Long Read
childcare costs in la plata: what no one tells you
so here's the thing about childcare in la plata-it's like trying to find a decent espresso in a town that only drinks mate. you know it exists, but you gotta dig for it. i moved here last year with my two-year-old, thinking "surely, a university city will have options." spoiler: it does, but they cost more than my first car.
let's start with the basics. public daycare (jardín maternal) is technically free, but good luck getting a spot unless you camp outside the municipal office. i heard of one mom who got in after 18 months on a waiting list. private options? expect to pay between 30,000 and 50,000 ars per month-that's like $30-50 usd at the "blue rate," but still a chunk of most people's paychecks here.
here's a quick breakdown:
| Type | Monthly Cost (ARS) | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Public Daycare | Free | 12-24 months |
| Private Daycare | 30,000 - 50,000 | 1-3 months |
| Nanny (full-time) | 80,000 - 120,000 | Immediate |
| Nanny (part-time) | 40,000 - 60,000 | Immediate |
now, the weather here? it's bipolar. one day it's 30°c and sunny, the next it's pouring like the sky's leaking. perfect for keeping kids indoors and testing your sanity. and if you're thinking of escaping for a weekend, buenos aires is just an hour by train-though lately the trains have been as reliable as my toddler's nap schedule.
overheard at a playground: "i switched to a nanny after my kid got sick five times in one month at daycare. worth every peso." another mom said, "i found a bilingual daycare through a facebook group-best decision ever. my kid's learning english and i'm learning patience."
if you're new here, check out local daycare reviews on yelp or join the expat parents group on facebook. also, tripadvisor's la plata forum has threads that are gold mines for insider tips.
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