HELP! new infant before start accelerated BSN, no day care!

CuriousMe · Aug 4, 2008

I am pregnant, due 1 month before starting an accelerated BSN program! Unplanned pregnancy, first pregnancy. No help from the father, don't want him involved either. I have a place to live with a friend for free, but so many debts. I can't do it without day care, because my family won't help me. But I have no money for day care! And I know the program will be full time in school and most likely work too.
Does anyone know any creative solutions to day care? PLEASE HELP!
:redbeathe

Many times there's low cost daycare on campus that can be paid (fully or partially) by your financial aid. I would talk to your financial aid office.

Congratulations on your baby :-)

Peace,

CuriousMe

AtomicWoman · Aug 4, 2008

Have you looked into Head Start? Your (lack of) income would probably qualify you, but I don't know if there's a program in your area:

http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/acfrightnow.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=132&p_created=983213258&p_sid=5oSXNqaj&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD02NDMmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

Good luck!!

mrosev14 · Aug 4, 2008

I would also look on campus, my school offers either free or low cost day care based on the students income -- in your case it would probably be free. Good luck.

~FutureNurse~ · Aug 4, 2008

I have heard that if you get any kind of government assistance (foodstamps..) that the Department of Human Services that you go to can give you money for day care. Maybe you can check into that.

gillytook · Aug 4, 2008

Check local community resources. Sometimes there are programs for low income families to provide help with child care. Also look into any programs offered by the unemployeement office. In my area they have a program that offers assistance to those who are going back to school to make themselves more employable.

MB37 · Aug 4, 2008

Check around campus as well, there may be other students with children with a different class schedule who are willing to trade hours with you. Put up a few signs, and don't just stick to the nursing school's part of campus - if you find someone with another major, they're more likely to have a different schedule than you do.

ADPIE10 · Aug 4, 2008

I am pregnant, due 1 month before starting an accelerated BSN program! Unplanned pregnancy, first pregnancy. No help from the father, don't want him involved either. I have a place to live with a friend for free, but so many debts. I can't do it without day care, because my family won't help me. But I have no money for day care! And I know the program will be full time in school and most likely work too.
Does anyone know any creative solutions to day care? PLEASE HELP!
:redbeathe

I'm very sad for you and your baby. I have two children and after taking developmental psychology, I've come to realize how blessed my family was to have so much time with my kids during their first few years of life. Neither of my children experienced a non-family member caring for them for the first 3 years of life. Both of my children excel in school and are well adjusted. After being a latch-key kid, my wife and I recognized the importance of having reliable and loving adults caring for our children. Perhaps you can check with with your church for suggestions.

You'll be in our prayers.

tryingtobecome · Aug 4, 2008

Hi! Congratulations on your pregnancy. And sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. You should try finding out if your school has a day care. From what I have heard most schools do. But if your school doesn't then you should go to your local government agency were you can get food stamps welfare and such and they will help you with care for your baby . But sometimes day care centers only accept babies 6 weeks and older. Well I wish you the best of luck with school and the birth of your baby. I hope everything goes as best as possible.

clhRN2b2010 · Aug 4, 2008

First off, congratulations on your baby and bless you for taking such a courageous step! You are stepping into very challenging times, especially without family support. With only one month between birth and school beginning, getting everything in order and your strength back will be the first task. ften times, infants must be atleast 6 weeks to begin at an organized day care.

Would you consider delaying nursing school? When is the next admission cycle? It would give you time to get your feet under you, investigate all the aid you're eligible for, find a quality child care arrangement, and possibly reconcile with your family some. The extrordinary added befit being able to spend some quality time with your baby. Maybe you could investigate getting some employment at a day care facility which then might provide free or reduced childcare? Try church sponsored daycare centers. Often they provide a few scholarship spots to needy families. They may ask you to try attending their church, but hey! you're gonna need all the love you can get!

Big hugs!!!

michigansstudent · Aug 4, 2008

congrats! There is a government program called work first that is designed for people just like you. They are willing to help with child care expenses and medical insurance for the child while you are bettering yourself so that you can become a contributing member of society. The catch is a program that has a high likely hood of employment, yes there, and maintaining a passing grade. I am sure you will be good there. They will inturn cover your child care expenses so that you will have the tools to support yourself and your child. You will have more motivation after this baby is born than you ever thought was possible. Go for it. Your baby is counting on you!!!

LovesLucy · Aug 4, 2008

Congratulations on the baby! One option to look into is workforce development. It is a federal program that will help pay for school, child care, even gas and stipends while you are going to school It is aimed at unemployed and underemployed (considered any job without a formal education). Every county in the country is supposed to have an office (I am guessing some less populated counties will double up with another).

Also, in Florida we have a program called 4C which will provide free day care at the day care center of your choice (they voucher it) It too is a federal program but has varying names throughout the states.

Those are just some initial ideas off the top of my head.

Best of luck!