how do you get affordable child care?

Question

I live in worcester ma and am looking for afordable child care for 3 days. right now mulberry child care is offering for one child 250 dollars for 3 days a week. I am making a little more then minimum wage 8.50 an hour I just can't afford this and if i don't work i will be on the streets with a baby. I am ready to cry as I have no support to help me with my child and no way to pay for care and bills from work. She is 2 years old and needs to be watched for 3 days between 8:30 and 5:30 as I comute a long way to work.
I am at wits end and please I am asking for solutions or alternatives to child care. Some way to subsidise it or a creative way to get around it.

Answer 1

You could look in the paper or put an ad in the paper yourself. Just be sure to really screen the people. Also, you could check out some home day cares. Contact Child Care Connections for a referral and they may offer or know how you can get some assistance.

Child Care Connection (Details)
(Average Rates)
100 Grove St., Ste. 102
Worcester, MA 01605

Phone: [phone]
Toll Free: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.cccfscm.org

Answer 2

Check with your local family and child services or welfare department. If you are a low income working parent then chances are you might qualify for child care tuition assistance. It is part of the effort to keep people off welfare, so the state helps pay for child care so that parents can work. If your county or state does not offer this program, then still check with them for a list of licensed child care providers. They should have a list of references for affordable child care.

If these options don't work out for you, check with some of the larger churches in your area, especially the ones that have schools. Many of them may have day care available. Also the YMCA or Salvation Army in many cities have day care centers. Your local United Way may also be able to give you some references or financial aid temporarily until you can find something more affordable.

And last, but not least, ask your employer. Some employers have contracts with nearby child care centers and offer discounts if you use certain recommended child care facilities. I live in Atlanta and those type of discounts are very common here.

Good luck... I know your struggles... been there, done that, and even though I make good money now, I still have to have family help with the kids sometimes. I even had to leave a really great job a couple of years ago because I did not have adequate child care.

Answer 3

I live in Texas and we have two programs in this state that as long as you work 30-40 hours a week or are a full time student they will watch your children free of charge. If you qualify usually single parents making minimum wage do so you might want to cheak and see if there are any similar programs in your state. Ours are Parent Child Incorporated for 3-5 and Avance for NB-3 Good Luck

Answer 4

Find out if you qualify for day care assistance - from your local social services department. They will not only help pay your fees - but you will be on a sliding payment scale. You could either be getting free day care, or just have to pay a portion of it.

I would find out about that - first. Just remember, with any day care, you get what you pay for. The better ones will charge more. I always recommend day care centers that are licensed, as they can be charged by social services if they do something wrong. And - you're better off finding out about their history. When starting a new day care center, ask the center who their licensing agent is - and call the agent. They will tell you the history of complaints against the center.

Answer 5

have you tried to find home day care? My son is 2 he'll be 3 in Nov and I have him in a home day care and I only pay 40 a week or 80 2-wk now that took a load off of me because there were alot of expensive daycare facilities,but try to find a home care- look in the paper the classified- 250 is entirely too much- have you tried going to human resources and applying for a daycare voucher? as long as you work and can prove it and/or if you go to school you are eligible

Answer 6

I'm sorry things are so hard right now. Can you move in with another single mom and create a family situation where the kids can be watched by each mom when the other is working? Can you bring your daughter to work? Can you switch to becoming a day care provider yourself?

It's terrible that we struggle so in America, whereas in Europe, there are 3 years of paid parental leave for moms. There, kids and moms are valued. Here, they pay us lip service and leave us to struggle on our own.

Answer 7

day care is really risky for toddlers less than 5 yrs previous and this is extra extra risky for toddlers less than 12 months previous. there is not low-priced newborn care because the wear and tear executed to our childrens will be so wide, in social skills, mind, and emotional properly=being, that the cost is sky-severe.

Answer 8

See if you can swap babsitting services with a friend. I knew a lady that traded babsitting for trips to the grocery store (she didn't drive). See if there is a reliable senior in your area that will trade rides for babysitting.

Answer 9

depending on how old you are you might be able to find child care that helps young/teenage mothers. but if i were you i would call the baby's father and tell him to help u out.

Answer 10

you cant make a sentenance with affordable and kids in it.