My gosh the price od child care

I have not worked a real job in like 5 years. I have done the odd and ends jobs here and there but nothing major or long term. Well come August the kids go into all day school. And I was planning on going back to work then but I had a sitter and I was going to use her as babysitter for the summer. And she was cool with it until I talked to her today about me filling out apps today. Well now she has decided to and find a job as well so  there goes my sitter.

So I got to calling around and to find out the going rate for child care in a center. My gosh the prices. 225 a week for 3, 200 a week etc. At that rate I would be working solely to pay child care because places around here start you at min. wage 6.25 an hour. thats 250 a week before taxes.

So there went my idea of working this summer. Unless by some miracle a cheap sitter turns up.

 

I don't if you're opposed to this but you can get government funding for childcare if you make below a certain amount of money. One of my friends gets there and it helps her out a lot. She's making more than minimum wage but still can't afford the cost of childcare.

We found our sitter off of craigslist.  

The lady runs an in-home daycare and had excellent references. 

She also charges $60 a week.

Sit down and figure out how much it will cost you to work vs. staying at home.

child care/gas/guilt gifts/take-out food because you are too tired to cook/work clothes/

Maybe take in a couple of children for the summer vacation and make some extra money that way.

Original Post by alibuch:

I don't if you're opposed to this but you can get government funding for childcare if you make below a certain amount of money. One of my friends gets there and it helps her out a lot. She's making more than minimum wage but still can't afford the cost of childcare.

Already thought of that but I have to be working first to get that. Which I may still do if I can get a reasonable rate for child care that won't leave me broke every week.

DeathRocket: I have an ad out right now looking for a reasonable rate of private child care.

spoiled_Candy: gas won't be to bad because most businesses are close to me child care will be the biggest expense. Take Out won't happen because I can't stand take out food. And no I can't take in kids and watch them for extra money I don't have the nerves for that.

If all else fails I will just want till August and the most the kids will be in childcare is part time (IE a few hours after school).

Well after a few calls I might just be waiting till August to go back to work unless a sitter turns up with a rate I can afford. The best center price I could get is 200 a week for 3 kids full time. But if I wait till August and do after school it is 100 a week. So thats that.

$200 for three kids is a steal!! I paid close to that for one

I agree that 200$ for three kids is indeed a steal. The usual rate is 200$ for one. What you are describing is pretty much what deathrocket described (presumably deathrocket was paying 60 a week per kid).

Here in Quebec, day care is highly subsidized by the government - it costs parents 7$ a day per child. (I'm also paying 30-50% as much tuition as other Canadians, and about a 10-25% as much tuition of Americans.) And minimum wage is 8.50$. And people get a year off, paid, with each child.

God bless socialist Quebec. (I say that a lot).

Keep in mind, though, that even if your wages go to pay for daycare at first, it doesn't take very long to get promoted or for your wages to go up when you start a minimum-wage job (fake enthusiasm, show up on time, have a pulse - you know, the things that get you promoted - and I say this having worked many years at minimum wage). So when the kids go back to school, not only will your job start "turning a profit" due to the lower daycare costs, but you will be that much closer to increasing your income.

Already thought of that but I have to be working first to get that.

Not necessarily. My friend started using that service when she was in university (she got pregnant 3 semesters before graduating) so she could finish school. She didn't have a job and was married at the time...

Original Post by spirochete:

$200 for three kids is a steal!! I paid close to that for one

 I asbolutely agree!  Summer day camp for my son (one child) is $175 week.  I can't imagine what I would pay for 3! 

 

Original Post by trustwomen:

I agree that 200$ for three kids is indeed a steal.  

I'll third this - we didn't have our boys in daycare full time (they only went about 3 days a week), but if we had it would have been about $450 a week for 2 kids even with a "multiple child discount."

Have you considered working from home?  I know, I know - but there are a lot of opportunities out there that aren't scams, selling Avon, or hosting Pampered Chef (or similar) parties. 

good ideas from santonacci (no surprise) - and there is also the option of pursuing education next fall, to earn more than minimum wage in the future! Financial aid can definitely help for that.

Original Post by alibuch:

Already thought of that but I have to be working first to get that.

Not necessarily. My friend started using that service when she was in university (she got pregnant 3 semesters before graduating) so she could finish school. She didn't have a job and was married at the time...

Maybe so but here you have to already actively be working or going to a university (and currently I am neither) to get that. And it takes 1-2 months to get approved for the help so for 1-2 months I will only get 50 or less take home per week after taxes and daycare.

And I am sure this is a steal for most people but here where we live you are lucky to make 8-9 an hour. At 8 an hour after daycare (before taxes) you would be bringing home 120 a week or for 9 an hour 160 a week before taxes.

Like I said I will wait for August and it will be cheaper for me and the kids would be in childcare less hours per week.

Original Post by santonacci:

Original Post by trustwomen:

I agree that 200$ for three kids is indeed a steal.

I'll third this - we didn't have our boys in daycare full time (they only went about 3 days a week), but if we had it would have been about $450 a week for 2 kids even with a "multiple child discount."

Have you considered working from home? I know, I know - but there are a lot of opportunities out there that aren't scams, selling Avon, or hosting Pampered Chef (or similar) parties.

In our small area we have to many Avon reps as is. There are 15 reps for this small area and one lives 1 mile up the road. Plus way back when I sold Avon and it is not a job for me.

Original Post by spirochete:

$200 for three kids is a steal!! I paid close to that for one

I completely agree. 

I also agree with the idea to maybe take in a couple kids to watch over the summer to supplement an income.

Or do you have family or friends that could watch the kids on the weekend or nights?  You might be able to find a job that offsets their hours and they more than likely won't charge as much to watch them. 

Edit:  Have you considered working for a daycare.  Many will give 50% discounts and such for their employees.

Original Post by trustwomen:

good ideas from santonacci (no surprise) -  

I don't mean to sidetrack the thread - but I really appreciate the comment, trustwomen! 

Original Post by momto2siameses:

 Plus way back when I sold Avon and it is not a job for me.

 Well, like I said, there are plenty of opportunities that don't involve being an Avon rep.  A quick search will yield several search and referral services:

http://www.homeworkers.org/

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/workfromhome/a/ workathomejobs.htm

Good luck!

Original Post by undertherainbow:

Original Post by spirochete:

$200 for three kids is a steal!! I paid close to that for one

Edit: Have you considered working for a daycare. Many will give 50% discounts and such for their employees.

Ummm no that just would not end well. I love my kids but I do not  have the nerves to deal with a bunch of other people's kids.

What about hiring a high school student to watch your kids? 

I know this is a huge derail, but this thread makes me sad. Unfortunately when women take time off for families (and it's almost always women) they are faced with wages so low that this becomes a huge issue when they want to return to work.

A lot more companies are offering positions where call center employees can work virtually, which makes more economic sense for them. I don't know why more companies don't do this. At one point I had some links for some companies that do this; I'll try to find it. The pay is pretty bad, but it's still a lot better than $8/hour!

Uhm, not to be mean, but if you're going to shoot down every idea brought up, why ask? Excuses are easy to find/make. If you want to get out and work, you'll find a way to make it happen.

Again, not trying to be mean, just realistic.