hi there! just a note to say that i brought my son to the playgroup at the y a few times and it's quite nice and comparably inexpensive! $45 ($40 for members) for 2 hours and it's offered on a first-come-first-serve drop-in basis so u don't have to worry about commitment. half the times we were late arriving there coz my son was probably crying or sleeping or something but they still let u in as long as the quota is not reached (30 non-member kids).
as i'm expecting in about 4 weeks i transferred my son (20 months) to one of their other programs: toddlers world, and it's working out quite well for me too as this program allows helpers to look after the kids.
anyways, hope this helps....
ggrizzy