Who to hire to drive kids to AM daycare?

[Badgertastic]

I am going to nursing school in the fall. We are also moving to the area (military family) and will have no friends and family there (or nearby states) to help with childcare. Therefore, we will be relying on a facility daycare for the youngest that has a before and after school program (with transport) for the elementary school child.

I just found out that our clinicals will begin at 6:30 AM. Our daycare opens at 6:30 AM (as does most in the area--or later--from what I could see). Husband will not be able to help with kids for the first semester of school--he will be in the field training and away from home for those months.

So I will need someone to drive the kids to daycare and before school care 2-3 days a week.

Who do I trust with that responsibility, that will be reliable and not leave me stranded on a clinical day? From what I understand, if I miss I can be expelled from the program.

I've heard care.com is unreliable. Do you agree?

What have other parents done in your programs?

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

Maybe you could set something up with an another parent at the daycare, if they did the morning transporting you could do the pick up?

[YesIAmHere]

I would speak with the daycare director or front desk (if yours has one) and see if they know of anyone who may live close to you that wouldn't mind helping. The director of my son's childcare has even been known to take kids home after care personally if there was some sort of emergency. I would check with them though, they can get you in touch with other parents who may be interested in helping out.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Maybe reach out to one of the military wives' clubs. Also ask the daycare director. That is a scary situation, hugs to you mama.

[DowntheRiver]

Where are you?

[NurseYoshi]

When I was a child, my mother (was in the Army) worked out a way with my daycare so that if she had to go to work before they opened or stay late, they had someone there for me. Granted she paid a little more.

There are also some military bases that have a list of local babysitters that you may want to consider. Sometimes that list has teens who don't have a license yet, so make sure you let them know you'd like a driver for your children's daycare some mornings. You might also consider asking people with children in your neighborhood if they wouldn't mind taking your kids on those mornings.

[Badgertastic]

Thanks everyone. I am going to check with the daycare director about finding another parent who may be willing to help me in the mornings. That option would probably lead to less random cancellations than hiring a babysitter. I called and asked about early drop-off and the receptionist said that they do not open before 0630. Hopefully it'll all work out.

I'm always a little envious of you all who have family and friends to rely on where you're living. Lucky ducks!