Finding the right childcare fit is one of the most challenging tasks a parent faces. Add to that the shortage of childcare workers, inflation and longer waitlists for daycare and after school care programs, and it has gotten even harder.
The June Care team has more than 50 years of experience in the childcare industry, so we tapped our team to break down the childcare options and help families find the right fit for their family. I wanted to share in the hopes that these tips help parents everywhere find high quality childcare they can trust.
Types of Child Care
Here are the different types of childcare offerings available so you can see which one of these appeals to your childcare needs, parenting style, schedule and budget.
Childcare / Daycare Center - Child care centers often group children by age and are generally operated out of commercial buildings. Centers are larger and enroll more children with a dedicated director and numerous staff members. Many centers offer designated drop off and pick up hours and do not offer after hours care. Childcare centers often accept a limited number of infants and waitlists are often used when enrollment is full. Long term contracts are often required.
Home Based Daycare - Providers care for small groups of children inside their home, offering a bit more personalized care than a childcare center. Often this type of home based care has one, or a few, caregivers and may offer more flexible hours. Contracts are sometimes required.
Nanny / Au Pair - Nannies can be anyone employed to care for a child in their own home, while au pairs are live-in caregivers who typically commit to a one-year stay. Often au pairs are young adults from overseas who join an American family to care for their children. They travel on a legal, one-year cultural exchange visa have the opportunity to extend their time in the U.S. for 6, 9 or 12 months. Nannies and au pairs offer low parent-to-child rations but can be more expensive than a childcare, and do not offer the benefit of socialization with other kids from outside the family.
June Care - A new option for parents, June Care connects families who need childcare with stay-at-home parents who can care for their kids. All host parents are fully vetted and background checked and have their own kid(s) present so kids can make new friends, like a playdate. Families can use June Care for ongoing part-time childcare, after school care or occasional baby-sitting, and there are no long term contracts or commitments required. June Care is a more personal and fun approach to childcare with low parent-to-child ratios and high flexibility for parents. Child care occurs in the host home typically but can be in the family’s home as well.
School Age Programs (Before and After Care) - School age programs can either be offered at your child’s school or at a local YMCA or Boy’s and Girl’s club and often provide childcare before and after school for working parents who cannot drop-off and pick-up at the standard school times. Some offer transportation to and from school if they are not located on campus. There are often wait lists required to get into these programs so it is best to look into them well in advance of start date.
Need help with summer care?
Summer camp alternative: June Care is a great option for a summer camp alternative or to fill the gaps. Kids can go on new adventures, meet new friends and we accommodate all ages, including kids under 5!
Vacation Sitters: Traveling this summer? June Care is currently expanding nationwide! If you need childcare while on vacation, change your address in your profile and connect with hosts in your travel destination.
For more information, or to create a free account, you can visit https://app.junecare.co/r/fit4mom