Suggestions and resources for working parents on how to find safe, reliable and affordable child care for after school.
It has got to be one of the most difficult dilemmas a couple can face. The kids are in school and both parents are working. If you are part of the majority of people who work the typical nine to five day, what do you do when the school day ends at 3:00 or 3:30pm? You can't leave your kids home alone for three hours until you arrive yourself around 6:00pm. You cannot keep relying on family and neighbors. You need to find safe, reliable, and affordable care for your kids, but more often than not that is easier said than done. You spend lunch hour after lunch hour making telephone calls, setting up appointments and then, even if you find something suitable you still have to worry about how your child will get from school to the child care provider everyday before you can pick them up. It can be a very stressful, nerve-racking and even frightening experience. But, what's a parent to do? In this day and age the majority of families are double income families in which both parents work and if you are one of the few that have not faced this problem then you have been exceptionally fortunate. If not, take heart, you are not alone. The good news is, there is help out there. You just have to know where to look and how to find it. As a parent myself I know you have to be very careful when choosing a child care provider. The suggestions listed below are not a guarantee that you'll find something but will hopefully eliminate some of the leg-work and time you'll have to spend in your search.
1) The first place to look is the school itself. Call your child's school. Many schools have latch-key programs where, for a reasonable fee, the children will remain at the school under the supervision of a qualified adult until the parent can come and pick them up. Some school districts even offer special activities along with these programs including snacks, library time, and supervised sports.
2) Contact your local community services providers. Many churches, synagogues and libraries either have programs or can refer you elsewhere.
3) Speak to people - other parents with children in your child's class, fellow co-workers, people at your church, neighbors. You might be surprised to find that someone you see on a daily basis might just be able to help you out.
4) Contact the Child Care Council in your area. Check the white pages of your telephone book under your particular county. Many regions have child care councils and keep updated lists of qualified people who have registered with them looking to offer child care services.
5) Speak to your employer if possible. Explain your situation. Many companies are more than willing to work with their employees. Perhaps you could vary your hours or shifts. More and more employers are even creating their own on-site child care programs. You will not know until you ask if this could be a possibility.
Above all, as parents we want our children to be safe so it is imperative for you to do what you feel is best for your child. Nothing is more important than the safety and welfare of our children, our future. Always be sure to ask for references and to follow up by checking them. When it comes to the care of your child never take the word of someone. Find out for yourself. By researching these various options and following up on them you should be able to find a child care situation that both you and your children can be comfortable with.
