4 Childcare Solutions for Single Moms Pursuing Education

If you’re a single mother trying to balance school and parenting, while also trying to find the right childcare, here are four practical solutions that can make it easier to keep learning while knowing your child is being taken care of.

Solution #1: Finding Flexible Childcare Providers

Flexible childcare providers include babysitters who offer evening hours, home-based providers with weekend availability, and daycare centers that allow drop-ins. If your classes fall outside the typical 9-5 schedule, then a flexible childcare provider might be right for you. Using these kinds of providers allows you to attend lectures, join study groups, or prep for tests without worrying about rushing back home.

Solution #2: Lean on Friends and Family or Community Support Network

One of the best and most reliable solutions for childcare is your personal support system. This can include friends and family or even cultural or faith-based community groups. These options can be incredibly dependable and affordable. Besides the affordability aspect of this solution, leaning on your personal network can strengthen relationships and remind you that you’re not going through this journey alone.

Solution #3: Childcare Subsidy Programs

There are many schools, government agencies, and community organizations that offer financial assistance for childcare. At This Woman’s Work Foundation, we help to address this major barrier for single mothers. We help single mothers pay for childcare expenses during the length of their professional educational programs. Taking advantage of programs like the one offered by us makes professional childcare much more accessible and can reduce financial stress.

Solution #4: Study-While-They-Play Spaces

There are many places you and your child can go, where they can play, and you can study. Libraries, community centers, and even some university student lounges now offer supervised play areas or structured children’s programs. The best places to look for these are on the website of your local libraries and your city or region’s website.

With these solutions, you get your education while knowing your child is cared for.