Working moms have more options than ever for balancing work and family but that can create a special challenge when it comes to finding a daycare. Moms may need part time daycare because they work part time hours, have family who is willing to help provide childcare for part of the week, or because they have a flexible work arrangement that allows them to work at home for a few days a week. Whatever the reason, finding a childcare center or daycare provider who is willing to provide part time childcare, especially for an infant, can be difficult.
Challenges of Part Time Childcare
Many childcare centers and home daycare providers do not accept children who will not be attending daycare full time. Childcare centers who do accept part time hours often require parents to pay the same fee as a child who is attending childcare full time, simply to hold the spot. Providing part time childcare can be difficult for highly structured childcare centers because the irregular hours can disrupt the daily routine or upset other children who will not be picked up early or dropped off late.
Part time childcare can often make it difficult for childcare centers to earn the income that they need to remain profitable since it is unlikely that they will be able to find a child who needs care to fill the remaining hours during the week and state guidelines will not allow them to have an extra child in care simply because that child is only attending part time. State guidelines require childcare centers to limit themselves to a certain number of children in care at any given time and require a specific number of caregivers depending on the total number of children. Providing part time childcare often requires daycare centers to turn away a full time client or hire another employee to be there during the hours that a part time child needs care.
Finding Part Time Childcare
Working moms who need part time childcare face a challenge but are not without options. Finding a daycare center who will accept a part time child for care is difficult but not impossible. It will take some extra time to find a daycare center that has an opening for a part time child but in a struggling economy many daycares are willing to be more flexible than they would be traditionally.
Home based daycare providers, especially providers who are not interested in working full time hours themselves may be a good choice for working mothers looking for part time childcare. Home based daycares can often be more flexible, provided the terms are agreed upon up front, and have the ability to provide excellent childcare in a home based environment.
Family members or neighbors who are interested in earning some extra money may be a good option for working mothers looking for part time childcare. It is important to keep the lines of communication open, especially if family members are providing childcare, so working mothers can avoid frustration down the road. Family members or friends can be a wonderful option for childcare and keeps children in an environment they are comfortable with.
Working mothers who live near a local university and need flexible childcare hours have a wonderful pool of responsible childcare providers to choose from. Working mothers can call the early childhood education department of a local university and ask professors to announce a job opening or post it on a job board. College students generally have the ability to work fairly flexible hours and can provide care in the child’s home for a reasonable fee.
A working mom does not need to sacrifice quality of care in order to find part time childcare. Quality part time daycare can be found with a little bit of research and some creativity.
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