Here Comes the Sun…and with it a Childcare Conundrum! by Leanne Hume

Here It comes…summer vacation!! And with it early evenings spent sitting on the stoop eating watermelon, lazy afternoons at the park… dog days at the beach… and… wait a minute…don’t you still have to go to work?
How do you solve the summer childcare crunch, creatively and in such a way that “summer” does not become synonymous with “stress”?

Check out FIVE fast tips to try when crunching your calendar …
1) Camp. Yup, there is good old fashioned sleep away camp. (No! not like that movie) or perhaps a specifically tailored day camp. Talk to your kids!! Find out if they are interested and WHAT they are interested in. There is a HUGE variety of fantastic camps to choose from nowadays; bible camp, cultural camp, bike camp, art camp, outdoor adventure camp, marine biology camp, soccer camp, theatre camp and the list goes on forever. The MOST important thing when choosing a camp is making sure your child actually wants to be there. Camp Counselors will tell you kids who don’t want to be at camp can make it miserable for those who do. The next thing to look at are dates and times. Does it work with you work schedule. This is not a cheap option and it probably isn’t a whole summer type of option. It IS something that kids can look forward to and something perhaps (if you start now) you could sign up for in tandem with one of your child’s friends. This could create a possible partner for a nanny share or some other solution for the remainder of the summer. Also, be sure not to sign your children up for consecutive weeks if the camp is not designed to accommodate that. If the itinerary is going to be repeated, coming back for a second session will be no fun for your kids, or the counselors.

2) A Babysitting Co-op. Before school lets out (or even before other parents start signing their kids up for camp) find out who else is in the same “I need babysitting boat” as you. Set up a co-op that works for everyone. Maybe you get all the kids this week (when you are on vacation ) and then you switch. Perhaps you can work a shorter week, and you and another couple of families can trade off days. Sit down and figure out possible solutions. If you do decide to approach your employer to ask for some flexibility, do so with a clear proposal. Arrive with a list reasons why it will be beneficial to their business, and a number of different ways it could work.

3) Mother’s Helper. If you are able to work from home you can hire a fairly young (and affordable) student to help you bear the brunt of the child wrangling. You would still be around and available in case of emergency. Advertise at the local Junior High. Speak to teachers about students they would recommend, or approach neighbors’ about what their (tween/teen age) kids are doing for the summer months. Remember to make sure your mother’s helper has his or her CPR/First Aid, and babysitters course under their belt.

4) Summer Nanny, or Nanny Share. YES, it is possible! You can hire a professional super short term summer nanny. If you decide to do a nanny share remember that one family needs to be financially and contractually responsible. Contact your local reputable agency (Usually before the end of April or at least by Mid May) and let them know what you are looking for. Important, unless you are hiring a nanny as an employee (paying their taxes, EI, for stat holidays etc.) nannies are only permitted to undertake childcare related duties. That means driving kids, kids laundry, meals for kids, maintaining the stroller, car seats, high chair etc. If you want family meal prep, family laundry, vacuuming or more… you will have to jump through some Revenue Canada Hoops! Be sure if you are embarking on a nanny share that both families have similar priorities. Compare notes with regards to the way you both envision an ideal summer day for your kids. Remember interviewing and finding a great nanny does take a little time.

5) Find family…and Farm Out. This one is a pretty traditional Summer Vacation solution. Take as many holidays as you can, and then fill up the rest of your calendar with willing (and able) relatives. Two weeks with Gran and Pop, one week with Oma at the farm and then on to Auntie Beth. Family friends can sometimes step up to the plate too, and help out where they happen to be available (especially retired ones)

The number one stress for families looking for childcare, is time pressure. If you start talking, listening and looking now…you will alleviate the desperation that can creep in as June 30th rears is sunny head. Ask friends what they have done, are going to do, talk to preschool teachers, daycare workers, and even parents at the park what their plans are. Remember, “Unreasonable haste is the direct road to error.” I hope that your path to finding your summer childcare solution is sunny, safe and completely stress free.

Leanne Hume is first and foremost a mother who has been a on call nanny, a placement nanny, a teacher and now is in charge of Nanny Recruiting for Nannies on Call in Vancouver.
leanne@nanniesoncall.com

In business since 2001 Nannies on Call provides flexible, quality options to families looking for superior childcare. Nannies on Call offers Full Time, Regular Part Time, Short Term, and On Call service all over the entire Lower Mainland, Whistler and in Calgary.
www.nanniesoncall.com