{"id":40524,"date":"2017-08-16T07:00:17","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T12:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/?post_type=advice&p=40524"},"modified":"2023-03-21T06:46:25","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T11:46:25","slug":"childcare-alternatives-for-adult-students","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/childcare-alternatives-for-adult-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling On Your Support Network: Childcare Alternatives for Adult Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

As more and more adults are going back to school, many are facing the same question: Are there enough hours in the day to work, go to school, and care for my children? <\/span>If you\u2019ve found yourself asking this question, you\u2019re not alone. A <\/span>2017 report from the Institute of Women\u2019s Policy Research<\/span><\/a> has shown that 26 percent of American college students are going to school while caring for children.<\/span><\/p>\n

With 4.8 million Americans juggling these responsibilities, affordable child care programs have become increasingly important.\u00a0<\/span>There are a number of alternative childcare options available to you, including co-ops, family members, and government benefits. Here are a few you may not have considered yet:<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternative Child Care Options<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Co-ops<\/b><\/p>\n

First off, you\u2019re probably asking already, what\u2019s a co-op? Many people have heard of co-op grocery stores or restaurants, but childcare? Childcare co-ops are <\/span>gaining popularity<\/span><\/a> in the US and UK.<\/span>

\n A child care co-op can be as simple as something that you begin with your friends who are also working parents… Click to tweet<\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n A child care co-op can be as simple as something that you begin with your friends who are also working parents going back to school, or as established as an official childcare co-op near your campus or home.<\/p>\n

These organizations allows parents to work or go to school while taking shifts for watching each other’s children. For example, if you enroll your child in a childcare co-op, you might be asked to watch the children on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8-12. You might care for them in your home, someone else\u2019s home, or a designated facility. When it\u2019s not your shift, one of the other children\u2019s parents are watching your child.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Child<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in trying out a co-op, there are a few things you should consider before diving in.<\/span><\/p>\n