If you are a single parent, you likely know the stress of having to make sure that you are on-time for work and that your child is being taken care of. You want to be sure that you don't put your child in jeopardy but you also cannot lose your job because you need to provide food and other items for your child and yourself. Here are some tips for finding affordable childcare as a single parent.

1. Check Out Headstart

Your first step should be looking at the Headstart resources near you. Headstart is a government funded program that provides assistance for parents who need someone to look after their children while they are between the ages of 0 years and 5 years. This is a program that you can feel confident about because it is governed by a strict set of standards that all childcare facilities that receive funding from it must meet. Once these childcare facilities meet the standards, they receive funding that allows them to offer childcare at a cheaper cost to you. The only problem is that some areas do not have as many Headstart resources as are necessary and you might have to be on a waiting list until a spot opens up. However, it is a good resource to look at first.

2. Look at Churches

The next thing that you want to do is look at churches in your area to see if any of them have childcare services that you could use that are affordable. The main way that churches make their childcare affordable is by trading childcare for volunteering hours from the parents of the children that they are taking care of. Many churches have scholarships that specify how many hours a parent should volunteer in order to qualify for the reduced price childcare. Contact the churches in your area and ask about your scholarship eligibility. Much of the time, you will have to prove that you are beneath a certain income level.

3. Check With Your Employer or School

Finally, if you are going to school, you can check with your school to see if they offer free or reduced price childcare during the hours that you are in class. If you are working, you can see if your employer offers childcare or has places where they help pay for childcare.

For more information, talk to a company that specializes in childcare, such as Noah's Ark Christian Daycare. They might have financing options available to you.