Finding Childcare When You Don’t Work 9 to 5

Finding affordable, high-quality daycare during the traditional 9-5 workday can be hard enough, but finding the right daycare for parents who work non-traditional hours can be even more difficult. Luckily, providers have begun offering more flexible scheduling options to meet the needs of parents who work overnights or on rotating schedules.

Part-time childcare

It can be difficult for families to find providers that care for children on a part-time basis— only a few days a week or only part of the day. It may take a bit of digging, but there are options for families who only need care part-time.

• Drop-in daycare is an option at more and more daycare centers and in-home childcare programs. Typically, you would need to register your child in advance and call ahead of time to make sure there is space for your child on the day you need care. One downside to drop-in care (sometimes called "emergency daycare" or "back-up daycare") is that it can be unreliable, as spaces may only be available if a full-time child is out for the day. It's important to discuss your needs with any providers you're considering to ensure drop-in care will work for you. 
• In-home daycare providers tend to have more flexible scheduling options and may accommodate a part-time schedule. Often they'll charge a daily or hourly rate for part-time families.

Overnight childcare

For parents who work overnight shifts, finding childcare can be difficult, but it isn't impossible. More and more providers are starting to offer 24-hour scheduling options, which include late-night or overnight care.

You'll typically hear these care arrangements referred to as "overnight daycare" or "24-hour daycare." 24-hour care is typically found at in-home daycares, but some centers offer overnight options, too.

Overnight daycare providers may also provide options for weekend care, so be sure to ask about scheduling options when talking with potential 24-hour childcare providers.

Weekend daycare

For parents who work on the weekends, finding a daycare provider can take a bit of research, but there are options out there.

Many centers and in-home daycares, especially those that offer 24-hour scheduling options, are beginning to meet the growing need for weekend care. Additionally, community organizations or after-school programs may also offer weekend programming for families who need childcare on a Saturday or Sunday. 

Use Winnie to search for weekend child care providers.

Daycare vs. a babysitter

If you work a rotating schedule or have irregular hours, you may worry about finding a flexible enough provider to meet your needs.
For some families, having a one-on-one caregiver such as a nanny or babysitter at home may be the best option, but there are some things to consider when deciding between daycare and a nanny or babysitter. 

• Children benefit from the socialization that daycare provides. Learning to be part of a group and to share and take turns are essential skills that help prepare children for school. 
• A nanny or babysitter may have to cancel last minute if their child is sick or if they are sick themselves. You may need to have a backup plan in case your caregiver can't make it on any given day.
• Daycares often provide meals and snacks, and some even provide diapers or formula, which is a huge benefit for busy parents. 

You can search for everything from drop-in daycare to 24-hour daycare on Winnie, a childcare marketplace designed to connect parents with high-quality local childcare providers.