Where did you find your childcare?

Hello everyone,
I am currently searching for someone to watch my two little girls on a part-time basis.
I have put ads in the paper (fairly unsuccessfully), and used a local home daycare finder service (very unsuccessful).
Grandparents arne't really an option as they are out of town/have jobs themselves.

I am thinking about a high school student to get me through the student, but not sure how to go about that, and don't know what to do from there.

The local daycare wants to charge me almost $800 a month for part-time (10 days only).

For both my kids (who are 7 yrs apart) I went with Family DayCare (i think is$650/month) because:

* criminal background checks are required
* slightly more affordable than Wee Watch
* didn't want a day care centre, but a home service
* the agency does unexpected drop ins to see how things are going

The agency gave me a list of providers in the area I requested and I got to interview them. Trust me your gut instinct will steer you in the right direction. I knew right away which ones I did not want to use. I found two fantastic sitters that my kids just adored; my son stayed with his until we moved and my daughter is still with hers. My sitter left FD but I just went private with her. Good luck, it's very hard to find good sitters you feel comfortable with, but they're out there! Also, have you checked here? I have used them to find my occasional evening sitter: My girlfriend & I split the fee.

www.canadiansitter.ca

Just take a look in the mirror and you've found the best. If both parents work think about one quiting the workforce, downsize the house, having one basic car, smaller home, and hunt for a better paying job. Kids would rather have a parent than stuff. You'll find a way in a few years to get back into the ratrace.

Originally Posted by g0f15h

Just take a look in the mirror and you've found the best. If both parents work think about one quiting the workforce, downsize the house, having one basic car, smaller home, and hunt for a better paying job. Kids would rather have a parent than stuff. You'll find a way in a few years to get back into the ratrace.

Wow, what a fantasy world you must live in.

Originally Posted by mrcantrell

Wow, what a fantasy world you must live in.

I'll take that as a compliment. I highly recomend parents raise their kids. It may be more doable than you realize. Give it a chance and cruch the numbers to see if you can afford it.

Try Craiglist we had limited success .

Originally Posted by g0f15h

Just take a look in the mirror and you've found the best. If both parents work think about one quiting the workforce, downsize the house, having one basic car, smaller home, and hunt for a better paying job. Kids would rather have a parent than stuff. You'll find a way in a few years to get back into the ratrace.

Agreed. That's what we did plus we didn't want to warehouse our kid in some daycare and see them see a parent(s) only a few hours a day.

For some, like single parents, daycare is the only option.

Originally Posted by mrcantrell

Wow, what a fantasy world you must live in.

Not really. We live in Toronto, so cost of living is pretty high, but we still made the decision that it would be best for our children if my wife stayed home with them. We gave up the car, stopped eating out, buy most of our clothes either second-hand or on clearance and have limited our trips to the States (our one real entertainment expense).

On one income we now have our mortgage down below $100K, two kids that are fit and happy, a relatively stress-free environment (dealing with two kids all day isn't relaxing but neither is trying to rush out of work before 5PM because the day care charges exorbitant late fees) and two kids that are growing up knowing that at least one parent is available to them at all times.

I'm not trying to say that the above is doable by all people, but it certainly isn't a fantasy by any stretch.

We found our nanny as a sitter on CanadianSitter.ca.

Good posts. I've been asking coworkers, but nothing yet.

Originally Posted by mrcantrell

Wow, what a fantasy world you must live in.

Not at all. In fact is quite sad that you can't see the possibilities.

I gave up my career to raise my kids. Now that I am getting back in the melee is honestly not easy,... but by George I have the most amazing, well adjusted, intelligent, healthy kids I could ever wish for.


It does take some sacrifice, and I do understand that not everyone is up for that.


C.

I took 2 months off when baby was born and the wife took the rest. I am now getting laid off and the wife is getting ready to go back to work. Yippee I get to be with my girl everyday instead of the grind! If we can find a way to make it permanent I'd much rather raise her than some daycare!

Originally Posted by Cyber6

Not at all. In fact is quite sad that you can't see the possibilities.

I gave up my career to raise my kids. Now that I am getting back in the melee is honestly not easy,... but by George I have the most amazing, well adjusted, intelligent, healthy kids I could ever wish for.


It does take some sacrifice, and I do understand that not everyone is up for that.


C.

Not only do we share siggies, we share parenting thoughts!

I am a SAHM, gave up a lucrative career in H/R, but my kids are benefiting from my being at home!

I realize we are far and few between, but not in the suburban environment we are raising our kids in.

As for sitters/daycare, are you a churchgoer? Try posting there. My neighbours found their live out nanny there!

Originally Posted by mrcantrell

Wow, what a fantasy world you must live in.

Not a fantasy at all. Do the math. Most cases it is not worth for the mother to go back to work as her income is usually eaten up my daycare costs.

My wife took a package when ehr dept closed down instead of moving to a different dept. She runs her own home daycare service and everything is working out well.

Depending on where you are located there are many resources. In Durham there is durhamdaycare.com
I have been told you can find some on kijiji (sp?)

Check your local school as they generally have a list of home daycares in the area.