Stressing about who will look after your child?

While the closure of schools and creches as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus in SA is understandable, the move has also presented the challenge of a lack of childcare for essential workers who, unlike most citizens, are at home or working from home.

Here are some great ideas for child care if you’re an essential worker:

Form a child care co-orp with fellow essential workers

If you have colleagues who are essential workers but you don’t have the same working schedules, consider creating a childcare rotation schedule where they take care of your child when you’re at work and vice versa. You will also, of course, have to come to a strict agreement about ensuring that each of you practices stringent Covid-19 hygiene measures not only when it comes to yourselves, but also while taking care of the children.

Also read: OPINION: Are children 2-6 years losing out on meaningful classroom education during the lockdown?

Pull in a family member

If the child co-orp is not a viable option for you, call in a favour with one of your siblings – preferably one who stays close to you – so that you can drop your child off with before you go to work. This option is particularly great for night shifts. This option enables you to leave your child at your sibling‘s house overnight.

Have an arrangement with your community childcare centre

Even though your local creche or childcare centre may have been required to close due to Covid-19 lockdown measures, check with them whether the owner or one of the teachers can assist you with childcare in their capacity. Do make sure however that they are looking after your child only, and are also committed to adhering to Covid-19 safety measures as this is the best option in light of the measures to curb the pandemic’s spread.

Also read: Are nannies allowed to go back to work?

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