https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:11:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222899 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:55:58 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 222899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: BH is great (though I found it is somehow related to Bain Capital which I wasn't thrilled with)... but when I found out it would be more than the nanny, it just didn't make financial sense :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222811 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:01:46 +0000 yoursilverlining 222811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: LO will be going to a Bright Horizons center - it's prob more expensive for us too than a nanny would be ( depending on the nanny). I love the BH center though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222796 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:55:17 +0000 immabeetoo 222796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jholler25 I nannied full-time through an agency during college summers and then have done part-time and temporary nannying through Care.com in the past year when we moved temporarily and I didn't want to work professionally for less than a year (since we're moving again).</p> <p>I think pricing is especially tough when you're talking about 4 days a week - I think the hourly pricing is more appropriate for one night type things. "Full time" nannying has so many other factors to consider (as a nanny) like gas reimbursement or car borrowing, meals, paid vacation, how flexible are the hours, how much 'fun money' will they be getting (I'd much rather take a job that paid less per hour but we had the funds to go to the zoo, aquarium, etc. because it is more fun for both of us!). </p> <p>I would probably post a wanted ad if I were you - I think that a lot of nannies use the free version so you might not be able to see them, but they can see your wanted ad. I have no idea on pricing since I'm in the Midwest but I know there are lots of moms with their own kids who would probably be less expensive. If we ever end up needing a nanny I'd love to have a younger Mom with a similarly aged kid fill the position - I think it is much more fun for everyone! But that's just me :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222789 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:52:12 +0000 bushelandapeck 222789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I started looking around 14-16 weeks and then met with potential daycares around week 20. Most had long wait lists and it took a while to find someone I was comfortable with. I felt silly starting the process so early but now I'm really glad I did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222783 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:49:53 +0000 CarrieLouWho 222783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started looking around 8-10 weeks and put a deposit/registration down around 12-14 weeks I think. Nanny was too much for us, so we went the daycare route. I think it depends on your area a lot. I just wanted to be done with something, so that's why we got on it early. But a lot of the good places have longer waiting lists. Bigger cities have much longer waits I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222781 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:49:28 +0000 calsmom 222781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Daycare is more expensive than a nanny where you are? I cannot imagine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222776 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:42:37 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 222776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We put ourselves on daycare waiting lists before our babies were born, but we ultimately didn't end up needing to go in that direction. For us, nanny is cheaper than Bright Horizons in our area! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222771 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:38:41 +0000 PrincessBaby 222771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: That is exactly where I've been looking is care.com...Thank you so much for weighing in! I get confused because they post ranges on there, like $10-$15 an hour, or $15-$20 an hour. $5-$10 an hour can make a big difference, so it would be nice to know exactly where they fall, but I wasn't sure if I would be jumping the gun to contact anyone or post an ad. That is very good info! Thank you! Maybe I'll go ahead and post an ad:) I've already called daycares and gotten ranges of $225-$250 a week, and if a nanny is say - $100 more for 4 days a week, then that's something I may truly consider...Were you a nanny on care.com? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222757 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:31:37 +0000 immabeetoo 222757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will be staying at home but thought I'd add in my thoughts as a former nanny - a lot of families will know far in advance that they won't need their nanny any longer. So, if you're looking at that option you might find a perfect fit with a nanny who already knows she'll be looking for a new position in spring of 2013 (because the parent is going to stay at home, moving out of state, etc. etc.). On Care.com there were frequently people posting 'wanted' ads for nannies as far as a year out :) Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222695 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:03:11 +0000 oliviaoblivia 222695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a year off for maternity leave and was on a waiting list for daycare before our BFP. So that's a spot we'll not need until January 2014. I don't even know if we'll still be here by then, but better safe than sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222686 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:00:49 +0000 ladyfingers 222686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I researched the area and got pricing, and know the ones I prefer. We're planning to start visiting them in a couple of weeks, when I'm 13 weeks along and we've made the announcement (so that DH can ask for time off from work for a day). Everybody I talked to said they had a waiting list but it wasn't as far out as May of next year -- but I'm glad I called around because now I feel a lot better and have a better idea of our deadlines! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222666 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:56:02 +0000 edelweiss 222666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think the time at which people start looking into daycare/nannies varies a lot based on region and supply/demand. i just finished my first trimester and started calling. a few places said i was looking around the right time, and another has a waiting list with no availability until a few months after i need it. there was only one place that seemed surprised that i was calling for a spot in April 2013 (as in, i was calling early). i am looking in northern virginia, in the dc metro area. in any case, i don't think it hurts at all to start early and get it out of the way if you're so inclined! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222664 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:54:40 +0000 regberadaisy 222664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First trimester because I knew certain daycares had a extensive wait list. ie my top choice had a 9month waiting list. So it's actually not crazy to start this early!<br /> I suggest researching, looking up their website, some centers provide rate information on their website. Or just give them a quick call to ask about pricing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222655 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:51:13 +0000 MamaMoose 222655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started looking at day care as soon as I was pregnant. And even still because of their schedule we can't get in until three months after the end of my maternity leave. We will be doing a nanny for those three months, but won't start the nanny hunt until after the baby is here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222639 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:44:50 +0000 yoursilverlining 222639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started looking around week 20 at daycares, since several of the better ones already had long waiting lists for past when LO was due. We then had plenty of time to tour daycares, compare prices, get on waiting lists, and then finally (around week 30), pay the registration fee to secure a place.</p> <p>We thought about going with a nanny since my husband works from home part time, but it was sort of a pain in the neck. Going through an agency was more expensive but easier (since they take care of tax implications, paperwork, background checks, etc), and hiring someone directly would have meant a financial savings but ton of paperwork to file as an employer, and time spent learning the appropriate laws. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222633 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:41:29 +0000 Mrsbells 222633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I starting calling daycares for basic info and prices soon after I found out I was pregant during the 1st trimester. Its better to prepare yourself mentally for the cost and all that goes with it. Especially since some have waiting lists. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222631 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:40:41 +0000 Honeybee 222631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started looking into daycares at 20 weeks. Ultimately, we decided on a nanny to start, and we didn't hire her until DD was 2 months old (I had to go back to work at 3 months). If you're ultimate decision comes down to price, though, it's a good idea to start researching costs in your area now. You might call a nanny staffing agency to see what their overall costs normally run, since you'll want to add taxes, benefits, etc... into the daily charge for a nanny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222629 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:39:54 +0000 matador84 222629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>as soon as i found out i was pregnant! daycares here have crazy long waiting lists and childcare was essential since husband and i both work, if we didn't have childcare we were screwed. luckily i got in to the one i wanted...but if i had waited longer, i am sure i wouldn't have! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222627 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:39:15 +0000 Andrea 222627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's ridiculous to start looking early for a daycare. We put down a deposit a full year before DD started daycare. Good ones have long waiting lists. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222622 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:36:24 +0000 DillonLion 222622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're going to start scouting day cares in the next few weeks (I'm 21 weeks now). I need to get some actual pricing in my hands so I can crunch numbers on what we actually plan to do (me keep working full time, go to part-time, or quit completely). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-nannydaycare-hunting#post-222618 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:34:51 +0000 PrincessBaby 222618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am unsure of if we are going to try to get a nanny or do daycare. I am in medical device sales and have a home office, so I was kind of thinking of trying to get a nanny for 4 days a week, and just using Friday as a catchup/office day where we don't pay a nanny. On the other hand, even if paying for 4 days a week, it's still quite a bit more than daycare, so I don't know what we're going to do.</p> <p>I can't really decide on nanny vs daycare until I have an exact idea of costs. In other words, some nannies will work for $80 a day, and some will work for $120. I won't know until I start looking what we'd be looking at exactly. But it seems ridiculous to start scouting now for nannies that I won't need until March or April, depending on if I do extended FMLA.</p> <p>When did you start scouting for a nanny/daycare? </p>