Emergency back-up care
We've talked before about finding back up care for anticipated time off like Spring Break or Winter Break. But, what do you do when you're REALLY in a pinch? Debby is in need of your suggestions:
I am looking for back-up options for days when my day care provider or her child are ill, like today! I tried Grandma's Place and they are not able to take my daughter (19 months) today due to the fact she is not registered and the manager is ill today among other things. I am getting really tired of having to email everyone I know the night before to see if they can help, and the babysitting "exchange" that I work out on those days is really eating up all of my free time! But I really can't take any more time off from work. What do others do for back-up besides family and friends??? Any thoughts for TODAY??!
Somebody else mentioned CareGivers Placement Agency on this board once before. They have temporary nannies for just such a thing. I have never used them, but they might be worth checking out. Good luck!
www.cgpa.com
Posted by: Rosanne | February 06, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Northwest Nannies also has temporary nannies, though they can be expensive. www.nwnanny.com
Posted by: J in Beaverton | February 06, 2007 at 10:17 PM
I've used CareGivers and have had great experience with them. They won't always be able to accommodate very last minute needs such as yours today, but they do everything they can to help you. I'd definitely call them.
Posted by: cherl | February 07, 2007 at 09:05 AM
we use CareGivers and the kids love them. I have called them many times for last minute care and we found if you are flexible then you are more likely to get someone.
you can also make sure your child is registered at several places to cover the back up needs. Our neighbor puts a post in for babysitting services needed at Portland State and from there makes a list for back up. Hope that helps!
Posted by: Murphy | February 07, 2007 at 10:01 AM
I ended up putting her in Grandma's Place today, which cost a $20 one time registration fee and then $9 per hour. It's right by the Broadway Bridge in the Rose Quarter and it appears to be clean and well run. I looked into CareGivers and they are $11 per hour, so a little more pricey, and more need for advance planning. It does seem like a good option, though. I am still open to places that are less expensive, as I pay much less than these places charge right now for day care (I know, I get off pretty easy!) but today I am just thrilled at the convenience of it! Any other ideas?
Posted by: debby | February 07, 2007 at 10:18 AM
For the west side there is Fran & Margie's Kids Klubhouse drop-in care. I haven't tried them yet, but the Washington Square location is on my backup list. They recommend you fill out their forms prior to your needing care so that everything is ready to go when you're in a pinch. (And I think their rates are less than those mentioned above.)
Kids Klubhouse (503) 297-1400, 7515 SW Barnes Rd
Kids Klubhouse (503) 639-4456 9225 SW Hall Blvd
Posted by: Anita | February 07, 2007 at 12:29 PM
I've used Kids Klubhouse (Barnes location) once for a couple of hours and my daughter loved it. I'm hoping my youger will be able to go (severe separation anxiety these days!)
Posted by: Rosanne | February 07, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Ask your employer about corporate sponsored back-up child care programs. I'm in Boston and my company offers it through Bright Horizons Family solution. They don't want us missing work when we have child care breakdowns, so they offer back-up care as part of our benefits program. I can bring my child to the back-up child care center near my office when I have an emergency.
Posted by: Kevin | February 08, 2007 at 06:37 AM
I work, and we have always used another Portland nanny agency, the Auntie Fay agency, for temporary coverage in case of child care breakdown or if my child is sick and can't go to care. Same general items apply as to the other mentioned nanny agencies--can't always find someone last-minute, but the owner, Loyce, will really try hard for you. Pre-register with them, and that way she'll have all your info for when you call in need. We've been very happy with the nannies they have provided, and the one person my son didn't like (nothing wrong with her, just not a good fit for him personally), we just had Loyce mark in our file that wee didn't want her to come.
Posted by: Soozez | February 09, 2007 at 04:31 PM
As a working mama I've run into that situation a couple of times & fortunately I have a friend who hosts a playgroup & does childcare. My daughter is familiar with her & her kids & the few times I was hard up she always had room for Quili. So I would say: having a friend in the childcare business whom your child trusts is definitely an advantage.
Posted by: capella | February 16, 2007 at 02:39 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/business/117324330846300.xml&coll=7
Check out my quote on page 2!
Posted by: Debby | March 08, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Hi! I am moving to the Beaverton area from NC. I am trying to find a drop in child care center for 8/21-8/22 while my husband and I look at homes. Any information would be a blessing!!! Thanks, Erin.
Posted by: Erin Kellen | July 22, 2007 at 06:14 AM