Anyone willing to reveal how much they pay for daycare? (Raleigh: chapel, day care)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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I searched around for specific daycare info, but couldn't find anything other than generalities.
Is anyone currently using any of the five-star (or other) daycare facilities in Wake County (Cary or Apex or N. Raleigh or Wake Forest, specifically) for their infant and/or toddler (we've got a seven-month-old and a nearly three-year-old)?
If so, how much are you paying? (And is that for full-day, five days a week; otherwise, how often are your kid(s) there?)
All I've found on the board are some round numbers: $900 a month here, $1,000 a month there; none of the daycare websites list speciifc fees. (I'm sure they'd like you to come in and tour the place and fall in love before getting the hard numbers.)
I'm curious to know whether the prices are more or less the same (and if so, if $1,000/month per kid seems to be the average) or if there are wide differences between low and high.
$1000/month for our 20 month old son full-time. We take him to a place down near the Ethan Allen furniture store in Cary. Can't recall the name, but it's 2 words and the second word is "Treasures". It's a small daycare with about 5-6 kids per age-group. Not sure of the ranking. My wife did the research and picked it out.
The fees vary based on the age of the child - the younger they are, the more it costs. It can also vary if the facility provides 1/2 day care or full day care; some facilities only provide full day care.
Our son has just turned 2 years old. At Primrose, the price for the "young todders", as they call them, is $1252 a month. When we were shopping daycares, we also looked at Goddard. They were around $1200 a month, but did not provide a lunch (you had to pack one yourself). Both Primrose and Goddard are 5* facilities. We also looked at KinderCare, a 4* facility, which ran somewhere in the low $1100's.
I pay $884 per month for full-time care in the infant room at a 4 star center. (In Durham though) When I was shopping around, this was typical for a price. The most expensive one I looked at (a 5 star) was $1073 per month and had a year waiting list. The least expensive one I looked at (a 4 star) was $630 per month, but I've heard some negative things about that one recently. I just called up the ones on my list and asked what their rates were.
Our daycare in Chapel Hill is 1200 a month for our toddler. They are unusual in that they set your fee based on your income, I believe the range is 800-1200. Chapel Hill is the most expensive in the triangle, other daycares are 1100-1400/month. Our friends in Durham pay 800-1000 for similar quality.
Went by Little Pros Academy in Cary this morning. They quoted close to $1200 per month for an infant. Very nice place, but pricey. My 9-year old son went to Kids R Kids in Cary for several years and we were very happy with that experience. I left a message with the owners this morning to see what they charge for infants.
I looked at over 12 facilities when searching for daycare for my son in 2005. Prices ranged from $900 to $1275-ish (for an infant, with rates decreasing for toddlers and older children). There ARE wide differences. In my experience, Primrose schools were the most expensive. I currently pay $805/month (in Durham) for my 2-year old.
Just a quick note about the star system--not sure what your thoughts are about that, but just wanted to add that I wouldn't personally get too hung up on it. I visited 5-star facilities that I would NEVER send my son to. The first daycare (small, 15 kids) that we went to was actually a 4-star, but ONLY because the proprietor did not have a college degree. To me, having a degree isn't really all that important so long as you can provide quality, competent, loving care for my child. KWIM? The facility we're at now (large center) is also a 4-star, but I'm absolutely in love with it. I don't know what's keeping them from being a 5, but frankly I don't care. I know you didn't ask about this and it's entirely possible you're considering multiple star ratings, but just had to throw in my $1.50
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