the Price of Daycare for One Child between 13 and 24 months

In-home childcare with a licenced childcare provider. Our provider's hours are from 7:00am to 5:00pm but don't be late! She provides all meals, snacks, & juice/milk. She also has a preschool program that she does with the kids. There are currently 3 children under the age of two and two children over the age of two. Providers in this area typically get paid holidays and 1-2 weeks PAID vacation.

This is our 3rd childcare provider in 18 months and by far the best (and most expensive). We prefer in-home childcare as opposed to the "big box" daycares which seem impersonal and breeding grounds for germs. Rates in the Denver metro area for in-home childcare run about $165-$220 per week for a child under the age of two. Denver experiences shortages in childcare for the under two crowd because the state limits the number of children a provider can have based upon their experience. Our provider is wonderful and our son adores her and the other kids. She has craft time and learning time so it's like pre-preschool for my 20 month old. My only issue is with the paid holidays and vacations. This seems to be the norm around here as childcare providers believe they should be treated like normal employees. The problem is that I don't get two weeks paid vacation so why should my childcare provider receive it? I have to use all of my vacation to cover her vacation which doesn't seem quite fair. Other than that we are very happy with our daycare provider and we feel she is worth every penny.

Get on a waiting list! Good providers are hard to find and when you find one by all means hold onto them. This may mean giving them a deposit to hold your spot.

Go with your gut feeling. If something doesn't feel right trust yourself and keep looking.

Make a list of questions to ask in the interview. Does the provider get paid holidays? If so, which ones? Does she charge a fee if you are late picking up your child? What is her sick child policy? Will she turn away a child with a runny nose?