For many parents, summer presents a big challenge: with school out, they need to find safe and affordable child care---fast!
The challenge? Finding childcare that fits
the budget,
the schedule, and
provides loving care.
Instead of defaulting to expensive childcare options, this summer consider these affordable alternatives. Not only do they save money but they also ensure your children have a summer filled with memorable experiences.
1. Plan Playdates
With the Carefully app, you can easily organize fun playdates and meetups and connect with parents—whether they're at work, in your neighborhood, or across town. Finding the right time and place has never been easier, so your little ones can play, and you can build your parenting village.
2. Join or Create a Babysitting Co-op
Team up with neighbors to share child care duties by joining or creating a babysitting co-op!
A babysitting co-op is essentially a group of parents who come together to formally rotate caregiving responsibilities — instead of hiring a babysitter for money, participants “pay” each other by taking turns caring for the children.
It’s a little more organized than simply trading one-for-one babysitting services since a co-op typically exists during pre-set hours and days of the week. This works best when more families are involved, and it's worthwhile once it is up and running!
3. Stagger Your Work Schedules
Coordinate vacation days with your partner to reduce childcare expenses. By overlapping your time off or taking vacations in turns, you can eliminate the need for paid child care for significant periods.
4. Ask for Flextime
If it suits your situation, consider discussing flextime with your employer. Flextime lets you adjust your work hours, which can help cut down on childcare needs. It's a practical option worth exploring to balance work and family responsibilities effectively.
5. Add a Care Circle
Care circles provide a supportive framework where families come together to exchange childcare services through a bartering system. This mutual arrangement not only helps families save money but also fosters trusted relationships within the community.
Care circles come in many shapes and sizes, but what they all have in common is bringing families together for mutual support with childcare through a bartering system that allows families to save money while having a trusted connection to care for their kids.
Learn how to Add a Care Circle to your Childcare Plan
