Which Child Care Program Is The Best For My Child's Summer Off?

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Which Child Care Program Is The Best For My Child's Summer Off?

28 October 2015
 Categories: , Blog


Besides giving your child the education he or she needs to survive in life, the public school system also provides an unofficial childcare service. But when summer rolls around, you may be wondering how to ensure that your child is cared for while you are at your new job. There are a couple of options available to you, but the best option for most parents is to enroll their children in daycare services. 

Nannies

One option is to hire a nanny. This option is ideal if you are concerned with whether your child will be bullied, since your child won't be around children who would bully him or her. Since it is only over the summer, your child will still have opportunities to make friends during the school year. The downside is that nannies can be more expensive than sending your child to daycare.

Informal Neighborhood Daycare Programs

If you have several parents in the neighborhood, consider working out an arrangement in which parents take turns watching over each other's kids. This helps save money and also gives you another opportunity to get to know the neighbors. The downside is that you will need to know your neighbors well enough to know if they're trustworthy. Your child might not get along with the neighbor's children. Also, if you really can't take time off work, you might not be able to keep up your end of the bargain by watching the neighborhood kids for your turn.

Summer School

Many schools offer summer school programs. Then, when your child returns to school in the fall, he or she will be farther ahead by having taken summer classes. This approach is especially useful if your child is struggling in school. However, you might feel like your child needs a summer break. Also, since summer school is usually only for one or two classes, you'll still need to figure out where your child will go for the rest of the day. 

Volunteering

If your child is 13 or older, you can have him or her volunteer for a city program. This will allow your child to receive work-relevant skills, which are critical for finding employment in the future. These programs can include spending time with senior citizens, teaching swimming and volunteering for summer camp. But your child might not be 13 or your area may not have these programs available.

Daycare

Child daycare is one of the most affordable and practical decisions for most families. Daycare programs often take children on trips and will also have special activities so your kids do not become bored. Also, summer daycare is an opportunity for your child to make friends. And if you're interested in one of the other programs, you can still have your child taken to daycare after the program is over.