For many parents the question of finding a good daycare center is one of searching for a center with best quality and the best fit for their child's personality. But for some it is a question of finding a center that is even open.
Single parents are just some of the people who are effected by this issue. In some families, both parents must work during the second or third shift and have to come up with creative means of childcare for their little ones. This typically takes on several forms:
- Parents may have older children or other family members stay with children while they sleep or in the evenining.
- Some communities offer 24 hour childcare which may have a drop-in aspect.
- Parents may have children wait in the car, or wait for them someplace within the workplace.
- When these options fail, many people turn to their community's classified ads and look for someone who can babysit.
Several of these options are less than ideal or even put the child in danger, but understandably some parents resort to having older children watch the younger out of necessity.
So what can parents do who need safe childcare for their children in the night or evening but do not know what options are available? First, parents need to access the opinions and help of those around them. There are typically other parents and families in their place of work. Especially if these families have older kids, they may be able to offer advise on where to find qualified caregivers, or even their names. Also, many communities are now coming to recognise the plight of non- 1st shift workers and are expanding their public childcare systems to accomodate these famillies.
Some families have been working during the day, and are switching to second of third shift. For these famillies another option may be to inquire at your present daycare center and see if the center itself or any of the employees are willing to offer childcare on a flexible schedule.
The important thing to remember is this-- even if you do not work when the majority of the workforce is busy, their are options for you that do not involve placing your children in a facility or person's care that you do not totally feel sure about.
For a more personal take on this topic, visit my blog post, Night Daycare.
Copyright © 2006, Carrie Henderson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright.
