Daycare costs in Seattle?

[kate1482]

Would any of the Seattle MM Moms/Dads care to share how much they pay for infant childcare? I was at a work event on Thursday and someone mentioned the kindercare off of 520 was $2,400 a month for infant care. (!!!).  Does this sound about right?  For some reason I always thought infant care was $1,800ish.  We are planning TTC in the next year or so and want to make sure I'm being somewhat realistic.

Thank you!

[spk926]

I would suggest calling centers around your house or work and just ask them what their rates are. I know in the metro area that I live in rates vary drastically even 10-15 minutes apart from each other.

[catbus]

Hi kate1482. Unfortunately, yes, amount isn't totally out there. Our first center (in West Seattle) was $1987/month for infant care in January/February 2013. We were on the waiting list for the center in H's office building, and switched there in March 2013. Infant care there is now $2287/month, IIRC (we never paid that much, because H's employer generously subsidizes the cost for employees). Our center is expensive, but there are definitely even more expensive options out there. Both of the centers we've used are Bright Horizons.

Average cost for infant care at a center when I researched in early 2012 was ~$1850/month. Rates tend to increase about 3-4% annually, so I would guess average right now is $2000. Get on a list ASAP when you know you're pregnant. We got on the list for our current center when I was twelve weeks along, and even so we didn't get a spot until I'd been back at work for a couple months.

[kate1482]

Mar 30, 2014 20:05:24 GMT -5 catbus said:

Hi kate1482. Unfortunately, yes, amount isn't totally out there. Our first center (in West Seattle) was $1987/month for infant care in January/February 2013. We were on the waiting list for the center in H's office building, and switched there in March 2013. Infant care there is now $2287/month, IIRC (we never paid that much, because H's employer generously subsidizes the cost for employees). Our center is expensive, but there are definitely even more expensive options out there. Both of the centers we've used are Bright Horizons.

Average cost for infant care at a center when I researched in early 2012 was ~$1850/month. Rates tend to increase about 3-4% annually, so I would guess average right now is $2000. Get on a list ASAP when you know you're pregnant. We got on the list for our current center when I was twelve weeks along, and even so we didn't get a spot until I'd been back at work for a couple months.

This is super helpful!  Thank you.  

[niq]

Mar 30, 2014 19:49:10 GMT -5 kate1482 said:

Would any of the Seattle MM Moms/Dads care to share how much they pay for infant childcare? I was at a work event on Thursday and someone mentioned the kindercare off of 520 was $2,400 a month for infant care. (!!!).  Does this sound about right?  For some reason I always thought infant care was $1,800ish.  We are planning TTC in the next year or so and want to make sure I'm being somewhat realistic.

Thank you!

These are the infant care prices I have in my spreadsheet. They're from last year, so add like 3-5%. All are downtown or near the University of Washington. Prices might be lower in neighborhoods.

Name Price/month (5 days)

UW West Campus $1595

University Temple Child's School $1566

Paideia Academy $1410
(food not provided for toddlers/preschoolers)
Little Eagles $1689

Bright Horizons $2050

KidsCentre $1775

ETA that's the BH at 4th and Madison. BH seems to vary their price by center. There are three or four in the downtown-ish area.

[kate1482]

niq

Thank you digging up your spreadsheet. We are hoping to find a house in the revenna/Bryant area in the spring, so that is really helpful. (Dh and I are so done living in the burbs!)

@spunbutterfly
I work in bellevue- I appreciate you sharing some rates over on the eastside!

[sugarbear]

Or center is on the Ravenna side of Greenlake. They start at 12 months, and full time tuition is $1500.