As the holidays approach, it’s exciting to think about our vacation and time off to celebrate with our family and friends. Unfortunately, our work schedules don’t always align with our kids’ school breaks which can extend anywhere from a couple weeks to over a month. It can be a challenge trying to find help while balancing work and other responsibilities. As a single parent, this can feel overwhelming. However, there are a lot of resources available- you just need to know where to look and get creative! So, let’s talk about some child care options this winter.
Make sure to keep two important things in mind when looking for child care this time of year: availability and cost. First, it’s important to start looking into child care early since demand is high. Many programs and caregiver’s schedules fill up fast and need to know numbers ahead of time to staff accordingly. Second, the cost of child care is very high which can be extremely hard on single parents. Make sure to research what the most cost effective form of child care is for you and your budget.
Winter Break Child Care Ideas
- Check out the YMCA for holiday camps and other child care services that are offered. Look into your nearest location to see what programs you can sign up for in advance. Many locations also allow a 24 hour notice which is extremely helpful for last minute arrangements. Make sure to also look into the financial aid or fee sliding schedule that the YMCA offers for low income parents!
- Get connected with high school or college students on winter break. Students are always looking for a way to make a little extra money during school breaks. Discuss payment with the sitter ahead of time to make sure the price fits your budget.
- Don’t know any students? No problem! Look into apps and websites to get connected with babysitters or nannies. Here are a couple examples:
- Care.com is an app designed for people to find care in a range of areas including child care, pet care, and more.
- Nanny Poppinz is a website designed for parents to find and connect with nannies that fit the style of child care they need.
- Explore “nanny sharing” with other families. Pay the sitter a higher hourly rate and split the cost with another family. This can end up being slightly cheaper than hiring your own sitter and is a great way for your kids to get socialization with other kids while also receiving proper care.
- Check out Family Child Care Centers. These centers provide care for smaller groups of children out of the caregiver’s home. Regulations and pricing vary by location, so make sure to research that while looking for centers in your area.
It can be overwhelming to think about finding child care during this time of the year. As a single parent, you may feel on your own. Remember that there are a ton of options and resources available, and don’t be afraid to get creative! Plan accordingly and have a wonderful winter time!
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