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Message |
    
Pure
Citizen
Username: Pure
Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:25 pm: | 
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I am posting again, as I didn't get any response the first time around.
My 2-1/2 yr old daughter will be starting pre-school in September at South Orange Country Day School. She will be going there two half-days a week. As both my husband and I work full time and my nanny doesn't drive, are there any pick-up or drop off services available? I believe there is a lady that does this, but she charges $25 per day which is too expensive for us and it adds up to more than the school fees itself!! Also, if there are any other parents out there whose kids go to the same school, would you mind having some car-pooling arragements with us?
Desperately need some advice on this!
Thanks. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1552
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:28 pm: |
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I don't know of any services, but perhaps the school could help hook you up w/ someone?
good luck |
Pure
Citizen
Username: Pure
Post Number: 6
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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Thanks doulamomma. I did ask the school first, and they were the ones that suggested the lady that charges $25.00. So, I am asking around now to see if anyone has heard of or used alternative services...
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kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1284
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 6:03 pm: |
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How did you choose this school/nanny combination?
Any stand-alone transportation service is going to be pricey.
You might consider changing schools (finding one within walking distance of your house) or nannies (finding one that drives.)
This "planning ahead" is a vital part of parenting and it doesn't get any easier for another 16 years! |
Pure
Citizen
Username: Pure
Post Number: 7
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 6:08 pm: |
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kmk, I chose this school cos this was the only one that would take my daughter at the age that she is in and also has a very good reputation. Unfortunately where we are located, we are not close to any schools whatsoever, in fact this is the closest school and is still not walking distance! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1558
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 8:04 pm: |
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Would a car service work? Seems like it would have to be much less than $25. Maybe a car seat could be left at school & your nanny could get to the school & then take a car service home.
I know nothing of the jitney routes or where you live, but it seems that (if I recall), the school isn't that far from Mountain station - maybe the nanny could take the train (with your child) to SO or Maplewood train station & then jitney from there? or walk from there if close enough. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5375
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:14 pm: |
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What part of South Orange do you live in? There are a couple of buses that go within a couple of blocks of the school. As doulamomma mentioned, the train is right there. I think doula has a good idea. Maybe have a car service bring your nanny there to pick up your daughter? I think it might be difficult to find someone to do this for less then $20 a trip. Another thought, does the school still give out a class list with the contact information of the other parents? If one of the other students lives near you maybe the parent or caregiver of a child living by you would be willing to help you out |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8052
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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Maplewood Taxi drives nannies & kids all the time. The fare from the train station to my house is about $7, so it should be nowhere near $25 per trip.
Oh, how do I know this, you ask? Because on more than one occassion, I have called to have a taxi pick me up at the train station, only to find a nanny and a couple cranky kids in the car or we "swing by" after he picks me up to get them from the Y. It annoys the hell out of me every time. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1610
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 5:49 pm: |
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Pure,
My nanny used to have this problem with our synagogue preschool. She generally took my daughter there and back in a taxi, and either left the carseat at school and walked back to our house or elsewhere, or brought a book and read for the 2-3 hours that preschool lasted. Much less expensive than the options you mentioned.
In good weather they sometimes walked (with stroller?), but the uphill home was a pain. When I could, I did the drop-off and went into work a bit late, both to save a few bucks and to get a chance to say hello to the teachers and fellow parents.
Sometimes my nanny made friends with other (driving) nannies and was able to arrange a routine lift (with the payback of an occasional pizza lunch out of our petty cash).
KMK, don't know whether you meant it to be, but your remark about "planning ahead" sounded really snotty...we have many reasons for choosing the nannies and preschools that we do. As it happens, the driving nannies that I interviewed had weekly starting salaries about $100 a week higher than the non-driving nanny I hired (who is too good to get rid of over driving issues). The cost of taxi service a few times a week was definitely less than the cost (mental and financial) of changing nannies. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14722
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
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Those are really good suggestions, susan1014.
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