So you just give birth and already your Mommy friends are asking if you've researched daycares yet. Um, pardon? Already?! "Oh yes!", they reply. "There is at least a 2 year waiting list". Not only do you have the stress of being a new Mom, you have to worry about daycare now! Yikes.
Okay so that scenario is a bit far fetched. Unless you live in a remote area, Whistler or maybe downtown Vancouver, I am not aware of any daycare crisis which warrants such panic. I live in North Burnaby, an older neighbourhood but very nice established area that has an elementary school on the next block and many parks surrounding us. I honestly didn't start researching daycares until Mason was 6 months old.
I started by visiting the CCRR BC (Child Care Resource and Referral) website. There is a search option to type in your city location and it will provide you with the corresponding referral service for your area.
Being in Burnaby, I was referred to the YMCA Child Care Resource & Referral service which is sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) is a community-based program serving Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
I was asked to fill out a form which outlined my requirements for daycare. I received a response within a few days via email. In the email were three (3) documents. The first was the Parent Pack File, parents guide to selecting child care, and my custom daycare list.
The list I received contained ten (10) care providers in my area. The majority of them did not have websites which was disappointing as I wanted to see pictures of their facilities. I chose 3 or 4 of the 'best' listings based on capacity, location and ages served. Two of the four did not return my call and I was left with two. One was a day 'home' which was licensed and the other a day care which did have a website and seemed to be very well run.
Clayton and I visited the dayhome with our checklist in hand. Overall we were pleased with the demeanor of the main caregiver and the cleanliness of the day home. They only accept 8 kids; a 1:4 ratio of teachers to children. It was a 'home' feeling, however there wasn't a lot of room. It was the lower half of a home and only one side was used. However they had a huge fenced backyard that was maintained well with ample toys. Her fee is $975.00 / month full time.
The second option we had was the daycare also in the same neighbourhood. I was placed on a waiting list and was told to call back every few months to inform them I was still in need of a space for the next year. Their fee is $1200.00 / month.
After much discussion we chose the day home, however we are still on the waiting list for the second until the contract is signed with our first pick. After viewing the facility, you are provided with 3-4 references and a contract package which should contain; a Parent Info and registration booklet, a registration form (parent info and waivers etc) and the contract.
Here are some things you need to know about choosing care for your child and info about daycares (in general):
- Does the provider have waivers regarding the following? - applying sunscreen, alternate/substitute caregivers* and consent to photograph child and consent to take child out of facility (field trips etc)
- Some providers may charge a fee for late pick-up
- Providers may require a deposit (which is not refundable in event of cancellation but will be deducted from last months fee)
- The Ministry of Children, Family and Development (MCFD) will subsidize daycare fees for those who are eligible. Information is here.
- Daycares require a transition period before you return to work full time. Usually 4-5 days of gradual care [Day 1 – 1 hr, Day 2 – 3 hrs, Day 3 – 5.5hrs, Day 4&5 – 7hrs]. I am not sure of the cost for this period but doing the math based on $950/month fee would work out to be roughly $100 for the 5 days
- Ask what days the facility will take off as vacation to ensure you have the same time off from work or can make alternate arrangements for care
- Daycares usually request an extra set of indoor/outdoor clothes in case of soiling or playing in the dirt
- Cost of care is not reduced in the case of sickness or holidays
- Ask what the facility policy is on illness and when a child should stay at home
- Most daycares request that the childs immunizations are up to date and require Doctors written proof
- Ask what the probationary period entails and what the new notice is required if the child is unhappy with the centre
- Ask what the drop in/off routine entails
- Ask what payments they accept (most are post dated cheques)
- Ask what their failure to pick up procedure is
- Most facilities will not provide diapers, food or blankets. This is the responsibility of the parent (the list includes a a drink, sandwich or hot lunch, fruit & veggies. [ask policy on pop, candy or nuts] fitted crib sheet/small blanket, non slip slippers, Muddy buddy Rain Suit or puddle pants, boots, hats, gloves (winter), toothbrush, swim suit, towel, sunscreen and diapers
This is a condensed list, I encourage all parents to do as much research as they can before selecting a child care provider for their little one(s). Use the Internet as a research, speak with other parents, read read read! The more informed you are, the better experience your child will have. It is best to have a back up facility (or two) in the event that the care place you select does not work out. It is stressful enough leaving your child with someone else initially, but scrambling to find a new daycare last minute will be a pain as well.
Which brings me to the subject of who will care for your child, Clayton and I decided that a care home would be best for our Son however if we had the choice, he would be in the care of family or a trusted friend. Unfortunately we do not have that option here in Burnaby. We also looked at hiring a live out Nanny which would be just as much money but did not seem to be a good option as we have such a small space and I would want to work out of my home. I did not research the other options in detail however here are a few figures for you to consider:
Day Home: $900-1000 per month
Daycare: $1000 - 1200 per month
Live-in caregivers generally paid $845 Net/Month ($1083 before taxes)
A Live-out nanny will ask for $15 per hour and up.
The agency placement fee for a Live-out Caregiver is $ 895 (plus GST) for full time placement, $645 for part time placement (less than 25 hrs/wk).
I hope this information was helpful to you, please let me know if you have any information to add or if this blog entry shows inaccurate information. As explained on my Baby Planning page, the information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Internet research I have done and while I try to keep the information up to date and correct, I make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will I be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of me. I have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them..