NE Child Care Cooperative

A child care cooperative consists of a number of families in a community who decide to share child care among themselves without the exchange of money. Members agree to share responsibilities of record-keeping and providing and using services. Child care co-ops usually are intended for occasional child care.

Needed to start this Co-op:

• 5-6 interested families

• Point system

• Record-keeper

• Ground rules

Benefits the Community:

• Gives parents and children an opportunity to make friends in their neighborhood

• Parents can exchange parenting tips, and perhaps even toys and clothes

• Children make new friends and develop social skills

• Children can become close with many families

• No money is spent for child care

• Families are helped with occasional day, evening, or emergency overnight care

• Parents have free time when they need it

• Parents can see their children interact with other children and adults