If you are a busy parent, you’re likely rushing around constantly trying to coordinate a million things, and childcare is likely at the top of your list.
If you have working hours that differ from the typical nine to five or are a single parent, you might be wondering if there are daycares with weekend hours and whether they open on Saturdays and during the evenings.
If you’re one of these parents, we have all the information for you on childcare provisions for weekends and evenings.
The really quick answer to this question is that weekend daycare services are not the norm and if you do happen to find one that does offer this service be prepared that you will be paying a premium charge.
Those parents that do require childcare at weekends and evenings usually opt for a babysitter or friends and family for help.
In this article
Weekend Childcare Services
There are very few traditional daycare centers that will be open on the weekend. Daycare centers that do offer more flexible hours will likely tack on a hefty fee to your bill to account for these anti-social hours.
So parents in need of evening or weekend childcare usually opt for different, more flexible provisions.
If you are one of these parents, you may prefer to opt for a service such as a babysitter, or a nanny, who will likely be more flexible and will have a bit more availability for ad-hoc care than traditional daycare.
You might even opt to ask a friend or family member to watch your little one if your evening or weekend shifts are infrequent.
Childcare Options For Evenings And Weekends
Many parents will find themselves transitioning to part-time, working from home, or even taking a career break due to difficulties in finding childcare.
It is difficult trying to find the perfect daycare setting for traditional hours, but your choice is even more limited when it comes to finding childcare providers for these more anti-social hours, so you might have even more difficulty in finding the perfect fit for you and your little one.
Here are some options for you if you find yourself in need of childcare during evenings and weekends.
Daycare
If you are lucky enough to have a daycare in your area that has evening and weekend hours, you may think you have found the perfect childcare provision.
However, you’ll likely find that the cost for evenings and weekends is significantly higher than during standard opening hours- even as much as $20 an hour.
This may not be in your budget, especially if you’re needing this type of care regularly, so here are a few other options for you.
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Nanny Or Babysitter
If you are in need of evening or weekend childcare, you may find that a nanny or a babysitter is a more affordable and flexible option for you than traditional daycare.
If you’re in need of consistent evening or weekend care, then a nanny is a great option. While they may cost a similar amount to traditional daycare, they will be much more flexible and will work with you to fit around your busy schedule.
They will also have the ability to spend much more one-on-one time with your little one or little ones, which is great for aiding their development.
A babysitter is a great option if your schedule is not so permanently busy. If you only need to work one weekend a month, or only one or two evenings a week, then a babysitter is great for providing care as and when you need it.
You might even be able to hire a neighbor or a younger family member who has some experience but is just needing a bit of extra cash, and they’ll probably be much cheaper than a nanny or a daycare.
Child care sharing is a newly popular option for struggling parents. This involves parents working together to take turns watching a group of children.
You might share childcare with some parents in your local area, such as watching a neighbor’s kids after school while she is at work, or having your friend’s children for a sleepover if she’s working a late shift.
They might then repay you by dropping your little ones off at school, or having them for an afternoon playdate while you’re busy at work.
Childcare co-ops are also a newly popular option for childcare, and it works in a similar way as child care sharing. The only difference is the co-op works like a daycare, however, parents are the ones who take turns looking after the children based on a schedule.
Family And Friends
It’s no secret that your friends and family love spending time with your little one, and so they may be a great childcare option if you are stuck for childcare.
If your schedule only involves a few weekends and evenings a month, then you might easily be able to ask a few family members or friends to have your little one for a few hours.
You might consider asking a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin to watch your little one for a few hours, and this might work even better if they have their own little ones.
And if your friends or your little one’s godparents are complaining that they don’t get to see your little one as much as they’d like, consider asking them if they would like the chance to babysit your little one a few times a month for you.
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This is the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone – your childcare needs are sorted, and your little one is getting the chance to spend quality time with some of the most important people in their life.
And as a bonus, friends and family members are unlikely to ask you to pay as much money as a traditional childcare provider, if they even ask at all!
The Final Thought
The truth is, finding childcare during evenings and weekends is going to be difficult, especially as most daycares don’t provide this type of care in their standard hours.
You might have better luck hiring a nanny, who will be more flexible and have more time to dedicate to your little one. And if this isn’t an option, a babysitter is great for ad-hoc care and is usually a cheaper option.
And you could always ask a friend or family member if they would mind watching your little one for a few hours if you’re really in a pinch!
