Finding Child Care for the Summer

One of the biggest questions we face is the best childcare option for our kids during the summer? There are so many options: camps, daycares, in-home care to name a few but first you should ask yourself some key questions:

Determine your child’s interests
Camps: There are many to choose from– pick one or two activities your child really wants to experience.
Parks & Recreation Activities: From daily activities to weekly activities there are many activities for kids of all ages and my of these options can be very affordable.
Community Pools and Neighborhood Activities: These are great summer activities where kids can just “be a kid.”
Parents – don’t over schedule your child - factor in downtime to just hang out.

Convenience – Questions to ask
How far away is camp/activity? Do they provide transportation, with gas prices it is something to consider.
Does the camp provide activities for a variety of ages?
When is the camp?
Will it interfere with family vacation plans?

When attending the pool or other community evnets, if you can’t be there will your child need a caregiver? Do you have an on-demand sitter solution and is the sitter background screened.

Determine your budget
Camp costs: Length and type will determine costs
1 week day camp – price for 6 hours a day begins at about $95 a week -
Overnight camp costs – 1 week overnight can run $800 – $1000

Child Care Costs:
Drop-In Day Care
Cost - $5.00 - $8.00 an hour depending on age of child
Pros – Affordable, Some flexibility
Cons – Not as structured – limited availability

Mothers’ Day Out
Cost – On average – about $40-$60 per child for six hours
Pros – Affordable, convenient – some structured activities
Cons – Typically only available once or twice a week

Full Time Caregiver
Cost – $350-$430/week – 1 child – can be a little more for extra kids
Pros- Convenience, safety, structure, you set the schedule
Cons – May not work for every budget

Ideas
*Consider sharing a sitter with a neighbor or friend.

*Create an “Informational Book” for sitters
SeekingSitters uses Family Information Packets and gives on to each member family to fill out – with everything that a sitter needs to know about the family, kids, schedules, emergency numbers etc.

*Background Checks: Remember to make sure whatever service you use performs a thorough background screening by a live person. (This service is provided for free to members of SeekingSitters.)