Cost of living: Baltimore

amother

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 9:57 am

Looking into moving to Baltimore, and would like to hear more about cost of living.

Realistically, how much of a tuition break do schools give? Making under 100k as a family of 5.

How much is average to pay for a babysitting group? Have a child who will be 2.

From my understanding, there are no breaks for preschool, is that right? If so, from what age do they give breaks?

amother

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 10:47 am

potato kugal wrote:

Age breaks start at 5 (year before first grade - not the birthday). If both parents work, you can get vouchers for school.

Thanks! What do you mean by vouchers?

amother

Moccasin

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 11:10 am

amother OP wrote:

Thanks! What do you mean by vouchers?

Child care scholarship program

https://earlychildhood.marylan.....ogram

Last edited by amother on Thu, Mar 16 2023, 1:34 am; edited 1 time in total

amother

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 12:21 pm

potato kugal wrote:

Child care scholarship program

https://earlychildhood.marylan.....ogram

Thanks so much. And all the schools accept it?

how much does it end up shaving off tuition?

amother

Moccasin

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 12:25 pm

amother OP wrote:

Thanks so much. And all the schools accept it?

how much does it end up shaving off tuition?

Not all schools accept it.

Last edited by amother on Thu, Mar 16 2023, 1:34 am; edited 2 times in total

amother

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 12:32 pm

potato kugal wrote:

Not all schools accept it. It pays the whole thing for me.

Do you mind sharing where you send to?

amother

Moccasin

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 12:34 pm

amother OP wrote:

Do you mind sharing where you send to?

Last edited by amother on Thu, Mar 16 2023, 1:35 am; edited 2 times in total

amother

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 12:37 pm

potato kugal wrote:

Bais Yakov

Cool thanks! Am looking for info on the boys schools for now, but this was super helpful. Really appreciate it!

amother

Mintgreen

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 2:49 pm

Cost of living will drastically vary depending where you live. Some areas the houses cost much more than other.

The schools do work with you for tuition breaks. I did hear younger grades can get vouchers in Bais Yaakov, but they don't give any tuition breaks until 5s-the year before 1st. Bnos does give tuition breaks for 4s-2 years before 1st grade. Bnos does have a minimum they expect parents to pay per kid.

Both TA and TI give breaks as needed. I can't give you exact amounts.

Most of the tuition information is on the schools' websites.

Childcare and playgroups close very early. The cost has gone up. I paid $300 for 2s (3 years ago) for a half day program and $500 for a legal full day 3s program (2 years ago)

amother

Darkblue

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 3:06 pm

amother Mintgreen wrote:

Childcare and playgroups close very early. The cost has gone up. I paid $300 for 2s (3 years ago) for a half day program and $500 for a legal full day 3s program (2 years ago)

prices have gone up for playgroups a lot.
for next year 9-2, people are quoting $450 for 2yr olds! as opposed to about $400 this current year.

amother

Snow

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 4:09 pm

I don't know much about vouchers but it doesn't seem like they are so easy to get.
I think a very small percentage of frum preschool kids are using vouchers.
Your budget is tight.
The schools have been good to us. They want to see 2 things: 1) you are bringing in as much parnassa as possible 2) you are living within your means.

mha3484

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 4:13 pm

Also Baltimore is a big carpool town. No bussing. So factor that into your expenses. Time in the car, gas or being in a paid carpool if you need.

amother

Mintgreen

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 4:23 pm

Quote:

prices have gone up for playgroups a lot.
for next year 9-2, people are quoting $450 for 2yr olds! as opposed to about $400 this current year.

Exactly. I was quoting what I paid 2 and 3 years ago to show what it was then.

amother

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 4:44 pm

amother Darkblue wrote:

prices have gone up for playgroups a lot.
for next year 9-2, people are quoting $450 for 2yr olds! as opposed to about $400 this current year.

Woah! 9-2 is a really short day. I do 9-3 now and it’s a huge difference - what do full time working parents do?

amother

Pewter

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 5:21 pm

amother OP wrote:

Woah! 9-2 is a really short day. I do 9-3 now and it’s a huge difference - what do full time working parents do?

It's a major issue for FT working parents. There are a few daycares that are open extended hours, or people hire a nanny or babysitter share. Or hire a post sem girl take kids to school.

amother

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 5:35 pm

amother Pewter wrote:

It's a major issue for FT working parents. There are a few daycares that are open extended hours, or people hire a nanny or babysitter share. Or hire a post sem girl take kids to school.

Do you have any leads for extended hours groups? Even till 3/3:30 would be a huge help

aussie2

Tue, Dec 27 2022, 9:37 pm

There are definitely morahs that do extended until 3. However, as someone else mentioned playgroups here close very early. Most playgroups that I know of have been full since sukkos already for next year.. You could get on a waiting list and often ppl pull out later on because of a move/job change etc.. but really no guarantee that you would find a 2 year old playgroup with extended hours that has space for next year..