Flexible Daycare?

OrangeBird

Long story but I work from home and am looking at spending a few weeks out of state with family at least once a quarter.  While with family my mom would provide care, but for the rest of the time I'd need daycare.  From what I've seen, most daycares still charge for days/weeks baby is absent.  Is that really true?  I'd love to find a daycare center or home provider who would only charge for time used.  Nanny route isn't really a good option because my place is very small.  Wondering if anyone out there has any advice or experience with this.  Looking in Columbia, MD area.

ASmallWonder

It's really rare.  You've got to figure that this is someone's income and they need the money on a consistent basis. It's one thing to say that you only need, say, 4 days a week.  Some places may work with that because it's consistent and they may be able to make up the income with another family.  But a few weeks off every few months just means they'd be out that money.

niknak7

I've never found anywhere that would do that. You are paying for the spot. Because it isn't likely that they would be able to fill that spot with another child just for the weeks you are gone.

AdaraMarie

niknak7:

I've never found anywhere that would do that. You are paying for the spot. Because it isn't likely that they would be able to fill that spot with another child just for the weeks you are gone.

Yep, this exactly

katie_cj

My daycare is a centre and would allow that.

You have to fill a calendar with the days and times you want care (AM, PM, etc) and you only pay for those days.

However, my daycare is affiliated with the military, so it's probably a rare thing.

Your best bet would be to look for a SAHM whose looking to watch kids sometimes and wouldn't mind the lost income in exchange for a few weeks off. 

EastCoastBride

I would look on a site like care.com for people who might have that kind of flexibility.  My inhome DCP is VERY flexible - you only pay for the days you use, and due to our schedule, this works great for us.  Some weeks DS is there 3 days, this week he'll be there 1 day. 

She has a couple other PT kids too.  She doesn't NEED the income - she's doing it just because she loves it. 

I know that technically she would be available to do this, BUT she wouldn't ever be able to say "Yes - for the entire year, I'll be available".  she'd be saying "If I don't have a full load at the time you need me, I can take your child on" but she wouldn't hold that spot open the entire year.

That's why I think something like care.com or sittercity might be a good idea.  you may be able to find someone who could work w/ you.

vigurl

It is possible.  It seems like you are looking for a center with "drop in care".  Google that term and as someone who used to live in Baltimore I am quite sure there are centers in Columbia with that option.