What sort of part time childcare options exist?

[Anonymous]

I am a SAHM and looking for consistent, part time, daytime care for a 16month old while older kid is in school and I have meetings (I occasionally consult in my prior field and I serve on a few volunteer committees). All the half day church preschools, co-ops, paygroups etc, don't start til age 2, so with a fall birthday kid who can't start at any of those places until September 2027, I am struggling. I understand that daycares only enroll full time clients and that makes sense. I can likely find a student for the summer months, but once September hits, I will be in a lurch again.

I had an amazing nanny that I found by chance through a random connection who did 3-4 mornings weekly, but she has to resign due to a debilitating illness. I have hit a wall trying to find a replacement. She doesn't have any leads for me, and I am also trying not to bother her much as she is processing a lot with her illness and coordinating care. Was I just incredibly lucky to find a part time nanny?

What kind of person should I be looking for? A SAHM of older kids who might want some additional income? An Au pair of ES kids who could maybe do a few mornings? Call all the small in home daycares in my area to see if any are open to a part time contract?

[Anonymous]

College student (particularly one working toward a degree in early childhood education), or other people your toddler regularly interacts acts with, like a Little Gym or swim teacher. These people are likely to have part-time, somewhat flexible schedules

[Anonymous]

I'm on a Facebook group for nanny care from when I was exploring options and I do see part time posts quite a bit. Obviously you'll have to do some screening but you might try there.

[Anonymous]

How many hours are you looking for? I joined Lifetime Fitness and send my child to the kids club for a couple hours 3-4 days a week. She loves it, it’s cheaper than a nanny and I have flexibility on times. We also looked at the St James for the same set up. Bonus: I can get a quick shower or steam in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many hours are you looking for? I joined Lifetime Fitness and send my child to the kids club for a couple hours 3-4 days a week. She loves it, it’s cheaper than a nanny and I have flexibility on times. We also looked at the St James for the same set up. Bonus: I can get a quick shower or steam in!

But don't you have to stay on site?

[Anonymous]

Mother's Day out type programs might take mid year enrollments. Montessori toddler programs start younger than 2. See if there's a homeschool group around you--homeschooled high schoolers often make great babysitters and have flexible schedules.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it was because it was brand new, but my daughter started at a daycare a few years ago that had part time enrollments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many hours are you looking for? I joined Lifetime Fitness and send my child to the kids club for a couple hours 3-4 days a week. She loves it, it’s cheaper than a nanny and I have flexibility on times. We also looked at the St James for the same set up. Bonus: I can get a quick shower or steam in!

But don't you have to stay on site?

Yes, I may have inappropriately assumed she was working from home part time. Many of these gyms have very nice areas to work.

[Anonymous]

Sahm with older kids, but you got to be in my neighborhood, let me have a day off when needed, and have an easy kid. Needing time off sounds harsh, but I hardly ever do, or I'd take the kid with me if possible.
I have a flexible part time job, but watching a child would mean more freedom of movement and more outside time.
Kid that young finds everything interesting.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you need a babysitter. People want steady work so if you want something available, you will likely need to guarantee hours even if you don’t want need them all the time.

The other thought is to make sure you schedule your appointments and meetings between 10-2 and partner with a family who is looking for the holy grail of school drop off and pick up but doesn’t need daytime hours and you take the hours in the middle.

[Anonymous]

I teach at a preschool that offers a toddler class for 18 month olds. There are a few out there if you look. Where are you located?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you need a babysitter. People want steady work so if you want something available, you will likely need to guarantee hours even if you don’t want need them all the time.

The other thought is to make sure you schedule your appointments and meetings between 10-2 and partner with a family who is looking for the holy grail of school drop off and pick up but doesn’t need daytime hours and you take the hours in the middle.

This. Find a family with a nanny in your neighborhood who works afterschool, possibly before. Make sure your hours are at least 30 minutes after school starts and a minimum of 45 minutes before school gets out. Reserve the hours you need in that time frame for as many days of the week as you need, and be prepared to pay for those hours.