Problems That Single Parents Are Having With Childcare

Single parents have a difficult time obtaining and paying for childcare.

Single parents have the responsibility of being both mother and father to their children. In addition to playing both parental roles to their children, single parents must pay for all medical costs, clothes, activities and childcare associated with raising a child. Managing childcare as a single parent can be difficult due to the expensive costs associated with childcare, scheduling conflicts and the unexpected illnesses that children can get inflicted with.

Financial Problems

Single parent households are one-income households, which may mean that they fall below the poverty level. With the cost of rent, utilities, food and automobile expenses, daycare can be almost impossible to afford. Daycare centers are the most expensive type of childcare, but usually have the most staff available. In-home providers are a cheaper option with more flexible hours, but they may have more frequent closures due to illness of provider, vacations or weather. Baby sitters, family or friends can provide the most flexibility and payments arrangements may be cheaper due to bartering or reduced fees.

Hours of Availability

Daycare centers and in-home childcare providers usually have hours ranging from 7am to 6pm, and may not provide later evening hours or overnight hours. Weekends are also a difficult time to find childcare. Daycare centers are usually closed on Saturday and Sundays, leaving single parents to use in-home providers, family, friends or expensive hourly babysitters. In-home childcare providers may take vacations or reduce their hours due to personal reasons. Hourly babysitters or nannies may provide the most flexibility in terms of hours available, but they are also the most expensive option for single parents.

Sick Kids or Sick Providers

If a child is sick many daycare centers or group childcare centers will not let the child attend. Children can spread germs to other kids, and may need a doctor's note to come back to daycare. A more difficult situation may occur when a daycare provider is sick and must close their childcare. Finding back-up care can be difficult at the last minute for a single parent. Last minute care may be expensive, hard to piece together or impossible to find.

Sharing Custody

If a single parent shares a child with another parent, figuring out what childcare options are available for both parents is hard. Parents may chose for their children to go to the same provider so the child has continuity. If that is the case, the parents must both agree with the cost, the policies, the location and what happens if the childcare closes due to weather, emergency or other illness. Also, if one parent moves too far away a new plan must be developed for their childcare.

References

• Single Parent Center: Child Care and Babysitting
• Tomorrow's Morning: Managing Childcare as a Single Parent