Most working parents have an established care provider they turn to when they’re in need of childcare, whether it’s a favorite day care center, a nanny, or even just a part-time babysitter. Now that the government has temporarily shut down many childcare centers due to COVID-19, parents have had to adjust in order to find high quality childcare that meets the proper safety protocols. We’ll go over the best ways to hire childcare during COVID-19 as well as some creative options to minimize the risk of exposure.
Check To See If Your Area Allows In-Home Childcare
While daycares are normally an excellent option for backup care, COVID-19 has made one-on-one childcare a much safer option. Most places are allowing in-home childcare during the pandemic, although you should check the website of your local city or county to see if there are any restrictions.
Come Up With A Checklist Of COVID-19 Questions
When screening potential care providers, you’ll want to come up with a list of questions that specifically address COVID-19 concerns. If they’re not practicing proper social distancing or hygiene, they could potentially put you or your children at risk of contracting the virus. Here are a few questions you may want to ask:
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Would you be willing to work exclusively for our family? What would your minimum hours need to be to make that work?
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How many families are you providing childcare for?
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What will your method of transportation be to and from our home?
Be Clear About Your Expectations
If your child has unique needs or you require a special arrangement with your care provider, make that clear up front. Provide your babysitter with a list of hygiene and social distancing requirements anytime your child leaves the house. It’s also a good idea to include CDC guidelines as part of your expectations with your care provider. These include requirements such as frequent hand washing or immediate notification if they think they may be sick.
Get Creative
If you find a care provider who is willing to work exclusively with your family, there are a few things you can do to further reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. If you have the space, you can offer the babysitter a spare room to shelter-in-place with your family. You can also offer to provide them transportation to and from your home to help them avoid public transportation.
Try Virtual Childcare
If you’re working from home, you can take advantage of virtual childcare to entertain and engage your children while you get work done. Helpr Online offers several different options for virtual childcare that include both one-on-one sessions as well as group classes. Virtual childcare can give your child social interaction and entertainment without them needing to leave the house or risk exposure to COVID-19.
If you’re looking for a new care provider during COVID-19, Helpr offers plenty of flexible childcare options. Check out our website to find more about what we have to offer!
