No matter your situation, finding child care is time-consuming, at best. At worst, it’s anxiety-inducing, maddening, elusive and expensive. And if you’re a parent who works nights and/weekends — aka, nontraditional hours (NTH) or nonstandard hours (NSH) — it’s that and more, as the child care options are few and far between.
In 2019, Child Care Aware found that there were about 31 million kids who needed care during NSH; however, only 34% of listed family child cares offer it (and that includes family members willing to help out), and just 8% of centers offer what’s colloquially known as “24-hour daycare” or “weekend daycare.”
“The reality is, the majority of family daycares and daycare centers do not accommodate nontraditional work schedules,” says Laura Schroeder, a credentialed nanny and household manager and co-president of the International Nanny Association. “Having a nanny is a great option, but keep in mind, not all nannies want to work these hours.”
That said, for families who don’t want to go the nanny route, there are other avenues. “Believe it or not, there are options for parents with nontraditional work schedules beyond overnight nannies,” says Christine Hernandez, an early childhood and parenting expert and founder of Allo Saratoga, an organization that offers parents a supportive and inclusive community in person and online.
Whether you’re in the military, a shift or healthcare worker, frequently travel, work weekends or overnights or have a hybrid schedule, read on to learn about some of the best nontraditional hours child care setups for you and your family.
1. Nanny
Find an overnight nanny, 24-hour nanny or weekend nanny
One of the most convenient, straightforward child care options for nonstandard hours is an overnight nanny or nanny willing to work NSH, such as overnights or weekends, notes Schroeder, who adds that some nannies actually prefer this time for work. “However, you need to do your work to find the right fit,” she says.
Benefits:
- Convenient.
- Personalized care.
- Less disruption to child and parent’s schedule.
Cost: “The costs for most nontraditional child care should not vary much from that of traditional care — and unfortunately, that is expensive,” Schroeder says. “Child care has become harder to find and the cost has increased significantly since the pandemic. That said, quality care can be found, but you need to allot time for research.”
Nanny rates can vary widely, depending on a number of factors, including where you live and your number of children. To get an idea of what you can expect to pay, check out our babysitting and nanny rates calculator.
2. Live-in nanny
Find a live-in nanny
A live-in nanny is another option for parents who don’t work a traditional 9-5; however, there are a few prerequisites for this type of care — the main one being you need to provide “room and board” (a clean, safe, suitable place for them to live). Additionally, you need to be comfortable with someone living with you.
“When my children were younger and I used to work overnights a few days a week, we had a live-in nanny,” says Tammy R., a mom of two in Ridgefield, Connecticut. “It was great for the nights my husband was out of town and I wasn’t home, but when we were all home, it felt a little awkward. I don’t think we thought that part through.”
Benefits:
- Convenient.
- Personalized care.
- Less disruption to child and parent’s schedule.
Cost: Live-in nannies generally cost the same as live-out nannies, but there are a few nuances when it comes to their work hours and overtime.
To find out everything you need to know, read: “How much does a live-in nanny cost?”
3. Au pair
“One option for families with nonstandard work hours is to host an au pair,” says Hernandez.
“An au pair comes to America on a cultural exchange visa and provides child care in exchange for room and board and a weekly stipend,” she explains. “Many families assume hosting an au pair is expensive, but it costs less than other child care arrangements. Plus, your children get the added benefit of learning about another culture, and you have the benefit of in-home child care.”
Benefits:
- Convenient.
- Personalized care.
- Exposure to different cultures, languages and customs.
Cost: While the weekly stipend au pairs are paid (about $200) is generally cheaper than other child care options, there are other expenses to consider, including room and board, food and auto insurance if they drive your car.
Also, it isn’t advisable to find an au pair without an agency — and yes, there’s a cost for that, too. As an example, the agency Au Pair in America has an annual program fee of $9,550 and match fee of $475. This list of the Best Au Pair Agencies for 2023 can be a great place to start.
To find out more about au pairs, check out: “What is an au pair? Here’s everything you need to know.”
4. In-home daycare (family care center)
Find family daycare or family child care
Another option Hernandez recommends considering is in-home daycare or a family care center.
“Some family care centers offer 24-hour care, providing care for children overnight or part of the night,” she explains. “These daycares have overlapping shifts for staff and children, so there may be some children there 9-5 and others who come for dinner and overnight. In-home daycares often have more flexibility with scheduling than larger centers and are less expensive than a nanny.”
Something to keep in mind when considering in-home daycare that provides NSH care — not all are licensed. According to Child Care Aware, while family child care (which, for their research, means licensed or unlicensed in-home care or unpaid family members) makes up the bulk of NSH care (82%), only 34% of this number constitutes “listed, paid providers who appear on official state and national records of early childhood education services.”
“If you’re looking at in-home daycares, be sure to check that they are licensed with the state,” Hernandez notes. “If a daycare is licensed, they must abide by certain health and safety regulations and submit to regular inspections. A child care program’s licensing information is public knowledge, so you can look up whether they have any past violations or outstanding issues that need correcting.”
Benefits:
- Reliable.
- More affordable than one-on-one care.
Cost: The cost of family care centers varies, but in 2021, the national weekly average for one child was $221 a week. To find out more, see our Cost of Care survey.
5. Nonstandard hours daycare
While daycares that provide NSH care do exist, the sad truth is, they’re scarce. As Child Care Aware notes, only 8% of the centers they surveyed offer this type of care, with only 2% of center based providers offering child care during evening hours, 6% offering overnight care and 3% offering weekend care.
“Parents looking for center-based child care during NSH find their options are either extremely limited or simply nonexistent,” the survey notes.
To find centers that provide care off hours, you need to do some research. Child Care Aware offers tools for both finding this type of care.
Benefits:
- Reliable.
- More affordable than one-on-one care.
Cost: “The cost for this type of care depends on where you live, how old your child is and how many hours your child will attend,” Hernandez says, noting that “infant care is often more expensive than toddler or preschool-aged care because a smaller adult-to-child ratio is required for licensing.”
The national weekly average for daycare for one child in 2021 was $226 a week. To find out more, see our Cost of Care survey.
6. College student
Find college sitters and nannies
For some families, hiring a college student (a babysitter, essentially) to watch the kids overnight is a great option, as college students are generally in need of money and keep odd hours. However, it can be tricky to lock someone down if your schedule frequently changes.
“We used our neighbor who was enrolled in a nearby college and tended to stack her classes at the start of the week,” says Kristina Blake, a mom of two in Philadelphia. “It usually worked out, but when I had an overnight on a Monday or Tuesday and my husband wasn’t around, we scrambled.”
Benefits:
- Convenient.
- Personalized care.
- Less disruption to child and parent’s schedule.
Cost: A number of factors will influence what you pay for a babysitter. To find out a general idea of what a sitter will cost you in your area, check out our babysitting rates calculator.
8. Hybrid child care plan
When you work nontraditional hours, odds are your schedule isn’t completely predictable, which is why you may need to come up with a hybrid plan — a few days a week where a part-time nanny or sitter is an option, other days where a family member helps out and other times when you switch off with your partner if you have one.
Benefits:
- Tailored to your particular schedule.
- Back-up options.
Cost: Pick and choose care options, based on your budget.
Tips for finding weekend, overnight and “off-hour” child care
Finding coverage for nontraditional hours can feel like a massive undertaking, but it is doable. Schroeder and Hernandez both suggest finding local Facebook communities and social media groups that have insight for your area, and Hernandez recommends asking around at work.
“If you work with other parents with a schedule like yours, they may have some tips or suggestions for you,” she says. “Many smaller in-home daycares and such don’t have a strong online presence but may rely on word of mouth from other parents.”
Steps to ensure the safety and quality of nontraditional-hour child care options
First and foremost, Schroeder says, “always check several references and do a background check” if you’re hiring privately. If you’re using a child care center, verify their licensing.
And perhaps most importantly, trust your intuition. “Ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable with this provider?” Schroeder says.”Trust your gut. Parents have great instincts.”
Government programs that provide financial assistance and resources for nontraditional-hour child care
Yes, there is financial help available for qualifying families. “You can check with your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency to get connected with any state or local subsidies you may qualify for,” explains Hernandez. “Additionally, you may qualify for Head Start, which is a free, federally funded program for families who are income eligible.”
“Although Head Start provides child care and preschool during traditional work hours, each family has access to a family support specialist, who helps connect the family with needed resources,” she adds. “Your support specialist, also sometimes called a family worker or case manager, can help find overnight or weekend care for you if needed.”
