Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/adding-back-up-care-to-your-center/5012923/
Aproblem that frequently confronts parents is what to do when their regular child care arrangements break down. Back-up child care, which supplements, rather than replaces, regular child care arrangements, is increasingly becoming the solution. Many full-service child care centers are opening their programs to families on an as-needed, space-available basis and thereby evolving into dual full- service and back-up centers.A Growing Need
The need for back-up child care has increased dramatically in recent years and continues to grow along with the demand for traditional child care. As the following examples show, back-up child care is necessary for all parents, whether or not they work full time or part time, have a nanny or a family member take care of their children, use a full- time child care center, or have preschool or school-age children.
Parents often unexpectedly need to arrange for alternate child care but cannot find care on their own or cannot take the time off from work to stay with their children. Such unexpected situations include:
- an ill provider.
- an in-home provider quits without giving notice or is fired.
- snow days.
- regular child care center or school closes due to an emergency such as loss of heat or electricity.
- part-time working parent, who normally ...