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

There are options for families who only need care for part of the day, or only on specific days of the week.

• 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.

You can search for drop-in daycare and in-home daycare on Winnie.

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 sometimes found at in-home daycares, but some centers may 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. 

When your work schedule changes

For parents who work in healthcare, hospitality, retail, public safety, and other industries with changing schedules, finding childcare can be especially challenging. You may need care on different days each week, start work before most daycare centers open, or occasionally work late without much advance notice.

When contacting childcare providers, ask whether they accommodate rotating schedules and how far in advance you need to reserve care. Some providers may require a consistent weekly schedule, while others may offer more flexibility depending on enrollment and staffing.

If your schedule is unpredictable, consider having a regular childcare arrangement for your most common work hours and a backup caregiver for occasional changes.

Questions to ask before choosing flexible childcare

Not all childcare programs that advertise flexible scheduling offer the same arrangements. Before enrolling, ask:

• What are your earliest drop-off and latest pickup times?
• Do you offer evening, overnight, or weekend care?
• Can I change the days my child attends from week to week?
• How much advance notice is required to reserve care?
• Is there a minimum number of days or hours I must pay for?
• Are there extra fees for late pickups or nontraditional hours?
• What happens if my shift is canceled or I have to work overtime?
• What is your cancellation policy?

For overnight care, also ask about sleeping arrangements, supervision, and how the provider handles bedtime and morning routines.