Sponsor Links for Area Child Care

To be listed here: Contact Us for pricing

See Building Blocks main ad on Mom's Choice.  Westside 217-698-8877  Southside:  217-528-8028

INCCRRA 207 W. Jefferson St. Suite 503
Bloomington, IL 61701Phone: (309) 829-5327 or toll free (800) 649-1884
Fax: (309) 828-1808  Email: inccrra@ilchildcare.org http://ilchildcare.org/index1.htm

Community Child Care Connection, Inc.

This is a child care resource and referral service.  There is a $20 donation to receive referrals.

Call 217-525-2805 Or 1-800-676-2805

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After successfully bringing our second son into the world and embracing twelve weeks of maternity leave, it is time to return to work.  Now adding the responsibility of work demands to those of two children under the age of two and my wonderful husband, my thoughts go to, "If I cannot be at home with my children, where and with whom will they be spending their days?" 

Streaming video enters my head of horror stories and I immediately cringe at the idea of leaving my children in the care of anyone else.  I started calling friends to see where they have sent their kids and found several of them having similar dilemmas.  Even though we may have different needs, we are all wanting the same outcome - a safe and happy environment for our children - not much different from that of our own home.

Ask yourself a few questions to get started:

1.  What type of environment is best for my child?  A home daycare, a daycare facility, in your own home?

2.  What finances are involved?  What is the weekly/monthly cost?  Are there any incidentals?  Do I have to pay for holidays (or in the case of teachers, summers)?

3. What resources are there in the Springfield area to help me in my search?

Day Cares vary in their quality, cost and openings.  Make sure you ask lots of questions before signing your child up! There are many great resources to help guide you through the process after you have chosen what environment your children will be in.  Check out these websites for questions to ask, etc. 

www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/7268f.html
www.afscme.org/wrkplace/choose06.htm
www.thebeehive.org
www.med.umich.edu
www.saferchild.org

The following organizations I did not use but have had friends who have at least checked into availability in the area.  
Cultural Care Au Pair
Flexible, affordable, live-in childcare. 45 hours of care for less than $275 per week.  (800) 333-6056 Email: aupair culturalcare.com  www.culturalcare.com

AuPairCare
Quality live-in childcare. Flexible and affordable care at about $6 an hour. Fully regulated by the U.S. Department of State. (800) 428-7247 www.aupaircare.com

Another reader suggested www.greataupair.com

Share Referrals With Other Local Moms
As a parent, ask everyone you know for leads and referrals. This should be an ongoing process. So what am I doing after all of this research?  I asked around and have a parent from my school watching the boys in our home.  This is exactly what our family needs and by the way...there are a lot of moms looking for these types of jobs.  If you are interested, just ask around your school and churches.  You never know who might be looking for a career change or an opportunity to have a great job! 

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