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As a parent, you don’t want to scrimp on childcare. Your kid’s care and well-being are paramount to you. But at times, childcare expenses can be a bit and may not come under your budget. So it is best to be flexible with childcare and explore a variety of options before finalizing daycare. Invest in good quality service with an experienced and responsible caregiver who is also suitable for your budget.
1. Explore Your Options
While selecting a daycare for your child, look for as many options as you can. Consider your needs and budget. There are many daycare options such as in-home daycare, nanny-share, part-time babysitter or community childcare centres, etc. Choose the option which perfectly fits your childcare needs.
2. Research Your Area
The childcare costs differ from one area to another. In some localities, the cost of living is higher, so the childcare facilities also cost more. In some areas, nannies cost more than in-home childcare. So you must do thorough research in your area and other areas, and compare the different childcare costs before finalizing one for your child.
3. Check for Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Some employers have the facility of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for its employees. This enables the employee to set aside a certain tax-free amount from their paycheque for childcare. The FSA covers various expenses such as daycare, summer day camps, and preschool. This amount might not be enough to cover full-time daycare expenses but as it is tax-free, it provides a big help in the overall expense.
4. Enquire About Employers Benefits for Childcare
Many companies have special benefits for working parents towards childcare. Talk to your company’s HR to know about the schemes your company has for child care. Apart from a dependent care account, the employer offers other benefits such as child care reimbursement or discounts with local childcare providers.
5. Make a Shift in Your Work Schedule
In case you can’t afford childcare for every day, talk to your employer about shifting your work schedule. In a flexible work schedule, you can work for alternate days or go to the office for a few days a week.
6. Coordinate Work Schedule With Your Partner
Both parents can have alternate shifts or coordinated work schedules, which ensures one parent is with the child always or on certain days.
7. Take Family Members Help
If you’re living near your family, take help from them with regards to taking care of your children. You can ask the grandparents or aunts or uncles taking care of their kids to take care of your child too. Having a family member look after your child is always better than asking someone else whom you barely know to take care of your child.
8. Childcare Swap With Neighbours or Friends
If you and your friend or neighbour have a flexible work schedule, then you can work out a schedule for cooperative childcare. This is cost-free and reliable childcare with each friend taking care of kids on scheduled days.
9. Look Into Government-Funded Childcare and Development Fund
Each state or federal government has childcare and development fund for low-income group parents. Enquire about this childcare assistance program and take benefit of such a scheme.
10. Explore Free or Low-Cost Childcare Options
Certain localities have options for free or non-profit child care in the local church, community centre or YMCA or by other non-profit establishments. Enquire about such facilities and avail their benefit.
Culled from parenting.firstcry.com
