Childcare Questions

Hi J.,
I didn't read through the responses so this may have already been suggested but maybe you could hire a sitter to come to your house. Maybe a college student that needs extra money. I think there is a website (sitter.com or something) that has students. Since you don't know if you will work until the morning of maybe you could for sure hire her and then if you don't work maybe you could do other errands (grocery store, doctor appts. ect). That way she could earn some money and you could get some things done without your daughter.
Chris

Do you know any moms that are stay at home moms and are home already anyway? Maybe even someone that is a SAHM and their kids are in school. Maybe they would be willing to take her as needed since they are home anyway to make a couple extra bucks that they wouldn't get otherwise....

I've used a site before called www.care.com. They have many child carers in your area that will want to work many different hours. Maybe you could find someone who can fit into your schedule. You can also post your own profile on there so child carers looking for work can find you. It helped us when we were in a tight stop.

I run a small in home daycare and I take part time & drop ins. check out my website:

www.lilstarsmontessori.com

I am a licensed provider and although you probibly know this already but for those who don't... The reason a lot of people won't accept what is refered to as "part time drop ins" is for planning sake. If I have 6 spaces open (max a single person can be licensed for with no helpers) I want to fill those spaces with full time kids on a schedule. I can charge full time prices and schedule more fun stuff since I know what ages, abilities, and likes I have thru out the day... Its business. Drop ins are the unplanned here and there kids.

I may be an exception to the rule... I do not fill all my spaces on purpose. There are those of us out there. I have 3 part time kids (after school)... Full time during summer...

Get ahold of your local 4C office. They can give you a list of all the providers in your target area that have openings and accept part time/ drop ins.

Legally, (I hear they are in the long drawn out bureacratic process of changing the current laws) NOONE can care for an unrelated child more than (If I remember correctly) 5 days a YEAR with out being licensed... But that does not mean much. :-) Ask your neighbors, friends, etc. There may be a grandma out there somewhere that would love a few extra bucks and cuddles from a munchkin... BUT if you are accepting or applying for childcare assistance then the person needs to be licensed.

Keep calling around and you may stumble on an exception. :-)