Best daycare option in St. Mary's County

[gardengirl]

I'm expecting our first baby in September and am beginning to research daycares in St. Mary's County that will accept infants. I'm hoping to find one that's somewhere in the Hollywood or Leonardtown area that's licensed, accredited and all that jazz. So far I've heard about Creative Beginnings and the Sunshine Center. Are there any others that you all would recommend? Thanks in advance! (Sorry if this is something that's already been thoroughly discussed -- if you could point me to the threads, I'll take a look there. )

 

[sockgirl77]

I'm expecting our first baby in September and am beginning to research daycares in St. Mary's County that will accept infants. I'm hoping to find one that's somewhere in the Hollywood or Leonardtown area that's licensed, accredited and all that jazz. So far I've heard about Creative Beginnings and the Sunshine Center. Are there any others that you all would recommend? Thanks in advance! (Sorry if this is something that's already been thoroughly discussed -- if you could point me to the threads, I'll take a look there. )

Sunshine Center rarely has infant openings. Creative Beginnings prices are outrageous for infants! Good luck finding an opening somewhere. I know of 2 preggo moms searching in the same area and cannot find any openings under $200 per week! I'll ask my daycare provider if she knows anyone.

 

[gardengirl]

Thanks sockgirl! I'm currently on the waiting list for the Sunshine Center...I figure by the time my maternity leave runs out it'll be mid-December or so. I'm praying that something reputable opens up before then. I can't believe it's so expensive, but I'm glad to know about the prices now so that hubby and I can start saving. From the way you describe Creative Beginnings, it sounds excellent! I'll definitely stop by there to put my name on what I'm sure will be a long waiting list.

 

[sockgirl77]

Thanks sockgirl! I'm currently on the waiting list for the Sunshine Center...I figure by the time my maternity leave runs out it'll be mid-December or so. I'm praying that something reputable opens up before then. I can't believe it's so expensive, but I'm glad to know about the prices now so that hubby and I can start saving. From the way you describe Creative Beginnings, it sounds excellent! I'll definitely stop by there to put my name on what I'm sure will be a long waiting list.

I didn't say anything excellent about Creative Beginnings! They are over priced. Last I checked it was $275 per week for an infant and that was over a year ago. They claim that their prices are so high because it's a "learning" evironment.

 

[gardengirl]

I didn't say anything excellent about Creative Beginnings! They are over priced.

Whoops! That's pregnancy brain kicking in...I read "Creative Beginnings is outstanding for infants" instead of outragous. Guess it's time for me to quit working for the day before I start making errors!

 

[onebdzee]

Whoops! That's pregnancy brain kicking in...I read "Creative Beginnings is outstanding for infants" instead of outragous. Guess it's time for me to quit working for the day before I start making errors!

You might want to try a home daycare provider....I tried the daycare center with my youngest and I didn't care for it too much....with the home provider you get more "one on one" time because of the small number of kids....the price might be a little more reasonable than a center, also....Good luck on your search whatever you choose to do

 

[amethyst_babes]

I think Creative Beginnings is excellent. I was on the waiting list from 5 months pregnant and my dd started at her first birthday. I paid $247/wk (yes alot, but worth it IMO). The infant ratio is 3:1 and the 2 adults in the room get breaks and lunch (something no single at home provider can say). My dd is now 2 and has moved to the toddler room ($190/wk). I have always felt my children get excellent care from outstanding, caring adults.

Good luck, I know infant care is hard to come by.

 

[crabcake]

Holy Chit infant/child care is getting expensive!

When DQ was 14 months old (just 6 years ago), she started in a center and it was $125/week, and that was with a chef on staff to cook fancy-shmancy meals for the kiddos.

That tubal ligation is looking better and better each day!

 

[MysticalMom]

Holy Chit infant/child care is getting expensive!

When DQ was 14 months old (just 6 years ago), she started in a center and it was $125/week, and that was with a chef on staff to cook fancy-shmancy meals for the kiddos.

That tubal ligation is looking better and better each day!

The cost of daycare is one of the reasons why I have been a stay at home mom for the last 5 years. I'm lucky enough to be able to be. Though it is THE most demanding and exhausting job I've ever had. ( sometimes I really miss my old desk!)

And crabcake...the tubaligation is so easy and soooooooooo worth it!

 

[crabcake]

The cost of daycare is one of the reasons why I have been a stay at home mom for the last 5 years. I'm lucky enough to be able to be. Though it is THE most demanding and exhausting job I've ever had. ( sometimes I really miss my old desk!)

And crabcake...the tubaligation is so easy and soooooooooo worth it!

I stayed home with DQ till she was 14 months old, and I was soooo ready to go back to work when I did. I love her to death, but a SAHM, I am not cut out to be.

I can't imagine paying those kinds of prices for daycare. I pay about $150/month (yes, you read that right) for her after-school camp program and it's awesome.

 

[harleygirl]

I'm expecting our first baby in September and am beginning to research daycares in St. Mary's County that will accept infants. I'm hoping to find one that's somewhere in the Hollywood or Leonardtown area that's licensed, accredited and all that jazz. So far I've heard about Creative Beginnings and the Sunshine Center. Are there any others that you all would recommend? Thanks in advance! (Sorry if this is something that's already been thoroughly discussed -- if you could point me to the threads, I'll take a look there. )

Try Starmaker, I used to use them in the summer, they are pretty good.

 

[Christy]

Try Starmaker, I used to use them in the summer, they are pretty good.

Starmaker is really good.

 

[hollywoman]

Has anybody thought about opening the franchise LaPetite near the base. They will buy the land, and build the building. There prices are reasonable, even for infants. Just a thought!

 

[onebdzee]

And crabcake...the tubaligation is so easy and soooooooooo worth it!

 

[marissa'smommy]

In my opinion I would hire a nanny! I took all of the classes to be a daycare teacher and I worked at various daycares in the area for about three years. I hated it so I became a nanny. I have been a nanny for eight years and I love it. It helps if you get along well with the family that your working for. Now I have my own child and I am lucky enough to be able to keep her with me. I would never put my daughter in daycare unless she could talk. Its hard to trust people these days. Do a background check! Thats just my opinion.

 

[LexiGirl75]

I pay about $150/month (yes, you read that right) for her after-school camp program and it's awesome.

Interesting, see when I moved here my son already started school in DC because I didn't know about childcare I kept him there where I had a reliable CCP.

This past school year I learned about the Child Care Locator people in St Mary's click here and I got a list of providers who do before and aftercare for my son's school and we found one for $65wk ($260 a month). We are pleased with our provider.

But, the real area that I am interested in knowing about is SUMMER programs that are reasonable. Last year I found the programs to be too expensive for $90wk starting well after and ending well before my work schedule. Then in addition it was an extra $30wk for extended care which it's good that's an option.

Why are summer programs running $500 a month plus breakfast, lunches and snacks in addition to the cost of trips and pool outtings etc. for a government program. I found it on the St Mary's County Parks and Recreation website.

Does anyone know of programs in the county that are reasonable and time friendly? TIA

 

[huntr1]

I'm expecting our first baby in September and am beginning to research daycares in St. Mary's County that will accept infants. I'm hoping to find one that's somewhere in the Hollywood or Leonardtown area that's licensed, accredited and all that jazz. So far I've heard about Creative Beginnings and the Sunshine Center. Are there any others that you all would recommend? Thanks in advance! (Sorry if this is something that's already been thoroughly discussed -- if you could point me to the threads, I'll take a look there. )

Just centers? What about licensed, accredited home daycare?

 

[RoseRed]

The Hollywood Rec Center has infant care. Not sure if they have any openings, but its worth a shot.