My wife and I are expecting twins in February so we are starting to look into childcare options. We’re excited about the twins but become pretty anxious when thinking about childcare costs! Since this is our first time, can any parents recommend a daycare they like, and roughly how much? What do you like about it?

If you use a nanny instead of daycare, how did you find your nanny, and roughly what’s the going rate? Was there anything in your nanny interviews that seemed to come up often?

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bodhipooh t1_itm68fp wrote on October 24, 2022 at 5:46 PM

#204,857

Man, I hate to the bearer of bad news, but you are in for sticker shock. I don't know if you will be able to find daycare for two babies that won't run you over 36K for the year. Close friends of ours have ONE kid in daycare (not even a FULL day, more like 9 to 3, or 4) and they are paying ~20K per year. A full day with extended hours (the kind of schedule that working parents would require) would run 23K. And, it's not even that great of a daycare (based on their feedback). They had a second kid and can't really afford daycare for both, so they are doing all kinds of scheduling gymnastics to keep just one in daycare and the baby at home. Our other friends are spending the yearly equivalent of 27K, for a 2.5 year old. This is by far one of the biggest issues/challenges for young, working families in JC.

PinkLemonadeJam t1_itmarai wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:15 PM

#205,295

A nanny is going to run about $25-$30/hour. Keep in mind that's just salary. You would be an employer (legally) so you also have to consider things like payroll, taxes, etc. There are other costs as well: covering PTO and sick days, holiday bonus, $ for supplies and outings, etc. You also have to pay overtime for any hours over 40 in a week.

All said and done, a nanny is usually in the neighborhood of $70-90k/year.

For daycare, let me just say - yikes. You guys need to get on that. You really needed to be on multiple waitlists as soon as the pregnancy test came back. Needing two spots - you are in for a rough go my friend. You might not have the luxury of choosing - it might be a get whatever you can find situation.

JCS190 t1_itmko7f wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:19 PM

#206,363

In the Heights, there are a lot of daycares. Don't freak out. You will not be paying downtown prices. You should be able to find a daycare around $1500-1700 a month.

We did a nanny at first as well. $18 an hour, cash. I think $20+ an hour is probably a bit more accurate now though. With 2 kids this may end up making more sense than daycare for you.

bodhipooh t1_itmqm8g wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:57 PM

#207,053

Replying to JCS190 (#206,363)

>In the Heights, there are a lot of daycares. Don't freak out. You will not be paying downtown prices. You should be able to find a daycare around $1500-1700 a month.

Considering it is two kids, and if we assume 1.6K per month per kid, that still works out to a hair shy of 40K. That's not an insignificant amount for most young families. That's about the net take home amount for a 60K salary. As I posted above, daycare and childcare is probably one of the biggest challenges for young families in this city.

glitterpumps t1_itn0s5h wrote on October 24, 2022 at 9:02 PM

#208,138

The Wonder Years is the most affordable option we’ve found— $780 a month for full time, full day care if you live in JC.

Prices skew closer to $1200-$1500 per month in and around the Heights; you’ll always find these places offer sibling discounts but I have no idea what that looks like yet.

I haven’t heard of anyone citing a waitlist when I called around. Maybe that’s a downtown thing?

I’m going back to work from Mat leave next week so my research is recent.

In terms of experience with daycares, we had my older son in Academy House in JSQ— it was fantastic and we were paying $1000 per month.

Ajkrouse OP t1_itnk5eo wrote on October 24, 2022 at 11:21 PM

#210,187

Replying to bodhipooh (#207,053)

It’s a huge challenge for young families nationwide and not just in Jersey City

Ajkrouse OP t1_itnlw21 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 11:34 PM

#210,390

Replying to glitterpumps (#208,138)

Thank you! Did your child like The Wonder Years? Do you mind if I DM you with more questions?

glitterpumps t1_itnqavp wrote on October 25, 2022 at 12:08 AM

#210,873

Replying to Ajkrouse (#210,390)

Sure! But we haven’t started using them yet— I return to work next week, that’s when we’re signing him up.

Happyjee t1_itouqny wrote on October 25, 2022 at 5:47 AM

#214,526

wife had to quit the job to take care of the baby. Just could not afford daycare that was costing 20-30 k per year and honestly did not see any value in it at such a young age. Just ridiculous. For reasons like this I miss Europe. Kids and medical are freaking expensive here