I am looking for child care options in the area. Probably for 2-3 days a week starting in September (9a-4p). She is 6 weeks old now, and our first. So I have no idea what is out there.

Does anyone have any experience with a local provider?

Thanks!

As I had planned on dropping her off at the IKEA on Delaware avenue on Mondays and Fridays.

First of all, congratulations and I hope you're doing well. When I look back at how I was feeling with a 6-week old - I shudder! Believe me, things will be much better and much more fun in 6 months or so!

Unfortunately, options locally are pretty limited for infants. There's Bright Horizons ($300ish/week), Wan on Swain Street ($275/wk), and some in-care home options that you'd need to check out carefully because sometimes it's one person looking after 5-6 kids of different ages in a small space. We were at Greater Canaan Day care at 20th & Spring Garden ($195/wk) but left when our son was 9 months because, while he was getting lots of love, he wasn't being challenged physically (he was in a swing or in someone's arms all day) and there was quite a lot of TV in the place. That being said, it might be a place to consider if it's part time and she'll be getting lots of stimulation from you the other days of the week.

We moved him to Apple Blossom at 16th & Lombard, a new place, that's near work for me. We're very happy there - $240/week - and it's a very responsive, welcoming place. I have a feeling that the word will be getting out soon and they might have to start waiting lists, so if this if of interest, I'd go and see them now.

Good luck!

Also this website is a great resource... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fairmountparents/
There are many suggestions there for daycare.

We've been very happy to have our 2 and 3 year olds at The Caring Center at 31st and Spring Garden. They also have infant care, but there's quite a waiting list, I believe.

This place never gets mentioned here, but our son is at Young World, 18th & Fairmount. He also goes 2 days a week so that's definitely an option there.

Both of our children went to the West Philadelphia Community Center at 35th and Haverford until they started in the Bright Futures Program with the School District of Philadelphia. We found WPCC to be a very loving and warm place for our children when they were younger but wanted a little more when they got older (3-4 yrs). It's also clean and extremely affordable ($125-150 per week). You can also go to http://www.pakeys.org/ to check out all of the Pennsylvania State certified programs. The programs listed on this site receive technical assistance and professional development from state officials and are part of a 4 star rating system. Good luck!

I appreciate the help!