| Whether you work full-time, part time, or from | | | | additional money watching other children as well. |
| home, arranging for childcare can be a challenge. | | | | Make sure you follow all the laws of your location |
| Even stay at home moms need childcare | | | | and that you are fully licensed and insured before |
| sometimes, and face the challenge of finding a | | | | caring for other children. |
| safe, affordable method of child care. Even if you | | | | 3. Swap babysitting with friends. If you have a |
| just need some time away, or a kids-free date | | | | friend with kids of a similar age, take turns |
| night with your spouse, affordable child care is an | | | | watching the kids one day or night a week. This |
| important issue. Following are some creative | | | | gives you time to work or play without added |
| childcare solutions, designed to keep your kids | | | | expense. This works best if the kids are of the |
| safe, and save you money as well. | | | | same age, and get along well. |
| 1. Use a home daycare provider. If you know | | | | 4. Start a babysitting co-op. Gather a group of like |
| someone who provides daycare services at | | | | minded parents, and form a co-op. This requires a |
| home, you may be able to save a bit, and have | | | | little more planning, but can pay off well in the |
| your child in a more home-like atmosphere while | | | | long run. Parents earn "credit" by babysitting, and |
| you work. Make sure any home care provider | | | | use credits to pay for childcare. |
| you are considering is licensed. | | | | 5. Share a nanny. If you work part time, or at |
| Benefits to home daycare include the home | | | | home, and need childcare on a regular basis, |
| environment, fewer children per caretaker, and | | | | consider sharing a nanny with another family. |
| usually lower costs. Drawbacks to home daycare | | | | Together, you can offer a high quality professional |
| include vacations and sick days-if your provider is | | | | childcare worker full time work and wages, |
| ill, there isn't another person to fill in, and you may | | | | without incurring the full cost. Make sure you |
| be stuck finding help at the last minute. | | | | work out a schedule in advance, and that all |
| 2. Make child care your job. If you are working full | | | | legalities are observed. You may be able to work |
| time, but barely making enough to cover childcare, | | | | with a nanny agency to set up a flexible part time |
| consider offering care in your home. You will be | | | | arrangement as well. |
| with your kids all day, and be able to earn some | | | | |