[michblows]

Looking for any help as far as "how much" it may cost for childcare? I have a Toddler and preschooler and plan on moving to the west-northwest area. Any help is welcome thanks!

[lvknight]

When my wife and I initially looked at daycare 5 years ago it ran anywhere from $120-$150 per week per child. The ones we liked that friends of ours used and we trusted were closer to the $150/week mark. The cost was about what my wife took home paywise so she quit working for a couple of years. When she went back to work I worked graveyard so our kids were never in daycare. Oh, the costs I'm giving you were based on two infants. Hope this helps.

[michblows]

Was that on full time basis? It does help thanks

[lvknight]

Yes, that was a full time basis. I can't remember if it included things like snacks, lunch, etc. We would have had to provide diapers and formula. We didn't get into much detail because once we saw the price it didn't make financial sense for us to use daycare. Between commuting costs and daycare, my wifes pay would have added about $50 month to our income. So since it was pretty much even money wise for her to work or stay home, she stayed home. To tell the truth, (well I guess I could lie), I can't even remember the name of the places we looked at. My kids were born in Dec. '01 and we had looked just before they were born. So I guess it's been more like 6 years instead of 5. Wow, time flys. Plus the ones we looked at were on the east side of town, so that wouldn't help you. Sorry I can't be of more help. If you have more questions feel free to ask. I'll help as much as I can, even if it is limited help.

[michblows]

Thanks a bunch! Everything is helpful to us newcomers.

[fllover]

Hey there!

My 4 year old attends La Petite Academy (there's one on Rainbow Blvd and Flamingo). The cost for Pre-K is $160 per week, registration is $60 but if you do the early bird registration it's $40. We just found out we're having another little one coming and the cost for the baby will be about $204 per week. La Petite provides food and snack. Parents provide diapers, wipes and formula for infants. Once they are in the toddler rooms all you would provide are the diapers and wipes as they provide food, beverages and snacks. Hope this helps!

[michblows]

LV Knight--Did you manage to support your family OK on one income?

Vegas Grl Thanks for the input that suggest to me to be quite a bit for 2 kids Thanks a bunch for the heads up!

[lvknight]

Originally Posted by michblows

LV Knight--Did you manage to support your family OK on one income?

Not really. My wife had to quit working and go on bedrest the last trimester. That was right after Sept. 11, 2001. I had been getting major overtime for years at work up untill that point. So our income went from $90k+/year to $42K/year. Plus we had a rental property and got royally screwed by the tenant. So we had lost over half our income and had two mortgages to pay and had massive damage to the rental house and two mouths to feed (we had twins) and..and..and. Well you get the point. Plus I made some bad decisions relating to those events. I tried do what I thought to be the right thing, and long story short we lost everything and went bankrupt. Yes we had some bad luck, but I take full responsibility for everything that happened. But even had my wife went back to work her income would have made no difference in our budget because it would have all went to childcare.

[michblows]

We are in the same boat! Looks like your on your way out now! Hopefully we can to the same.

[5kingsinvegas]

Childcare out here is more expensive than in Michigan. Also, you really need to be on top of things. My youngest went thru 3 places before we found one I felt good about leaving her with. Lots of people out here work opposite shifts to avoid the childcare issue. I do have the number for a wonderful mom who does childcare out of her home. PM me if you are interested. She is closer to downtown so I am not sure what your commute would be like but in my opinion she is worth it.