Info on day care in NYC (neighborhood, income, income tax)

[Gmovingtonyc]

Hello! It is very likely we'll be moving to NYC from the UK in the next month or so. We have an 8 month old little boy and was wondering what the average cost of day care was in NYC. In the UK, it's on average $60/day. Does it really vary depending on where you live?
The answers will help me determine whether it will actually be worth me going back to work or not and help out with our budgets

Also, how does maternity leave work in the US (just out of interest!)? How many weeks do you get off (paid/unpaid?)? I understand it's not much compared to what we're entitled to in Europe.

THanks in advance for your help

[snifferer]

i've seen daycare range from $1300/month to $2200 month depending on the neighborhood. My wife works at American Express and gets 3 months paid maternity leave. From what I hear, thats one of the better policies.

[TurtleCreek80]

6 weeks is all that a woman is legally entitled. 8 weeks with a C-section. Most corporations will allow 3 months max with a combo of paid (at a reduced rate) and unpaid leave. 12 weeks entirely paid IS hitting the jackpot!

[Veve0308]

I had my twins and was back to work in 8 weeks, had all kinds of complications through my pregnancy and yet still had to start at 8 weeks. Child care varies greatly depending on where you live. I am paying 1600 for two right now but that is because I got a discount and the area I live has child care every corner so I was able to negotiate if not I would've ended up paying $2400. You'll definitely need to go back to work. NYC income tax is crazy, two income is a must here so prepare to work.

[Gmovingtonyc]

THank you all for your replies. The cost is therefore very similar to day care in the uk but as you can imagine, maternity leave is totally different (and not in a good way!). We're entitled to 52 weeks off here in the uk, 6 weeks fully paid and then $600 a month until the baby is 9 months old. And it's nowhere near the best policy in Europe! NYC income tax isn't that crazy compared to what we pay in Europe by the way! I will go back to work, but not until my baby is at least a year old and I plan on going back part time. I think we'll wait a few years to have another baby