As a former Social Worker Ms. Kauffman I get it. You make just enough to not get any help. As a former worker I tried to find placement for my working mothers who operate on a sliding scale. Like my former University. The students majoring in EARLY CHILDHOOD and Development charge $60 a week for infants and $35 per week to have the kids on university grounds. This way the students could say that they worked in day care or pre-K for so much time. That's just one way to look. Hope that helps as a start point.

Have you tried "Angle's List" ?

Hi Holly, thanks for sharing on Jobcase! It's so rare to truly enjoy our work, this must be hell for you.

Don't give up!! If you stick with your career, this could be a temporary challenge --

Have you spoken to your employer to find out if they have any support or ideas to offer? Good companies can't afford to lose good people, and there could be a path to either a promotion or childcare support that you could work out together. Stand in your worth and be sure to share your good results: If they can keep you, they could be willing to find a way. It's also worth asking about flexible work arrangements to see if working from home 1-2 days a week is an option for your role. If not, are other roles available with the company?

If your manager isn't helpful or you'd rather not start there, I'd talk to HR asap. Making your situation known could open up opportunities you haven't thought of.

I also love the idea Vickie suggested about talking to church-based programs. If they are not affordable enough, they may be able to recommend local students or nanny-pooling that could provide a day or two of care at a lower rate.

We are rooting for you! Please keep us posted.

hey Holly, it sounds like your stuck in. rut. Lord I pray for u. but mind if I ask something?

My heart goes out to you on this one! I went through the same thing with my first child. I was divorced and got virtually no child support from my ex, so I had to do it all on my own. My child care cost was literally half of my income. I moved into a very small one bedroom apartment so I could cut the cost on my rent. I budgeted every dime I had to make ends meet. At the time, my son would only eat a few different foods, (he was 3 yrs old) so my grocery bill wasn't too bad. I learned what I could live without and lived very simply. I turned my attention on my son so when I wasn't working, I played with him, took him for long walks at the park, did art projects and read to him. Focusing on him and seeing the world through his eyes made that time of my life richer, even though I was dog poor. At the time, cell phones weren't around so my home phone line was way cheaper than cell bills today, (like around $20 a month). And I gave up my cable tv so I didn't have that cost either. I didn't have a balance on my credit card and didn't use it - cash only. When I look back, it really was a good time in my life...simple, focused and fulfilling. I did a quick search and saw an article from November 2016 about the soaring cost of child care in Iowa. Folks are barely getting by because of the high costs. Supposedly, they are working on lowering the income level for qualifying for daycare cost assistance. Doesn't help you now, I know, but hopefully there will be some relief soon! Can you check with local churches? In my city, a lot of the churches have daycare. I had my two younger kids in a couple different church-based daycare centers. Perhaps they may be more affordable? I also found this link: https://iowaccrr.org/ Don't know if you've already been on the site or if there is anything there that may be of assistance for you, but I thought I'd pass along anyway. Best of luck to you!!!!

Oh Holly, I can't even imagine that! Definitely a tough situation. Are there any other daycares around that might be able to work with you on payment?