Just because you work at home doesn’t mean your decisions about child care providers are simple. In fact, in some ways they’re more complex. About.com’s Guide to Child Care discusses the issues all parents face when choosing child care. But work-at-home moms have additional issues to consider when deciding on child care providers.
First, determining whether you need full- or part-time child care is not always clear cut. Even if you work full-time, you may only need part-time child care.
And while the same child care providers are available to work-at-home moms as everyone else, some just don’t make as much sense. The goal for most work-at home moms is to be closer to their children, so enrolling at a full-time daycare center is a less common choice.
Everyone’s situation is a little different. Here are some child care providers to consider:
- Part-time babysitter – Having a sitter in your home only when you need help can be an efficient and economical solution, assuming you can find someone whose schedule fits yours. However, part-time babysitters usually have less training than nannies, and because they have other employment or interests, they can be less reliable.
- Full-time nanny or babysitter (live out) – If you’ve determined that you need a full-time child care provider, a caregiver in your home is probably the best option if your children are not in school yet. A nanny will keep young kids from interrupting your work and, in many circumstances, can drive children to activities or pick them up from school. Hiring a full-time child care provider eliminates the need to scramble for child care solutions during school holidays and when your child is sick.
- Full-time nanny or au pair (live in) - For most work-at-home moms, this is more child care and expense than truly needed. And many people don’t have the space or the desire to have another person living in their home. But if you take [link ul=http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/balancingworkfamily/a/travelprep.htm]business trips[/link] frequently, a live-in nanny can provide child care while you’re away.
- Relative or friend – Having grandparents or other relatives as child care providers either on a full- or part-time basis can be a winning situation for everyone, as long as expectations, parenting philosophies, and schedules are discussed in detail in advance. Along these same lines, a “kid swap” with like-minded friends (you host their kids one day, then they reciprocate) can be a great part-time solution, giving your child the opportunity for play dates both inside and outside your home.
- Pre-school – The point of working at home is to be with your child, so the idea of sending your 3 or 4 year old off to school while you stay home might seems counter intuitive. Children have the rest of their lives for school and then work, right? Maybe, but many of the academic and social skills a good pre-school can teach in just 2-3 half days a week are things your child may not learn at home.
- Daycare Center - As with a pre-school, it may be difficult to pack your child off to daycare every day when you are home. But infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers can need more attention than you are able to give if you job involves regular deadlines or frequent phone calls. Sending them to daycare, where they will make friends and engage in stimulating activities, might be the best thing for all.
- After-school care – If you need full-time child care because you must work regular business hours and your children are in school, this might be an easier (and possibly less expensive) solution than coordinating with a babysitter. Of course, one reason to work from home is to spend more time with your kids, so this probably isn’t ideal. However, the elimination of your commute may add more family time into your day. If your child’s school has a quality after-school program that accepts occasional participants, you may want to register for emergencies or busy times when you may need a little extra help.
Jennifer Wolf, About.com’s Single Parent Guide, has some great information on how to find a babysitter.
Don’t assume that because you’re home you will be able to spot all potential problems with your caregiver. You’re there, but you’re working.
Just because you are home doesn’t mean you can or should supervise your babysitter as he or she is working. This can send mixed signals to your child and interrupt your work schedule. Be sure your babysitter and your family are a good match in advance.
