Exploring Affordable Childcare Options: What You Need to Know
Find the best affordable childcare options for your little ones. We provide helpful resources and tips to make childcare accessible for every family.

Ensuring Childcare Safety and Quality on a Budget
I wasn’t always a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. There were many years where I pined to be at home with my babies. Whatever the reason you may be needing childcare, you can still save money without sacrificing safety.
The biggest question most young couples have today is how can we afford childcare? With prices seeming to get higher and higher, it seems almost impossible to have a family these days. So, many are deciding not to. Today, I have several ideas to find affordable childcare options in your area!
Work Alternate Shifts
This is the main way my husband and I avoided or drastically reduced childcare costs when we both worked full time. You may have to change jobs or shifts, but it’s worth it for the amount of money you will be saving. My husband would work mornings and I would work evenings. I would drop my son off with him and head to work.
There was also a time where we did this, but had to have childcare for a couple of days a week. As an example, he’d work Sunday-Thursday and I would work Tuesday-Saturday. Meaning, we would only overlap 3 days a week. We would pay for 3 days vs 5 days. Sometimes, we may just need childcare for a couple of hours. These are just examples, I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but it was still cheaper than full-time childcare.
Work Part-Time
When we started homeschooling, I ended up going to work part-time. I worked on my husband’s days off. He made more than I did and I was the one who would be doing the teaching, so it just made sense. I usually worked 16-20 hours a week. This avoided us having pay for childcare at all.
Hire a Friend/Family Member
When I went to school full-time, I would have my best friend watch my son. She would be there for a few hours while I was at class, until my husband got home. I wouldn’t have to worry about dropping my son off. She came to us. I did pay her, though it was less than I’d have had to pay another primary care provider.
Maybe you have a friend or family member who is willing to watch your children, even a day or two a week, either free or discounted. Offer to pay them, but they may want far less than someone who does it as a full-time income. This is also helpful because you know the person much more thoroughly.
Government Help for Affordable Childcare
If you need help paying for child care, there are programs that can help. Sometimes, these may have long waitlists and requirements, but it’s worth looking into if you struggle to find affordable childcare options in your budget. Some of these programs are:
- Child Care Financial Assistance
- Head Start and Early Head Start
- State Funded Pre Kindergarten
- Military Child Care Financial Assistance Programs
Look for Childcare Discounts
Some childcare facilities will offer discounts for military, multiple children, or local assistance/scholarships. It’s worth looking into if you have a specific childcare facility in mind.
Consider In-Home Care
Consider finding a daycare provider that will come to your house. Not only will your children be more comfortable, you don’t have to worry about drop off and pick up. This may be cheaper when you have multiple children than sending them to a daycare facility.
Find a Stay-at-Home Mom
When I first became a stay-at-home mom, it was a big financial jump. I ended up taking a brother and sister in a few days a week to subsidize. Their parents were grateful for them to go somewhere where they were loved and nurtured. They also both enjoyed playing with my son. I also charged less than most childcare facilities and was much more flexible when it came to scheduling. I also used to babysit for a foster mom, but she tended to take advantage when it came to scheduling. Please be courteous with people’s time, even if they’re in their own home.
Ask Locally
Be sure to find a local Facebook group where you can connect with other moms. There may be a daycare facility or in-home daycare that is very reputable and affordable that you may be overlooking.
Childcare Tax Credits
Research and take advantage of any tax credits or deductions available for childcare expenses. This can get you quite a bit of money back that you can put back into your childcare costs or other items in your budget!
Reduce Expenses and the Need for Childcare
A lot of people tend to not realize how much they’re spending on their monthly expenses. They feel they need to work all of those hours and have childcare to go with it. They end up only making a few hundred dollars a month after everything. Luckily, we have so many posts to help you reduce expenses, so you can reduce your work hours, which in turn, can reduce your need for childcare!
How to Create a Budget to Save Money
How to Make a Meal Plan + Free Printables
Budget-Friendly Tips: How to Save Money on Kids