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Les Bons Plans / Le Top 10 des Questions - (accès libre) Voici en libre accès certaines des questions les plus courantes de nouveaux arrivants ou nouveaux parents.   Accueil   Rechercher Echanges passés Demander QUESTION: Child care in the US? de EMilie N. - 07/08/01 - Baie de San Francisco Whta's the situation like for childcare in the US and California in particular?                                            Répondre REPONSE(s) du Comité Editorial de FrenchParents: Comité Editorial FrenchParents: Anne-Caroline Isautier- Rougeot - 07/08/01 First of all, this title is misleading. I don't mean it's an adventure to give birth or even to raise a child, (although it is also). I mean, it's an adventure to have kids if you intend to continue working, going out, or buying those things you appreciate in the US! That's because adequate, affordable childcare and schooling are not a given here. As one coming from another culture, having a child was a no-brainer. Hell, where I'm from, women take 2 to 4 months maternity leaves from work, employers are severely monitored to prevent laying off expectant women or new mothers, and quality child care centers and nannies are available- if not plentiful. Not so here. The situation may be particularly severe in California and the Bay area, where the economy was very strong and salaries skyrocketed, however, I have heard similar stories from residents of Washington, DC and New York… What to know about child care in the US: - Let's be frank: finding adequate, affordable childcare is a problem. Unless you've signed up on the waiting list of the best centers in a given area the day after your child blessed the world, forget about getting into some preschools and day care centers. On the other hand, you may not even have wanted your child to attend them. As wonderful as they may be, they are extremely expensive ($800 to over $1000 a month for a 9 to 3 PM schedule, with a three-months summer break) and they require that parents give a large number of hours (20 to 25 hours per school year) to participate in the center's activities. Should you not be able to participate, you will simply be billed a fee (between $10 and $20 per hour… Gives you a good feeling about the value of your time doesn't it?) Should you also happen to be 5 minutes late when coming to pick up your little treasure, expect to pay! In the American childcare business, time definitely is money… - So you're thinking;" Well, I'm not on these elite centers' waiting lists, and I couldn't afford them anyway. There must be alternatives". Yes, there are. - There are very limited state subsidized programs, for a lucky portion of those who are students at universities or who are living on welfare. - For the others (ie, lower to middle-class, working parents) there is a myriad of alternatives, as is often the rule in this land of choice and freedom. They are very loosely regulated, unsubsidized, individually managed alternatives… You get the picture: the best rivals with, well… the not so great! (I think another paper is warranted on that very topic: the not so great centers.) - So what do you do? Open the yellow pages to "child care' or " pre-schools" and go down the list, calling and visiting places? That's the most painful and time-consuming approach, but one that newcomers often have to face. To be fair, there is a source of help: the NAEYC( www.naeyc.org), a non-profit group that gives centers nationwide its discriminating seal of approval. But its limited resources do not permit it to visit and approve many centers. - Then there's the "luck factor". Aside from the "elite centers" and the centers you'd rather avoid, there are smaller, less formalized centers with dedicated staff and a love of their work. One can basically count on word-of-mouth or well-connected people to find them, but to ensure a spot for your little wonder, sign up ahead of time! One year to 6 months ahead is a suggested time frame. - So what if you move after turning in your $50 to $100 deposit for that perfect center of education for your loved one(s)? Tough luck, you'll have to start over…and lose that deposit. I told you it was an adventure. More to come.... REPONSE(s) des abonné(e)s de FrenchParents: Small Family Day Care Centers de Paris G. - 09/09/01 One option that Europeans shouldn't overlook is the Small family day care. These are cheaper and more flexible than the big childcare factories. Usually, they are a mother who stays at home, has some basic CPR training and (hopefully) likes children. They are only allowed to keep less than 10 children. Don't hesitate to go visit any childcare center that you are considering. Preferably, find the time to spend the whole day. That way you can get a good idea how the childcare workers interact with their young charges. Do they like children? Are they patient? Are they fair in mediating disputes among children? Do they always stay calm and never loose their temper? Most childcare workers in the U.S. are not highly educated. But in the end love of children counts for more anyway. Just don't expect an education to come from most of these places. They are "garderies" plain in simple. If you are looking for something more stimulating for your toddler, you will have to pay top dollar for a preschool. French For Kids de Martine M. - 31/01/02 As a French native from Nantes (who owned and run a French home daycare for 6 years in Oakland, Ca. to provide the best care for my son then 15 months old and to ensure that he spoke French), I can only say: Good Luck! The best alternative for parents working full-time with young children under 2 years of age is the family home daycare. Finding the right one is a job of its own. For parents with time flexibility and children who are between 2 and 4-1/2 yrs old, I offer an all-in-French program called French For Kids. It exposes young children to the French language through daily structured activities in a fun and friendly home environment. For more information contact Frenchparents or see the Yellow Pages. Start looking now and ask around de Nathalie D. - 25/02/02 I have 2 children now 3 and 5, both born in the US and I knew from the beginning that I wanted them to learn french as well as english. they both started at 7 weeks old in a daycare center called Kindercare, Ok some are going to say it's really not the best, and I will tell you that I visited 2, totally different, all that matters is the teachers and their relationship with the children. but I had to put my son on the waiting list when I was still expecting, for both of them. When we moved I had to find another day care and I started to look at family at home day care. this is the best choice I think. less children per teacher, more family oriented, OK it's much more playfull than day care centers, but they have a long road ahead and I think that they deserve the fun for a couple a years! they just fell in love with the care giver, she is so affectionate with the kids, it was like another home for them. we go visit her sometimes and they still run towards her and hug her, so happy to see her again (try that at the day care center.. unless they had a special bond with a teacher). I then started to look for a preschool for my son when he was between 2 and 2 1/2 and I had to wait about 6 months before he got in (he started in january, some schools have open enrollement in sept and jan). I did the same thing for my daughter and they are both there right now. It's a Montessori affiliated school (All Are Friends Montessori, in Foster City) and I highly recommend it. I love the consistency, the patience and the professionalism that all the teachers have. I am now in the process of getting them into the french lycee La Perouse downtown SF, I started the process last september and I will know for sure next week (crossing my fingers). My son would start CP (french equiv. of 1st grade) and my daughter would start in K1. I am so exited about it. Anyway, just to let you know that it is all about planning, and luck too. Ask around to your friends, your neighbours, that is your best bet to find a school that you might like. there is no way that you can visit all of them. some of them they won't let you come to visit because there is no space, but they will gladly take your money to put your child on a waiting list! sorry for the long response, but I have so much to say about that. I feel sometimes that it is all I am doing, planning for my kids future. fell free to contact me directly at doreminm@fc.celera.com. if you want to talk more about it. I hope this helped. A new French childcare in the Bay Area.. de Rossanna - 06/01/03 We are a French speaking family located in SSF,now a licenced daycare facility, welcoming children to learn or continue in the French language. We have a morning toddler program and an afternoon program. Warm, healthy meals and snacks are provided and everything focuses on French and diverse culture. For more info see the Frenchparents Yellow Pages. Thank You Creme de la creme in Sterling VA de Christine AB - 22/07/03 For those living west of DC, here is a quality childcare center that I recommend. Despite the name, it is not French but it certainly the best I have found in the neighborhood. However, as mentioned above, this kind of daycare is not inexpensive but your child will be sure to find a clean, friendly and profesionnal environment where spending the day will be enjoyable. Good Child care IS available de Magali F. - 11/03/05 I am a french woman married to an american. I am only 12 weeks pregnant and I have already signed up for a day care and my baby is all set to go in January 2006. I subscirbed to frenchparents.com and read the first email at the top about child care and i was terribly scared i wouldn't find the right childcare...yet it took me less than a week. I understand that depending where you live i nthe bay area it might be more difficult but living in Marin I assumed it would be hard. it doesn';t have to be. If you are loking for a french day care you should 1/ look in the yellow pages (where i found mine) 2/ send an email to your local alliance francaise. 3/ ask around Once i found the adress in the phone book i called the person and she sounded just like what i was looking for. I then ask local french people and some of them knew of her and gave me some info. Finally, i called the county to check on her licence and see if anyone had complained. As far as the cost, it is significant $300 a week. However, she doesn';t take three months off but only two weeks. While it is a significant impact on my finances (this is 50% of my paycheck), it seems to me that expecting someone to look after your children, which is difficult, tiring more so than a regular work, for a smaller sum of money is unrealistic. We get lunch breaks, paid vacations and benefits (at least some) and they get none of that (mine does charge for the 2 weeks she is off, which seems fair to me since i get the same from my employer). But more importantly i don;t think we should send the message out there that finding a day care is impossible, because it isn't. it just requires some planning and organization and being positive! Also if anyone needs childcare around San rafael she has opening (2 I think) soon. let me know if you need her info French Chilcare in Morgan Hill! de laila S - 22/05/08 I am base in Morgan Hill and yes i just open a French Chilcare & Pre-School I have 10 years experience with childrens . I am license and fingerprinted. A bientot!                                            Répondre

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