Mom Seeking Child Care in Downtown Detroit Area

My coworker uses the childcare center in the Macnamara federal building (cass and michigan avenue) she is happy with the center for her infant and toddler.

I would check into the wayne state childcare- I toured the facility as part of my child psych class and it seemed pretty nice... it was a while back when I was in college.

I looked at lots of daycare centers - I didnt find anything I liked so we ended up with an in home nanny- $10 an hour is the going rate for a nanny- daycare centers are cheaper- but the infants dont get much attention...

Hi B. -

I live in New Center Area in Detroit and spent a lot of time looking for child care. I didn't have much luck finding in-home child care but I do know of a few child care centers. Because you have a 2 year old and a 4 week old, it is tough. Wayne State has two centers that come highly recommended but I am not sure how young they take. I think it is 1 year. One of them is called Merril Palmer, and not sure what the other is called. Check at Wayne's website, at wayne.edu. I checked the Detroit Medical Center Childcare (I think it is called something else, but just call DMC). I thought it was pretty good. Worth checking into. Also, the YMCA is opening a childcare center in August, at the Boll Family Center, right downtown. Also downtown, I think there is a center in the Compuware building. There are a couple in New Center Area but I didn't like either one. At one of them, they make the child sit in there high chair, or watch tv after their one nap from 1-3. The other, the workers really had no idea what schedule they should be following. I think there is also a daycare at the old Wayne County building (or city building) downtown. I work in Ann Arbor so I went with a center in Livonia, half way between work and home. It is called Livonia Little Tots and I am so happy. For my sons first year we had a nanny. We paid $10 per hour for the nanny and now at the center we pay about $50 a day. The centers I looked at, for one child, ranged between $35 and $55 per day. If you work in the health field, you may be able to take your children to the Henry Ford Hospital Childcare Center. That is located in New Center area.

Well, best of luck to you. I went through this and it is so difficult. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.

take care,
T. Z.

My five-month old goes to Rainbow Child Development in the New Center area--they also have a location in the Ren Cen. I've been very pleased with the experience I have had there.
You may also want to look into A Children's Place in Midtown (near Wayne State) and Kids Place (I think that's what it's called) in the County Building on Randolph.

B.-

I suggest Rainbow Child Development Center in the Renaissance Center. I send my 1 year old there who has been going since she was 7 months old. I was very paranoid about day care centers, but I must say this place is the best. If we have another child, I would even consider putting the child there even earlier than 7 months. Opens at 6:30 and pick up at 6:15pm. Tell them Skylar Smith's mom- S. referred you if you decide to do a preview. If you have any further questions you may email me at ____@____.com Good Luck!

There's a place called Kid's Space in the Old Wayne County building. I had my son there when he was about 2 & I LOVED it! It's been a while (back when they were call Wayne County Kids Space) about 5 years so I don't know if it's the same but it's worth checking out.

Good Luck.