Help,Child care in Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Coolidge Corner? (Cambridge: mortgage, relocate)

[afewyearsinboston]

Does anyone have any recommendations for full time m-f child care facilities in the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, or Coolidge Corner areas?

Hiring a nanny is not in our budget unless we were lucky enough to find a neighbor willing to share (has anyone done this?).

These areas are on my short list of places to relocate to (from CA) & will likely be purchasing a condo but finding good child care is a major factor in deciding where to live. We want to be within walking distance. Our child will be around 17-18 months when we move next Apr/May.

[HowGoesIt]

So let me get this right. You want to buy in Beacon Hill or Back Bay, but can't budget in a nanny? Maybe you should factor in child care (it is your child BTW) before you look to buy in the most expensive neighborhood in the city. Priorities....

[afewyearsinboston]

Originally Posted by HowGoesIt

So let me get this right. You want to buy in Beacon Hill or Back Bay, but can't budget in a nanny? Maybe you should factor in child care (it is your child BTW) before you look to buy in the most expensive neighborhood in the city. Priorities....

So let me get this right. You come on here with you're judgmental attitude offering absolutely no value to my thread?.

You know, funny enough I thought someone might say something like this although I don't remember asking for any advice on my personal finances so why don't you mind you're own business. We can afford to buy in those areas with 50%+ down but want to keep living expenses low, do you have any idea what a quality nanny costs? Probably not.

If anyone has any HELPFUL information to share unlike the above poster, please help.

[lollicakes]

We lived in Bay Village (btwn Back Bay and the South End) and now live in Cambridge. I've had a part-time nanny (about 20± hours per week) for my two children for the last three years and I pay $15/hour (cash, no benefits, 1 week paid vaca, 1 week paid sick) . She picks the kids up from school, does various activities with them, and helps with light housekeeping. On Beacon Hill you will likely pay more than that -- I think the range is between $25-$15 per hour -- it depends on what your hours and expectations are (beyond the obvious safety and entertainment of your children).

It can be harder to find someone good and reliable part time than it is to find someone who wants full time work. My experience with students is varied, again it depends on your needs...

That said, child care is our second largest monthly expense (first is mortgage, third is food). Good luck!

[septimus]

I looked at the Mulberry in Brookline and it was my first choice for centers, but it was expensive ($400/wk) and that was almost 3 years ago. We ended up using a home daycare in Cambridge that was cheaper ($300/wk for infant). You can also look at Bright Horizons. I think there is one in the Pru. Depending on how old your child is there are more options the older they are such as montessori schools.

[afewyearsinboston]

That seems very reasonable. Yeah I won't be surprised if the cost is higher in back bay/beacon hill - I saw some other sites that gave some pretty pricey ranges of 25-35+/hour but that was through an agency. We found a few nice looking private/montessori type school programs for 2+ year olds but they are only half day. So something like a part time nanny+part time school may work out great.

Thank you for the information. Did you go through an agency for the nanny or word of mouth?

Originally Posted by lollicakes

We lived in Bay Village (btwn Back Bay and the South End) and now live in Cambridge. I've had a part-time nanny (about 20± hours per week) for my two children for the last three years and I pay $15/hour (cash, no benefits, 1 week paid vaca, 1 week paid sick) . She picks the kids up from school, does various activities with them, and helps with light housekeeping. On Beacon Hill you will likely pay more than that -- I think the range is between $25-$15 per hour -- it depends on what your hours and expectations are (beyond the obvious safety and entertainment of your children).

It can be harder to find someone good and reliable part time than it is to find someone who wants full time work. My experience with students is varied, again it depends on your needs...

That said, child care is our second largest monthly expense (first is mortgage, third is food). Good luck!

[afewyearsinboston]

Thanks for the help. I think the montessori options (for 2+ year olds) look great, and Brookline seems to have a few more choices than back bay/beacon hill so we will strongly consider that area as well.

Originally Posted by septimus

I looked at the Mulberry in Brookline and it was my first choice for centers, but it was expensive ($400/wk) and that was almost 3 years ago. We ended up using a home daycare in Cambridge that was cheaper ($300/wk for infant). You can also look at Bright Horizons. I think there is one in the Pru. Depending on how old your child is there are more options the older they are such as montessori schools.

[crazyworld]

I am totally amazed at what people are paying for daycare. I am a licensed provider and I don't charge those fees. I also do not charge different fees for infants or toddlers. I live in the wrong area I think.