Comments on: $22,000 per year and a 2 hour commute for a bit of security http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/ Family, Marriage, Finances & Life Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:09:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jon http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-52213 Jon Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:13:20 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-52213 What issue are you worried about here, the cost of daycare, the long hours of commuting in the car, the flaws in the high-tech security system? Sadly, that daycare cost is in line with many other facilities in the D.C. area, it's on the high side but certainly not the most expensive. The long commute in the car definitely seems excessive, I am certain there are other high quality daycare facilities closer to her home but she found this one and is happy with the care her child receives. Would a nanny be better for her situation? possibly but that's a decision she needs to make for her family. Kid's are expensive, and you assume that she drives an SUV because she sends her kid to a pricey daycare? Also, if you read the end of the article she says that she's moving to Sterling in order to cut down the commuting costs. What issue are you worried about here, the cost of daycare, the long hours of commuting in the car, the flaws in the high-tech security system? Sadly, that daycare cost is in line with many other facilities in the D.C. area, it’s on the high side but certainly not the most expensive. The long commute in the car definitely seems excessive, I am certain there are other high quality daycare facilities closer to her home but she found this one and is happy with the care her child receives. Would a nanny be better for her situation? possibly but that’s a decision she needs to make for her family. Kid’s are expensive, and you assume that she drives an SUV because she sends her kid to a pricey daycare? Also, if you read the end of the article she says that she’s moving to Sterling in order to cut down the commuting costs.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-49056 Kelly Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:48:38 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-49056 Not a parent, so take this with a grain of salt if necessary, but are children getting snatched from daycare centers so often that this kind of security is needed? If you have an estranged partner or psycho in-laws or something, I supposed you should worry about someone taking your child from the facility, but I'm *guessing* that random kidnappings are pretty darn rare. Yes, make sure the facility is clean, the caregivers are licensed and all of THAT kind of safety stuff, but vein scans and the like? Not so much. Of course, I could be talking out of my bum because what do I know? But this seems over the top paranoid, not to mention the insane cost both in time and money. Not a parent, so take this with a grain of salt if necessary, but are children getting snatched from daycare centers so often that this kind of security is needed? If you have an estranged partner or psycho in-laws or something, I supposed you should worry about someone taking your child from the facility, but I’m *guessing* that random kidnappings are pretty darn rare.

Yes, make sure the facility is clean, the caregivers are licensed and all of THAT kind of safety stuff, but vein scans and the like? Not so much.

Of course, I could be talking out of my bum because what do I know? But this seems over the top paranoid, not to mention the insane cost both in time and money.

]]> By: Clever Dude http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-49047 Clever Dude Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:04:12 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-49047 I should correct the title of this article because she's actually driving 2 hours TWICE A DAY, so a total of a 4 hour commute each day. I should correct the title of this article because she’s actually driving 2 hours TWICE A DAY, so a total of a 4 hour commute each day.

]]> By: Mighty http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-49036 Mighty Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:26:25 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-49036 Wow, this is amazing. We actually just interviewed a nanny today and because we're comfortable having her bring her baby and toddler with her, we are actually spending $100 less per week for in-home care for our son than we were spending to drop him off at a daycare. Part of this decision was based on not wanting to have my son in the car any more than necessary. (Plus, we live near Chicago, so slogging a carseat, diaper bag, and cooler through the slush twice a day is no picnic.) I can't imagine spending two hours a day, and $22k in tuition for daycare. You could have an au pair who not only watched the child in home but did housework for less than $22k a year. Or better yet, figure out how much the second income is really bringing in after taxes, childcare, transportation, work-related expenses, and lost frugal opportunities (like cooking at home, more time for price comparison, etc.). Then figure out if that small fraction of your paycheck is worth giving up 9+ hours a day with your kids. Wow, this is amazing. We actually just interviewed a nanny today and because we’re comfortable having her bring her baby and toddler with her, we are actually spending $100 less per week for in-home care for our son than we were spending to drop him off at a daycare. Part of this decision was based on not wanting to have my son in the car any more than necessary. (Plus, we live near Chicago, so slogging a carseat, diaper bag, and cooler through the slush twice a day is no picnic.)

I can’t imagine spending two hours a day, and $22k in tuition for daycare. You could have an au pair who not only watched the child in home but did housework for less than $22k a year. Or better yet, figure out how much the second income is really bringing in after taxes, childcare, transportation, work-related expenses, and lost frugal opportunities (like cooking at home, more time for price comparison, etc.). Then figure out if that small fraction of your paycheck is worth giving up 9+ hours a day with your kids.

]]> By: Kim http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-49018 Kim Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:52:37 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-49018 We felt a group care situation was better for our children than a nanny. And we chose a Montessori school as well, because the program was fabulous. Since we had to have our child cared for while away, I was glad to find a place with such caring folks. Oh, and virtually no turnover during the seven years we were there. That said, I agree about the other parents being the weak link. My children had been in a federal daycare with excellent security prior to their Montessori experience. Guess what the biggest security risk was? They never did solve that one. Our Montessori school had a very low tech, very effective security system. They simply knew every person associated with the school and were very aware. We felt a group care situation was better for our children than a nanny. And we chose a Montessori school as well, because the program was fabulous. Since we had to have our child cared for while away, I was glad to find a place with such caring folks. Oh, and virtually no turnover during the seven years we were there.

That said, I agree about the other parents being the weak link. My children had been in a federal daycare with excellent security prior to their Montessori experience. Guess what the biggest security risk was? They never did solve that one.

Our Montessori school had a very low tech, very effective security system. They simply knew every person associated with the school and were very aware.

]]> By: Clever Dude http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-49010 Clever Dude Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:43:32 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-49010 @Holly, one good thing, though, with vein/fingerprint scanning is that the parent can add/remove authorized people from being able to pick up their kid. If you just have someone who recognizes people, they might not be on top of the do/don't list and let someone slip by. There's still always a way around the system, but a computer is objective only (at least as much as the programmer makes it). @Holly, one good thing, though, with vein/fingerprint scanning is that the parent can add/remove authorized people from being able to pick up their kid. If you just have someone who recognizes people, they might not be on top of the do/don’t list and let someone slip by. There’s still always a way around the system, but a computer is objective only (at least as much as the programmer makes it).

]]> By: Holly http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-49007 Holly Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:28:39 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-49007 I agree - I would hire a nanny. Not only would she have more control over the staff, but she'd have an extra couple of hours to spend with her child, at home, every day. Why would a daycare need vein scanning when they could just have a staff than KNEW and RECOGNIZED the parents. If a daycare needed a security system like this for my son I would think they were a baby farm, not a personable, comfortable place. I agree – I would hire a nanny. Not only would she have more control over the staff, but she’d have an extra couple of hours to spend with her child, at home, every day. Why would a daycare need vein scanning when they could just have a staff than KNEW and RECOGNIZED the parents. If a daycare needed a security system like this for my son I would think they were a baby farm, not a personable, comfortable place.

]]> By: Angela http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-48814 Angela Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:41:25 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-48814 And what about the quality of life cost? If this mother is so committed to the best for her child, she needs to be giving the best of herself. And that can't be done behind the wheel for 2-3 hours/day. There have to be excellent daycare options in the Bethesda and Rockville area. She would then have those precious hours back - and so would her child. And what about the quality of life cost? If this mother is so committed to the best for her child, she needs to be giving the best of herself. And that can’t be done behind the wheel for 2-3 hours/day. There have to be excellent daycare options in the Bethesda and Rockville area. She would then have those precious hours back – and so would her child.

]]> By: Darwin's Finance http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-48732 Darwin's Finance Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:18:59 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-48732 If it's safety/security these parents are after, they're actually subjecting their children to more risk than they're avoiding which is unfortunate. With the rate of highway fatalities and the thousands of miles per year of unnecessary commute they're subjecting their children to, they are putting them at a much higher risk of injury/death than any risk a child would face from being "stolen" from a day care center. This is just another case of misinformed people not relying on data and proper risk assessment, but allowing their financial and safety decisions to be governed by media hysteria of a very rare occurrence that makes the national news nonetheless. Let's see - how many children are stolen from a daycare center each year? Probably count on one hand. How many children die in auto fatalities each year? Thousands. Common sense. Oh yeah, and don't forget the kids' college tuition they just blew if it had gone toward a 529 instead. Great post! If it’s safety/security these parents are after, they’re actually subjecting their children to more risk than they’re avoiding which is unfortunate. With the rate of highway fatalities and the thousands of miles per year of unnecessary commute they’re subjecting their children to, they are putting them at a much higher risk of injury/death than any risk a child would face from being “stolen” from a day care center. This is just another case of misinformed people not relying on data and proper risk assessment, but allowing their financial and safety decisions to be governed by media hysteria of a very rare occurrence that makes the national news nonetheless.

Let’s see – how many children are stolen from a daycare center each year? Probably count on one hand.

How many children die in auto fatalities each year? Thousands.

Common sense.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget the kids’ college tuition they just blew if it had gone toward a 529 instead.

Great post!

]]> By: SmartSecurityPeople.com http://www.cleverdude.com/content/22000-per-year-and-a-2-hour-commute-for-a-bit-of-security/comment-page-1/#comment-48615 SmartSecurityPeople.com Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:32:57 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2527#comment-48615 Obviously security is not the driving(no pun intended) force behind this parent commuting an extra 100-120 miles a day. I am sure that the vein scanning is a nice feature but I have seen a number of other daycare providers have just as strong of security without vein scanning machines. The parent probably just really likes the Day Care. Montessori families are usually a little more "extreme" than others and would probably make the extra commute for the experience and to show others how committed they are to their children. Most "good" Day Cares don't have a lot of turnover in staff and the people watching the children have a good rapport with the parents of the kids and recognize them right away when they come in the door. So my guess is that this Day Care would prefer to invest in a vein scanning device instead of keeping good consistent staff. Obviously security is not the driving(no pun intended) force behind this parent commuting an extra 100-120 miles a day. I am sure that the vein scanning is a nice feature but I have seen a number of other daycare providers have just as strong of security without vein scanning machines. The parent probably just really likes the Day Care. Montessori families are usually a little more “extreme” than others and would probably make the extra commute for the experience and to show others how committed they are to their children.

Most “good” Day Cares don’t have a lot of turnover in staff and the people watching the children have a good rapport with the parents of the kids and recognize them right away when they come in the door. So my guess is that this Day Care would prefer to invest in a vein scanning device instead of keeping good consistent staff.

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