What if I can't find daycare for when I have to go back to work? or afford it but need to work?

Question

What are some of my options?

Answer 1

I can't find a daycare where I am at. They are all full for kids under 2!! It is frustrating.

But if you can't afford it, I would go to the family services office and fill out the papers for state aide to help with child care.

Answer 2

As a daycare provider I know it can be hard to find childcare for an infant. That is exactly why I started my own home daycare. My degree is in childcare but after paying the daycare to watch my child while I work in the same center I would have owed them at the end of the week. My advice is start looking befor ethe baby is born. There is usually a waiting sometimes months long. Decide what features are a MUST and what things you can go without. Like do you want cameras in your child's room or is that not a neccesity. Compare prices for service. Ask around town. Word of mouth is the best judge. If someone says no that daycare always sent my baby home wet and hungry then you know you don't want your baby there. Good Luck

Answer 3

If your working obviously the state will not help you. I am starting to think about the same thing. I don't or won't just trust anyone. But when it comes down to it you gotta do what you gotta do! Daycare is too expensive! Try to find some one....a friend of the family or something like that. Make sure you trust the person you leave you child with. Can you stop by unexpectedly does you child cry non stop when you drop him off these are all signs that will help you make a decision about the baby sitter! Good Luck!

Answer 4

I worried about this same thing myself. in fact I had many sleepless nights. I really found that by asking around to other mothers that you know you can get really far. Also there are community centre postings and government agencies that can help you get statistics. I have been through all roads now. Childcare centres, home care, family. You just have to find what works for you by taking the right action and asking the right people. In terms of being able to afford it you have to first see what your daycare expenses will be and then base that on how much you can make working and see what will profit you and your baby more. Good luck with your desicions and remember where there are children there will always be people willing to watch them.

Answer 5

I know how you feel. This is stressful. I live in on the outskirts of DC so my daycare costs are around $1300 a month (and that's pretty standard for here)...it's hard because I can't afford the daycare, but I have to get daycare because I have to work! It's very tough...

Do you have any friends or family members that you can pay to watch your child? Or check out at home child care (instead of the regular facility child care) often child care that is run out of someone's home is much more affordable...but just be sure to check up on them first! Ask for references and call around.

It's a very tough thing...I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 6

Talk with your local health department or welfare department...there are programs in most states for working mothers to get free/low cost daycare for their children while they're on the job. That's really the best option I can offer you, besides seeing if a relative or friend can keep the kid. Good luck!

Answer 7

To find a daycare in your area check out http://www.daycarebear.com . You can get current oepnings and filter according to the maximum dialy rate you're able to pay. It also gives you the daycare with which you'll be eligible to some kind of financial aid...

Answer 8

Are you married? If so, stay home. I quit a great income to stay home and never regretted it. If you're a single mom, do you have relatives that could help? Do you know someone who would watch your child and you'd help them out after work, e.g. baby sitting. Does your job offer daycare or can you find one that does?

Answer 9

Well you can try to state assistance or find a babysitter instead of doing daycare.

Answer 10

You could hire a nanny, a good friend maybe who is willing to help you out for a certain amount of time. You could also see if you could change shifts, or you could question your boss about a " Work From Home" program.