Child Care in the US is unfortunately expensive and hard to find. It is something that is often overlooked when planning for life in the US, and we want to make sure you are prepared for what to expect when you begin work and are in need of child care. We have put together some different resources to help you find child care in your new city. We encourage you to begin searching for child care as soon as possible.
There are two options for you to consider for child care: daycare or nanny. There are pros and cons to both options, and you should choose something that works best for your schedule and your budget.
Hiring a nanny is typically more expensive than enrolling your child in daycare. However, if you have multiple children who need child care, hiring a nanny might end up being more cost efficient. When your child is in daycare, you will be paying for days that you might be home and might not need to have your children in daycare, where a nanny can be hired for specific days. Many daycare centers only keep children for typical work days (8am - 6pm), and not 12 hour shifts- but there are exceptions in most cities that provide extended daycare hours (typically 6am-6pm). As well, occasionally hospitals may have daycare options at the facility, so please ask as you get oriented at your new facility. Please make sure you take all of this into consideration and have a plan for your child before you get off work.
Preschool is typically for children ages 3-5, although each preschool is different. Some may allow enrollment as early as 18 months old, while others require the child to be four years old.
Preschool is not mandatory, but is a good alternative to daycare if you want a more structured learning environment.
Since most preschools are privately owned, they are not free like public schools. However, some public schools may offer preschool programs.