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With childcare costs rising and the inflexibility of some childcare facilities, trading care with other parents is a good idea for any parent. For single parents it can sometimes be the only way to reduce the costs of childcare to a manageable level, so how exactly do you go about it?

FINDING OTHER SINGLE PARENTS.

This will often happen naturally. You will get to know other parents through your kids' schools and activities. If you are a new parent it is really worth attending any new mothers' groups in your community. You'll not only get support and advice, but also make new friends who may be willing to trade child care for the next several years. If your child is older, volunteering at her school or other activities is a great way to connect with parents of other children in your child's social circle.

Church and community groups are a good place to find other parents to trade care with too, and don't be afraid to ask around. You may find your new acquaintance has a friend, sister or neighbour who would love to trade childcare with you. You might want to put up a sign somewhere in your local community or the building you live in offering to trade childcare or baby sitting services. Some neighborhoods even run a baby-sitting circle for single parents and/or couples so you have a whole list of potential people to trade with. Find out if there is one in your area and if not, consider starting one.

Another way to start an informal childcare trade is to simply ask your child's friends round to play at your house. Usually you will find a return invitation is issued. Likewise, if your child is invited to a friend's house, be quick to offer a return trip to yours. If this works out you might want to suggest to the other parent that you make it a regular arrangement. While some of these reciprocal play dates may turn out to be a one off, some may develop into long term solutions to your childcare needs.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE STANDARD OF CARE.

Just because you're not paying for childcare doesn't mean you should accept a situation that you wouldn't usually be OK with.

Ensure that the house your child is spending time at is safe and that their house rules are roughly consistent with yours. Don't be afraid to point out certain things that your child simply isn't allowed to do (such as going for an unsupervised bike ride).

On the other hand, be willing to accept that going to play at another child's house is a treat in itself and you may have to be a bit more relaxed about certain things, just as you would if she was at a party or on a regular play date at a friend's house.

DON'T BE DAUNTED BY THE IDEA OF "DOUBLE TROUBLE"

Some single parents are put off trading childcare by the idea that they will have to look after someone else's child as well as their own, maybe when they're tired and not up to "entertaining". Just remember that many children actually need a lot less "entertaining" when they have another child to play with. It will only take a few play dates to discover that having two instead of one (or even four instead of two) for a few hours really isn't double the work. It's sometimes only half.

BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE

Sometimes you are lucky and can find an ideal regular childcare trade that allows you to go to work, cut out paid childcare and/or have a regular social life. Often, though, trading childcare will be an extra. Something you're able to do from time to time in order to save money on a baby sitter or give yourself a break, while still keeping a regular paid for childcare system in place. Either way, your kids are likely to be happy with the situation. To them it will just feel like going to a friend's house to play.

Learn more about this author, Karen Banes.
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