Group Discussions

Help! Home Daycare Question (also posted on Q&A)

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  For those of you who take your child to home daycare, what do you do when the provider is unavailable? I ask because we have a g-r-e-a-t provider who takes awesome care of our little guy. My hubby and I both work 40+ hours, where we have a set schedule (clinic), and so trying to adjust when the provider is unavailable can be challenging. (Most recently, I took mornings off and my hubby took afternoons off and we'd switch at midday. However, most days we have scheduled appts all day long.)
  
  
  
  Recently, my boss told me that I needed a plan B. We are away from family and our neighbors work. Is the answer a more structured daycare where the provider can't call in sick? Or nanny? My guess is that there are moms on this site who've had similar problems and I am very curious how you solved it! Thanks!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by KC on 8th January 2008
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  Hi,
  
  
  
  It so tough when it comes to daycare, nanny, sitter etc.. I was lucky to have a Nanny that was AMAZING and never called out and when she had something to do, she always gave me advance warning and my mom would fill in. Being away from family is tough too.
  
  Do you know of any college students that you can call?
  
  
  
  I think about if I had to go back to work(which I might have to) I may do daycare. I like the idea of more than one person caring for your child and the social interaction the children have with eachother. Is there one that you could call and do day visits when your sitter is unavailable or do 3 days with the sitter and 2 days at a daycare?
  
  
  
  Good luck.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 9th January 2008
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  sometimes some of the bigger daycare centers will allow you to sign up for 'emergancy' care or like whenver you need it. my SIL had this when she was working at home so that when she needed to actually have a meeting outside of the home or be on an important call she could take the kids to the daycare on an as needed basis. they loved it because they got to play with other kids! not sure how it works from a sign up and cost perspective though...

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kate on 9th January 2008
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  When my 10 year old was 2.5, I left the home daycare that he was in for 2 years and put him in a La Petite. I had started my first post-college job, and didn't have sick time for 3 months and no vacation for 6 months. I also had a 45 minute commute and the longer hours at the center helped. He adjusted pretty quickly, and the lady we left filled her opening quickly, so the guilt wasn't too awful. I guess it's a matter of which area you need the greater peace of mind in: a caregiver you are familiar with, or knowing you have dependable childcare. (However, my current situation is flexible enough that my 3 yo is in a home daycare now).
  
  
  
  Also, in my area we have a drop-in center. If I remember, KC, you have a baby and I think this particular place only takes preschool and older. Still, you might look into whether there are drop-in centers in your city that you can use for back-up. http://www.kidspark.com/

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 9th January 2008
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  A lot of daycares seem willing to take "emergency" drop-ins. Also, if you are friendly with any of the other families in your home daycare situation, perhaps one of the other parents also affected by the daycare closure could take your child for the day. I've taken one of my son's daycare friends when our daycare has been closed (my job is fairly flexible time-wise) and it's worked out great. The other parents were still able to go to work and my son had a friend to play with all day.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by heels on 14th January 2008