Comments on: Summer Camp In The Neighborhood: How To Get A Collective Of Parents Together To Save A Ton Of Money On Daycare During The Summer http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sandy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-563547 Sandy Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:06:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-563547 While I never did this in our neighborhood, a group of friends got together with our about 3 year olds, and formed a cooperative preschool. We had 4 moms and 4 3 year olds, 3 of the moms had younger babes. So, while 2 moms were teaching, the other 2 babysat the younger ones. We met once per week for the school year. It's really easy and cheap to do, once you make sure that everyone contributes $10 or so for basic supplies for the year. We learned our colors, learned songs, had outdoor play/explore time in all weather except bitter cold, read stories, and of course, snack time (the color of the food matched the color we learned about that day (strawberries for red, pea pods for green, etc...). My daughter loved it, and I reckon it saved us each over $500 in preschool costs. While I never did this in our neighborhood, a group of friends got together with our about 3 year olds, and formed a cooperative preschool.
We had 4 moms and 4 3 year olds, 3 of the moms had younger babes. So, while 2 moms were teaching, the other 2 babysat the younger ones.
We met once per week for the school year. It’s really easy and cheap to do, once you make sure that everyone contributes $10 or so for basic supplies for the year. We learned our colors, learned songs, had outdoor play/explore time in all weather except bitter cold, read stories, and of course, snack time (the color of the food matched the color we learned about that day (strawberries for red, pea pods for green, etc…).
My daughter loved it, and I reckon it saved us each over $500 in preschool costs.

]]> By: kc http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-176137 kc Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:11:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-176137 While a week would be a little exhausting, that could probably be eased by having each parent take 2-3 days off. That way there's still a responsible adult to supervise the teenagers that are babysitting. m360 made a good point about people backing out when it's their week. Ideally, these would be people you know well and trust (after all, they're watching your children!). However, if there's already a "let's not sue each other" legal document, I can see requiring a $50 deposit for each child, refundable as soon as you finish "your" week. While a week would be a little exhausting, that could probably be eased by having each parent take 2-3 days off. That way there’s still a responsible adult to supervise the teenagers that are babysitting.

m360 made a good point about people backing out when it’s their week. Ideally, these would be people you know well and trust (after all, they’re watching your children!). However, if there’s already a “let’s not sue each other” legal document, I can see requiring a $50 deposit for each child, refundable as soon as you finish “your” week.

]]> By: Stu Mark http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-63574 Stu Mark Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:40:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-63574 This post on communal daycare was nominated for Hot Stuff Of The Week by our readers at <a href="http://www.gnmparents.com" rel="nofollow">GNMParents</a>. Congrats, and good luck in the voting! This post on communal daycare was nominated for Hot Stuff Of The Week by our readers at GNMParents. Congrats, and good luck in the voting!

]]> By: m360 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-58390 m360 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:18:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-58390 It's interesting that you mentioned a legal document. Having a disclaimer is essential if you are going to do something like this. It's sad but we've become so sue happy, people are always looking to blame someone else for everything. I feel uncomfortable babysitting friends kids nowadays, like one of my friends complained that this girl didn't change her son's diaper in the 20 she was gone, saying 'she put my kids life in danger'...Maybe there are more responsible parents in your community. I would be worried that some parents would be all for the idea of getting a week of free daycare but when it comes time to do their share they would make up excuses or make themselves unavailable. I think that it would be wise to charge each family something like $50 a week to prevent this or at least help to ease the blow if you have to cut your losses. It’s interesting that you mentioned a legal document. Having a disclaimer is essential if you are going to do something like this. It’s sad but we’ve become so sue happy, people are always looking to blame someone else for everything. I feel uncomfortable babysitting friends kids nowadays, like one of my friends complained that this girl didn’t change her son’s diaper in the 20 she was gone, saying ’she put my kids life in danger’…Maybe there are more responsible parents in your community. I would be worried that some parents would be all for the idea of getting a week of free daycare but when it comes time to do their share they would make up excuses or make themselves unavailable. I think that it would be wise to charge each family something like $50 a week to prevent this or at least help to ease the blow if you have to cut your losses.

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-57636 Trent Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:09:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-57636 From what I understand, there were about thirty families that wanted to participate, but they whittled it down to just fourteen based on a bunch of factors - available vacation time, no major conflicts, etc. Also, I don't think that one family wanting to go on a trip for a week or two or three would disrupt this, provided that family also took their week off to manage things. It's still a huge savings for them. I would guess that at least some of the families did just that. From what I understand, there were about thirty families that wanted to participate, but they whittled it down to just fourteen based on a bunch of factors – available vacation time, no major conflicts, etc.

Also, I don’t think that one family wanting to go on a trip for a week or two or three would disrupt this, provided that family also took their week off to manage things. It’s still a huge savings for them. I would guess that at least some of the families did just that.

]]> By: PF http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-57598 PF Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:20:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-57598 The fact that this neighborhood managed to pull it off is a remarkable achievement. I'm impressed. They should write a book or start a blog or something. Well done! The fact that this neighborhood managed to pull it off is a remarkable achievement. I’m impressed. They should write a book or start a blog or something. Well done!

]]> By: Erica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-57595 Erica Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:24:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-57595 I think that's the point guinness, a suburban neighborhood putting all the competitive rubbish to one side to give the kids a summer to rememeber and save themselves a shedload in the process. It's pessimistic to assume that it would become a competition. I think that’s the point guinness, a suburban neighborhood putting all the competitive rubbish to one side to give the kids a summer to rememeber and save themselves a shedload in the process.

It’s pessimistic to assume that it would become a competition.

]]> By: guinness416 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-57586 guinness416 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:25:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-57586 I think this is a fantastic idea, but I would be concerned about passive aggressive games that often exist on suburban streets. If next year one parent/s want to go to France for three weeks does the whole scheme fall apart and do the rest of the parents end up resentful? Do all the parents on the block feel pressured to participate? Is there a healthy mix of two-earner families? The other risk is that the parent/s compare food served, activites etc and it becomes a contest. I think this is a fantastic idea, but I would be concerned about passive aggressive games that often exist on suburban streets.

If next year one parent/s want to go to France for three weeks does the whole scheme fall apart and do the rest of the parents end up resentful? Do all the parents on the block feel pressured to participate? Is there a healthy mix of two-earner families? The other risk is that the parent/s compare food served, activites etc and it becomes a contest.

]]> By: GeekMan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/comment-page-1/#comment-57585 GeekMan Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:10:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/15/summer-camp-in-the-neighborhood-how-to-get-a-collective-of-parents-together-to-save-a-ton-of-money-on-daycare-during-the-summer/#comment-57585 Interesting idea, at least for people who live in more suburban or rural areas. However, I'd like to know how the parents feel about "losing" a week of vacation/rest by having to take care of many children during their time off. If your job only allows for two weeks of vacation a year then you're suddenly "losing" half your work-free-yet-fully-paid-for time. I'm sure most parents able to participate in this summer camp feel it's worth it, and I think it's great, but I do wonder how they might feel should they later suddenly find themselves in need of paid vacation time to take care of emergencies? Interesting idea, at least for people who live in more suburban or rural areas. However, I’d like to know how the parents feel about “losing” a week of vacation/rest by having to take care of many children during their time off. If your job only allows for two weeks of vacation a year then you’re suddenly “losing” half your work-free-yet-fully-paid-for time. I’m sure most parents able to participate in this summer camp feel it’s worth it, and I think it’s great, but I do wonder how they might feel should they later suddenly find themselves in need of paid vacation time to take care of emergencies?

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