r2i forum

We would like to put our 2 year old in a Day Care. We can't use Dependent Care FSA since my wife doesn't work. Please don't say have my wife take care till PreKG and save all money!

We want her to interact with other kids and start to learn. And my wife needs a BREAK!!! atleast for few hours!

I don't think it is necessary for both parents to work to be able to participate in Dependant care FSA. Do your employer participate in FSA? If yes, then you can put money there. But this year open enrollment period may be over in most agencies unless you are switching jobs.

Also, since the intension is to give few hour break to your wife, see if you can enroll your kid in 3 day program or half day programs. Why you really need to spend money when you know that the kids will go to bed or the facility will put them to sleep atleats 2 hours after the lunch? Send him/her for half day service and bring him/her back after the lunch. But it's tough to find such facility who offer half day service for all 5 days. It's easy to get 3 day service though.

Yes, my employer has Dependant care FSA but it clearly says in fine prints that

"If married, both spouses must earn income in order for the Dependent Care FSA to work. The only exception is if the non-earning spouse is disabled or a full-time student. If one spouse earns less than $5,000 then the benefit is limited to whatever that spouse earned."

IRS-Website
"You – and your spouse if you file jointly – must have earned income from wages, salaries, tips, other taxable employee compensation or net earnings from self-employment. One spouse may be considered as having earned income if they were a full-time student or were physically or mentally unable to care for themselves."

My Roots;377246Why you really need to spend money when you know that the kids will go to bed or the facility will put them to sleep atleats 2 hours after the lunch? Send him/her for half day service and bring him/her back after the lunch. But it's tough to find such facility who offer half day service for all 5 days. It's easy to get 3 day service though.

Yes, we are thinking of this and hunting for one such!!

L2R2I, my bad, you are right, both parents has to work to participate in Dependant care FSA.

Good luck finding part time care.

Home or family daycare might be the best option. You can search in the area's craigslist for providers with part time openings. Many are happy to provide references of current and past customers. You can also post a 'looking for part time daycare' ad in craigslist. I did a quick search for the Denver/Boulder area craigslist and looks like $5-6 per hr is the rate for licensed part time drop-in care.

The thing with daycare center kind of place (not in a house/apartment) is they are generally expensive, not very flexible on timing/hours and some have a 'child should be dropped by this time' rule. And more formal registration process including possibly registration/enrollment fee.

For that age's socialization needs, there only need to be 2-3 kids of similar age. 3 days a week is actually better than 5 days because getting a 2 yr old kid dressed up & fed and ready to go is also a hassle. When they are 3 or 3.5 yrs old, 5 days a week works better.

Another option could be an unlicensed but reliable daycare provider if that is OK with you. Such you might hear about mostly through word of mouth and they would accept payment in cash only.

modus_vivendi;377286Home or family daycare might be the best option....

After the tragic incident at the daycare in Houston, I wouldn't even consider any daycare center/provider which is not a chain and not large with multiple teachers/care-takers. My kids have been with ChildTime or their co-branded centers for years and they were good with multiple options.

cyberabadi;377370After the tragic incident at the daycare in Houston, I wouldn't even consider any daycare center/provider which is not a chain and not large with multiple teachers/care-takers. My kids have been with ChildTime or their co-branded centers for years and they were good with multiple options.

I was totally unaware of this inicident till now! Thanks for bringing this up to my attention.

cyberabadi;377370After the tragic incident at the daycare in Houston, I wouldn't even consider any daycare center/provider which is not a chain and not large with multiple teachers/care-takers. My kids have been with ChildTime or their co-branded centers for years and they were good with multiple options.

Not even if I open one in my small village? :)

Yes, parents should take due precautions when looking for daycare. Though:

Pennsylvania fire kills seven children.
Mother kills teens for talking back.

gives a whole new meaning to 'parents should take due precautions'!

modus_vivendi;377382Not even if I open one in my small village? :)
.....!

toughest job there is !! A good metaphor is "herding squirrels". I am amazed how those licensed centers do it.