Finding Backup Child Care

Even the best plans can get interrupted from time to time, and child care arrangements are no exception. Backup plans need to be put into quick action when working parents get an early morning phone call that their child care provider won't be able to work, an announcement that your daycare plans to close for staff development training on an day you are to attend a conference, or your child wakes up too sick for daycare but you have a presentation to make. A backup child care plan requiring extended hours can also be called into play when you have a late-night meeting and your child care center closes at 6 p.m. What should you do?

Considering Options
The best backup plan is one that is set up ahead of a crisis to increase the likelihood of success and less stress for parents. Begin by gathering facts. Find out what the policies are at work for sick children and whether their is any corporate backup childcare plan or sick child care option in place. A growing number of companies are offering backup plan care as a way to decrease employee absenteeism and minimize work productivity loss due to child care situations.

For two-parent families, couples should sit down together and decide on who has better benefits, a more understanding boss, or more flexible work arrangements in the event they must stay home with a child. Some companies allow employees to work from home, make up the time, use a flex day off, or even bring their child to work. Making these decisions in advance eliminates last-minute battles over who stays home and who goes to work.

Single parents should talk with their boss, if possible, as a planning discussion only and not when there is a need to determine a recommended course of action when a parent must become the caregiver on a work day. By asking about possible arrangements or how to best handle a situation when it occurs (and anyone with children knows it is a matter of when, and not if). Having upfront conversations will also eliminate the element of surprise. If you have a computer at home, many jobs will be able to be handled from your "home office" on a short-term basis.

Check Out Schedules Ahead of Time
Before choosing your child's care provider, whether it is a family care provider, a nanny, or a daycare center, ask to see a calendar or schedule of any times off during the year you should be aware of. While daycare centers can handle a sick caregiver by shifting kids to another teacher's class during the period of illness, family caregivers or nannies are typically on their own. Many providers, however, have established a network and backup plan to avoid inconveniencing parents in the event of unexpected illness or an accident. Some have nearby caregivers who will agree to take in an extra child or two on a temporary basis and others have someone who will come to the home and fill in. While parents may find these arrangements satisfactory, they may still want to get additional information ahead of time about these backup providers so they can make sure they are comfortable with the set-up.

Daycare, Extended Care, and Drop-in Care
Even if you use a family care provider, you can enroll your child at many daycare centers on a "backup-only plan." A nominal fee may or may not be requested, but parents complete all admission paperwork and submit a child's immunization records to place in a "hold" file. If a regular provider can't work, the daycare agrees to care for your child during this period, usually at a daily rate.

While most daycare centers still keep traditional work hours and close between 6 and 7 p.m., some daycare centers are opting to maintain later hours to accommodate those parents who may not work 9-to-5. Many family care providers also offer that as an option, and some family caregivers even cater to the non-traditional working hours families. Some home providers may offer overnight care or weekend care options at reasonable rates, so it's worth checking out ahead of time.

Drop-in child care continues to gain in popularity in urban and suburban areas across the country. These centers are typically open regular daytime hours (although some may not open until 8 a.m. or later) and remain open until 9 or 10 p.m. or even later on weekends. Some drop-in centers offer Sunday care; many do not. Drop-in daycare also lets parents pre-register their children, and many require that you pay an annual registration fee. Once the paperwork has been submitted, however, you can drop your child there for backup care and also for date nights or to have adult time. The hourly rate typically charged is usually higher than what you normally pay, although that may not be true in every case.

Single parents may also opt to take their children with them when traveling on business and then placing their child in child care there. While not common, it keeps families together and finding child care when away from home may not be as hard as you may think.

Child Care When Your Child is Sick
Finding care for your sick child is harder, but not impossible, to find. Most likely, traditional child care won't be an option. While you may have a close relationship with your child's caregiver, the answer still must be "no" if your child puts other kids at risk of becoming ill as well. If the tables were turned, you wouldn't want your child exposed to a sick kid either. Desperate parents who try for the "drop-and-run" option of a sick child may find themselves let go from child care, as more and more caregivers are toughening up on rules designed to keep kids as healthy as possible.

Parents can also conduct research ahead of time to check out area hospitals and corporate daycare to see if any offer child care for mildly ill children. However, know that a child who is ill or injured will feel most comfortable and recover more quickly when at home. Neighbors, family members and friends who can sit with your child while you go to work is a preferred care option. All bets are off, however, if your child has a contagious disease that could expose others and cause health problems.

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