Tips for getting temporary childcare before day care spot opens up

[Anonymous]

I anticipate that we will be in a situation where we don't have a spot in our preferred childcare center before I have to go back to work. What are the best options for temporary care? Joining a nanny share seems like a great option, but I worry that joining and leaving in a matter of months, once we can put DC in daycare, is unfair to the other family and nanny. How do people deal with this? (First timer, if that wasn't obvious )

Appreciate the advice!

[Anonymous]

Call around to other childcare centers.

You should have been on at least 3 lists before you needed care.

[Anonymous]

Look for a nanny who also needs something temporary. Maybe she's pregnant, maybe she took a semester off school, etc. If you're honest about your needs it'll be fine

[Anonymous]

Nanny shares are too hard to come by and too precious once you're in. Just hire a temporary babysitter and be honest.

It is really hard for you to go from a nanny in your home to dragging your baby out of the house for daycare but just be prepared.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I'm on the waitlist for 5 daycares (and have been since 6 weeks pregnant), just not optimistic we'll get it to any in time.

For those suggesting a short term babysitter or nanny, where would you suggest posting, aside from DCUM?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

As soon as you have the baby call your centers and ask where you are on the waitlist and if they have some sort of estimate how far away a slot will open. Then based on that info decide what you'll do next (I presume you'll be on leave). I went on 5 lists when I was 20 weeks pregnant with some federal priority at a couple. We called when DS was born and the best odds at that point was when he was 1. We did a nanny share since that was 8 months from when my leave ended. We just called the center with our best odds and they think realistically it will be more like 16-18 months when he gets a spot. I'm glad we did the nanny share because he will get consistent care for a while. Only thing that shocked us is that even with a share it was much more expensive than the day care centers we looked at. But our nanny is great and this has worked out well in many ways.

[Anonymous]

Go on Sittercity, Care or Urbansitter and look for someone who is willing to take on a temp job.

Perhaps they will be in-between jobs or just need some temporary extra hours to pay a big debt like if their car just broke down, etc.

It will give you a smaller pool of available Nannies but it won't be impossible.

I have done temporary jobs before.