https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:16:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2339061 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:03:02 +0000 teawithpaloma 2339061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms maths: I am a doctoral student but I also work full time. I was looking into the child care at school it won't work (if at al all) until I am at the dissertation stage because my classes are at night. It would also require commuting with the LO into the city which isn't my idea of sustainable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2339045 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:51:27 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2339045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: gah! Yes! That makes it so much worse :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2339040 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:47:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2339040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: And even worse when your pay is flat and benefits are getting cut. That makes it really hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338992 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:27:25 +0000 Ms maths 2338992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our daycare went up over $100 per month per child this year. According to the director, the extra money went entirely to teachers' salaries. </p> <p> I think our current costs are ~$2500 a month now, for one infant (3 days a week 8:30-3:30) and one toddler (5 days a week 8:30-3:30). We are professors, so we can make it work to send our kids part-time (although it means working a lot in the evenings and weekends); otherwise, we couldn't afford it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338798 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:59:21 +0000 PurplePeony 2338798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours went up a LOT recently, too, but they've been very upfront about why. Basically, the lease was up and the new rent is WAY more than it used to be -- they will be moving at some point but this location is so good and the permitting process/build out for a new space is so bound up in red tape, they're trying to make it work for as long as possible. At the same time, a subsidy they used to get expired and was no longer available to renew. There was always a price increase in the fall for the new school year, but this one *really* hurt. The center we use is part of a nonprofit consortium so there are no big profits, and even at the increased rate it's one of the cheapest in this area, but still...it's so, so hard on the budget. But the only way they could make it cheaper is to cut teacher salaries and I definitely don't want that. The director even said (in a nutshell) "The teacher pay isn't great but it's better than any of our competitors, and we offer benefits, too. We want to minimize turnover and have happy employees caring for your kids. We know this is hard on everyone, but that's how we do business, and if you disagree, we understand you going elsewhere." I respect that so we're sucking it up -- not that there are really any better options even if we wanted to go elsewhere.</p> <p>ETA @Truth Bombs: if the center has a long-term lease, it's likely there are rent increases structured into it. So even if the consumer price index and overall inflation are low/flat, the center is likely paying more in rent per the terms of the lease. If the center offers health benefits to its employees, that's another cost that increases each year. I'm sure most for-profit centers have profit margins built in, but they're probably not pocketing the whole increase. I agree that it's hard-to-impossible to really shop around for a good daycare in most places, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338789 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:55:11 +0000 californiadreams 2338789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: it's crazy how much the cost varies in the GTA! i pay under $1000/month for preschool where I am now. And the most i ever paid for daycare in my old neighbourhood was $55/day (roughly $1200/month). Literally half the cost of a nanny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338777 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:50:35 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2338777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: Not necessarily. One of the previous posters mentioned that many people at that center pull their kids out in favor of a nanny. Many have also mentioned that they keep their kids there because of convenience, or because paying for the better quality school is worth it to them. I thought we were talking about schools at the high end of the cost range, but I might have misunderstood. I was assuming that less expensive options would be available (though all childcare is still pretty expensive). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338772 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:47:38 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2338772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I totally get it. It is really hard to pay the rising rates when your own pay is flat. My entire teaching career our pay rate was frozen. I had teacher friends who had their kids in expensive centers like this, and I think they literally just worked for the retirement and because they loved it. They couldn't have been bringing home anything at all. It makes it really hard to be a teacher here... daycare costs are high because the median income is MUCH higher than the average teaching salary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338766 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:45:26 +0000 Truth Bombs 2338766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: I think the fact that basically everyone on this thread has said they have had annual tuition increases over the last couple years despite inflation being basically flat proves that the consumers probably don't have a choice to find a provider who is more cost effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338759 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:43:04 +0000 Smurfette 2338759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: I get that. But when you don't get a raise it just sucks. I mean $1643 a month is ridiculous but we pay it for a quality school. I will be glad when it goes down in August since she will be in the pre-school program. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338758 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:42:43 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2338758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: wow, that is steep! BH is possibly the center with the highest rates in our area too. We are sending LO to Bright Horizons for 2 mornings a week...but there is no way we could afford full time if I was teaching. The rate for two kids is about 1/3 more than what I would bring home in salary. We would have to choose somewhere else. I am curious how that rate compares to the median household income of the same area though...our Bright Horizons rates are less than half that here in NC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase/page/2#post-2338750 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:39:10 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2338750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: </p> <p>I guess my point was just that, just like any business, sometimes prices have to be raised for a variety of reasons. If a customer is concerned about it, a good director should be happy to explain the increase, just like any good business manager would be able to explain a price increase to a consumer. Consumers who don't feel the increase is justified, which is a totally valid opinion, can find someone/somewhere else to meet their need instead. It sounds like you got an answer from the director... most childcare centers aren't operating as non-profits, so yes a small amount of the money probably does go to the owner as profit. As it would with any business. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338735 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:33:09 +0000 Truth Bombs 2338735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: $3500 a MONTH? For one?! Thank you, I shall use this as ammo next time my MIL tries to guilt me into moving back to MA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338725 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:29:50 +0000 teawithpaloma 2338725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Average asking price for a home in $1.4 million in our town. :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338724 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:29:43 +0000 Smurfette 2338724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: @Mrs. Lion: I didn't get a raise this year. Even when I do it is never more then 3%. But day care went up 5% and I know for a fact that the teacher's raises weren't that high.<br /> @teawithpaloma: Our director said the 5% covered: teacher raises, rent increase, utilities, and increase in food costs. But I know part of it is just going into the owner's pocket. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338675 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:06:56 +0000 looch 2338675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: Yeah, that kind of explains it then. I feel like logic is thrown out the window in this part of the country because there are a lot of people for whom money is no object. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338620 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:48:04 +0000 catlady 2338620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: Yes, MA! So crazy expensive here. Our daycare is reasonably priced for the area, too. All the Bright Horizons around here are currently charging close to $3500 per month for an infant. That is just mind blowing to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338595 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:39:15 +0000 teawithpaloma 2338595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: Ah MA? The other highly regulated, expensive daycare state. It's kind of nice to hear I am not alone at least. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338533 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:20:44 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2338533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ouch! That's a lot. We live in a high cost of living area but found a gem of a preschool for a decent price. (We pay about $500 for mwf mornings preschool... I think ft is about 1100.) I have no idea what kind of increase we will see next year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338486 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:09:48 +0000 catlady 2338486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally hear you on this. We live in an expensive area as well and when LO started daycare as an infant, it was already about $2100 per month. In the 20 months since, they've increased tuition twice across all age brackets by about 10% each time. Luckily, our rates have still gone down a little as she's moved into the older rooms, plus they have let current families keep the old rates for an extra 6 months after each increase.</p> <p>In terms of having two in daycare, all the families here that have had two under age 2.9 (the preschool age) have left and gotten nannies. Since our LO is already two now, we will at worst have an infant and a preschooler, plus a small sibling discount, so we will be able to handle it, but it will be tough for a couple years. Basically having two in daycare for us means not being able to move to a bigger house for another few years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338467 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:03:44 +0000 teawithpaloma 2338467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I was thinking that! They are in this building that used to be a CVS so it is a huge cost for them alone. Again, I am paying for convenience for this location. It is on the way to the metro north station (walking distance) so lots of families use this daycare and then park their cars or walk to the train. It assumes most of us are earning NYC-salaries which I am sure is not the case for every family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338463 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:02:53 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2338463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: I would be sketched out if a director was put off by your asking (assuming you aren't accusing or what not, but I dont think that was your intention). A good director should be happy to discuss it with you. She is running a business, and as a paying customer you have the right to understand what you are paying for :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338461 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:01:53 +0000 teawithpaloma 2338461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I honestly think the costs for daycare where we live centers is from 1800-2500. I think in home daycare is from 1400-1800. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338456 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:01:20 +0000 looch 2338456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: I wonder if the rent increased? That seems to be what's driving a lot of it in this area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338455 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:00:42 +0000 teawithpaloma 2338455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: Yeah, it's generally about understanding where it is going so I feel better about the monthly costs. When we signed for this new center we assumed more expensive costs so this increase is just something we should have anticipated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338443 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:59:00 +0000 teawithpaloma 2338443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a 10% discount for siblings. </p> <p>These are the new prices at our center:</p> <p>Infant $2100<br /> Toddlers $1950<br /> Preschool $1775</p> <p> :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338439 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:57:52 +0000 Mamaof2 2338439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: $150 a month is a huge jump! Did you ask why?<br /> Ours is usually about a $50 increase </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338431 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:56:49 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2338431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@teawithpaloma: Interesting. That does seem high, but like you said, you live in a high cost of living area. I am sure if you were kind and curious about the way you asked, the director would be happy to explain the increase to you. Maybe not all of the specifics, but if they are raising it that much they must have a reason. They may have hired more highly qualified staff (which costs more) or they could be pursuing a higher rating (higher cost of materials), or they could be upgrading the playgrounds etc. There are a lot of possible very reasonable reasons...then with the info you could decide if the reasons for the increase are worth your extra dollars....if not I am sure you could find another center that fits your budget better. You would have to do the same with any service you pay for...it just seems super exaggerated because of the big numbers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338423 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:55:00 +0000 erinbaderin 2338423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, that is a) a LOT and b) a big jump! We're facing the same worry of having two in daycare at a time and paying more for daycare than mortgage, but I'm blown away by how high your daycare costs are. I don't have any advice but that sucks and I'm sorry! Hopefully there are discounts for 2, and maybe you could look into someplace that splits the difference between cost and convenience? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-cost-increase#post-2338421 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:54:14 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2338421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Agree! I dont see those raises! </p>