care what do you charge?

In Toronto it is pretty expensive, especially if you earn too much to get a subsidy. 2 years ago, when the boys were both in a registered home day care all day I spent $17,500. Last year, Kev was in school so only had 1/2 day day care during the school year and full day care during the summer. D joined him at that day care in August. So last year was a bit cheaper at close to $16,000.

I calculate that this year will be about $14,000...maybe a little less as in September Kev will be in grade one and will only need day care before and after school.

It's REALLY cheap around here.

I babysit during the week and one little girl I babysit from 8:30-2:30 and I charge $20.00.

The 2 little boys who are brothers I babysit from Mon, Thurs from 8-5:30 and on Tuesday I only have 1 of them....I charge $130.00 for the 4 days.

Of course this is under the table so they can't claim it and I provide meals.

Can you move to Toronto so I can hire you....please!

Just one of the MANY reasons I'm sticking to cats.

Originally Posted by Momto3boys

It's REALLY cheap around here.

I babysit during the week and one little girl I babysit from 8:30-2:30 and I charge $20.00.

The 2 little boys who are brothers I babysit from Mon, Thurs from 8-5:30 and on Tuesday I only have 1 of them....I charge $130.00 for the 4 days.

Of course this is under the table so they can't claim it and I provide meals.

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All I can say is- wow- that's cheap.

I never had to do childcare. But I have friends who had children in daycare here in the US and it was WAY more a week/month. Summer camp alone for one of my friends (who has her kids in a national daycare chain) is $150/week for full time school aged child care. And she's got 2 of them there, though her oldest is in 5th grade this year and may not be in it next year in middle school.

I think the "Y" afterschool care at the local schools is $75/week, and that's from dismissal to 6.

Babies are a lot more. So are toddlers. Maybe $200/week? I don't know, I think that's what my sister paid when her kids were in a local daycare chain for a while...........

Cheyrl

Originally Posted by Sneakymom

All I can say is- wow- that's cheap.

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Yeah, it's not that expensive to live here in WV. I operated a childcare business for 15 years - ended it in December. I was charging $20/day per child. It was not under the table, I paid taxes on it. I will say being able to write off so much from the home on taxes really helped our tax refunds. And the parents were always very happy to be able to claim expenses, as well.

I think I was charging a little toward the low end for the area, though.

Oh man, I didn't even think to calculate it by the year!!! When I go back to work, we get to start shelling out $205/week for daycare costs. For 52 weeks, that's $10,660!!!

If it were more than a 1/3 of my salary, I'd stay home, but alas, I make enough to justify the cost. :/

And that was one of the reasons that I didn't work.

Everything I'd make would go to daycare and IMHO that's just silly.

Only problem is- it's coming back to bite me in the butt b/c I'm having one heck of a time trying to find employment now- AND trying to explain just why I have such a huge gap on my resume

Sorry- a bit off topic- but this is something near and dear to me.......

Cheryl

Daycares around here run anywhere from $500-800 a month, its insane. I know when I babysit I charge $10 for the first kid and $2 for each additional kid, and I'm "cheap" many people charge $15 for the first and $5 per additional child..... im very greatful my inlaws are so close by and that my neighbor loves lexi!

Originally Posted by Sneakymom

And that was one of the reasons that I didn't work.

Everything I'd make would go to daycare and IMHO that's just silly.

Only problem is- it's coming back to bite me in the butt b/c I'm having one heck of a time trying to find employment now- AND trying to explain just why I have such a huge gap on my resume

Sorry- a bit off topic- but this is something near and dear to me.......

Cheryl

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We did the math to see if we could live on just DH's income, and we COULD, but we would have to stop contributing to our retirement.

IMO, I would probably get frustrated being a SAHM, just based on my personality. I would probably become depressed easily and bored. I do much better when working, and contributing to our household income.

Was I willing to try it if we could swing it? DEFINITELY!!!! But it just didn't make financial sense.

In the meantime, we did tour a couple of daycare facilities and talked to several people that I work with and we fell in love with one. I'll feel comfortable, even if sad, to leave Amber with them. They encourage parents to stop by, even work with nursing mothers if they want to come in and nurse, or just bring in prepared bottles.

I know one of the good daycare centres around here charges $2,100/month for a toddler, and I think other places charge around $1,500/month.

That's why I'm a stay at home mum (well that, and I don't have a work visa, I'm studying, and I just love being a SAHM... )

One of DH's co-workers mentioned paying $200/week for his baby. Having our little one in daycare here would be like 2/3 of my paycheck. It's cheaper to say home!! I had a friend in the area who had 3 little ones...they litterally couldn't afford for her to work. Her husband's job was the kind where he worked long, irregular hours so they couldn't work a job for her around that. It's crazy! But I wanted to stay home anyway!

It costs about 200-250 week here. I paid 243 when DS went fulltime and now that he is 3 days week it is 177/week. The price lowers slightly when he turns 3.

Here is Ottawa it is about $50 per day per kid.

We are thinking of moving to Quebec where it is $7 a day

I pay about $150 every two weeks. Landon goes to an in-home daycare and loves it! She is a licensed provider and he gets 2 full meals and 2 snacks. I can't imagine paying $200+ per week!!

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

Here is Ottawa it is about $50 per day per kid.

We are thinking of moving to Quebec where it is $7 a day

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$7 per DAY!? Oh my gosh, that's crazy cheap! Is that a daycare center or in-home? I'd love that... but how do they make any money, I wonder charging $1 per hour (based on a 7 hr work day)?

Quebec is odd with child care, my sister lives there. Her kids are now 13 and 16 so they don't need it. I believe a lot of it is subsidized by the Quebec government.

Wow, I know my area is expensive, but I can't believe how cheap everyone else's daycare is! Even a babysitter here is $17/hour+