I Am in Desperate Need of Affordable Daycare in My Area

This is what you need to do. Click on the link below to choose the closest YWCA to you:
http://www.magicyellow.com/Chains/YWCA/IL/Cities.htm

Call that location and explain you're looking for childcare. They will connect you with that department. You give them city names and/or zip codes and they can mail you or email you a list of all daycare providers within those areas. The list cost $35 if I remember correctly but you can have the list redone as many times as you need within 1 year. They mail you the bill and they don't seem in too much of a rush to get payment. I think I didn't even get the bill for 2 months. This is an excellent way to find childcare. Just go down the list and call them, explain what you're looking for, find out if they have availability and what they charge.

I would not recommend Craigslist. You want someone who's a daycare provider and not someone who's just looking for a nanny job with little or no experience. Myself and many I know ran into more kooks on CL than anything. Plus it takes a lot of time to place the ad, wait for people to respond, contact them, etc. If you call the YWCA now you could have the list in the next 10 minutes. It's that simple.

C.,

I don't know what county you live in, but here is a link to a daycare resource: http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=euLRI7OZH&b=177294
The YWCA in dupage co. has a list of sitters nearby, and I believe can help in regards to your income with child care.
I know how difficult it can be to find daycare, and hopefully this will give you a start. I would THOROUGHLY check out any daycare provider & ask for babysitting references as well as visiting the daycare home. Keeping your little one in a pack n play all day is horrible. That person should not be watching children. I'm sorry to hear of your situation, and wish you the best.

Hi C., you may be eligible for childcare assistance through the state. Here is a website you can search through to see if you are eligible: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/applications/ChildCareEligCalc...

Also,if you do find someone through a site like Craigslist, please do check out all of their references. Not sure where you need to go for work, but I have a friend that watches kids during the day that is in Streamwood (Irving Park and Rt 59). If you would like their contact info, you can send me a note.

where do you live C.?