Planning for childcare may be difficult and it can take a lot of time. When making your plans, use these helpful tips:
- The benefits of 'formal' childcare: Formal childcare (such as licensed family childcare and daycare centers) can help you avoid problems like not being able to find someone to take care of your children. For example, before you started working you may have used family or friends for childcare. Parents often find that after starting a new job they can't ask family or friends anymore. After all, what happens when your sister gets sick or takes a vacation but you can't miss work?
Also, formal childcare may better prepare young children for school by offering educational programs and activities.
- Think about your daily schedule and the hours you'll need someone to care for your children. If you work from 9 to 5, you'll probably need childcare from 8-6. If you work in the evenings or on weekends, you may want to look into family (home-based) childcare. Family childcare providers may care for children during weekend and evening hours.
- If you need to use more than one childcare provider to fit your schedule, plan ahead. Avoid having time in between your providers. Does your plan cover all the hours you need? How will your children get from one childcare to the next?
- Decide you want from your childcare. For example, do you want a childcare center that offers educational activities and prepares children for school?
- Think about whether your childcare plan is stable and always have a back-up plan. Problems with your childcare may cause you to miss work or appointments. Having a plan for childcare emergencies or other times, like school vacations, can help you avoid this problem. Some questions to think about: Do you feel like you can depend on your childcare provider? Can your children go to their childcare even if they have a cold or flu?
Tools
- Plan for your childcare needs with our Planning for Childcare Checklist. The checklist can help you think about things like your work schedule, transportation for you and your child, and whether your current plan meets your needs.
- Use our Childcare Plan to find the right childcare. For example, if your mother takes care of your children now but you want to look into daycare centers in your neighborhood, you can use the Childcare Plan to help you with your plan.
