The Difficulties of Finding Reliable Childcare

I've found that as a working mother of two children that one of the most heart-anguishing duties as a parent is looking for childcare. You can look and look at the childcare available but finding a place you feel comfortable with, which also suites your pocketbook, is not easy!  Often times you’ll find a place which seems fantastic, but is too expensive.  Or in another case the facility may not have room for your child. The hours you need may not suit the provider or their hours may not suit your work schedule. Or perhaps you place your child and then he or she is miserable.  The possible complications which arise go on and on! 

Perhaps some parents walk in to the nirvana of childcare on their first attempt (and I wish all parents were that lucky!) but for those of us who spend our time worrying and stressing over where to place our children when we’re working here are a few tips I’ve learned from being out in the field.

Get the Important Questions Asked First

You can spend a lot of time finding out information about a certain childcare provider only to find out at the end that a crucial factor doesn’t match your needs. Do yourself a favor and have 3 or 4 important questions to ask first so you can know right away if this place is or is not for you.  Some examples of deal-breaker questions: “What are your hours?” “What are your rates?” “What is your discipline policy?” “What are the minimum required days my child must attend?” 

Questions along these lines may determine right away if you need to say “Thank you for your time” and then walk away to check out the next place on your list.  If you need help with what questions to ask take a look at Which Questions to Ask on Bend Parent.

Local Resources and References

The subject of finding good childcare is what inspired me to start Bend Parent in the first place!  I felt so lost trying to figure out what childcare was available in Central Oregon with my difficult time schedule that I wanted to help out other parents and make it easier for them.  So I created a reference list of childcare places around town found here at Bend Parent.

Through my searches I also came in contact with NeighborImpact. They will take time to look over your specific needs and offer up a list of suggested childcare facilities for you to try.  If those don’t work for you they tell you to come back for more options. 

Try checking the Internet for websites specifically used for reviewing. Often these websites will have reviews on a business based purely on user reviews (people like you and me).  You can learn a lot about a facility by what the general public is saying about them.

Finally, if you run into a childcare facility which cannot meet your needs, don’t be afraid to ask them to suggest someone they would trust their child with. Ask your friends and co-workers who they use or have them ask their friends. Personal references can be a treasure!

Get Creative

Sometimes your schedule and circumstances may not fit nicely into most childcare standards. In these cases you often have to get creative!  As much as it can be a hassle and time-sink, you may have to consider using more than one facility in the case of multiple children or even a different place if you work unusual hours.  You might also try asking around and checking want ads (or placing one on local bulletin boards and newspapers) for individual people wanting to do in-home childcare. 

A nanny might work for odd hours or even over-night hours (for people working graveyard shifts). While nannies are typically more expensive, consider contacting other friends in need and having them go in on the cost with you in a joint situation. For example, have both of your kids watched in one home by one nanny or childcare provider, effectively cutting the cost for you both and making it affordable.

Financial Help

If you’re having a rough time financially making the cost of childcare but can’t afford not to have it, try to get financial aid through the community.  Bend Parent has a list of Public Resources which you might qualify for.

Whoever you end up choosing, make sure to research the place or person you end up with to make sure they are skilled and qualified. Asking for references can be helpful.  It’s difficult to let others whom you barely know take care of your child, but once you find a good childcare provider the peace of mind you’ll gain will be worth the trouble!