Would anyone in the Union County area of New Jersey be able to give me some advice on affordable childcare? I am going through some tough personal issues and I currently have my childrens' paternal grandmother watching them while I work full-time. Needless to say I need to find alternate childcare that I can afford on my salary. I am a one-parent household and am barely making ends meet. I have debt that I'm trying to pay down but not successfully. I need full-time childcare that is accessable by public transportation if need be. I am coming to my wit's end! I have no outside support that I can use (and I'm not talking about financial only).
If anyone can lend me some sound advice I would greatly appreciate it!
P.S. Child support from the childrens' father is out of the question. Legal issues against him.
J., get in touch with Community Coordinated Child Care ("4Cs"). They should be in the phone book or online in Union County. They will provide referrals to child care providers, and may also issue you a voucher toward the cost if you qualify, or can advise you on pay to scale programs. Good luck.
D.
J., I don't know of any in Union County (don't know how far "down" you are in Union), but my son goes to a pre-school/daycare in Essex county that I felt was very reasonable pricewise.
let me know if you'd like more info.
Hi J. S
I might be able to help you depending on part of Union County you live in.
I'm very active in my church & come across alot of people in the child care business.
J.,
Where do you live/work in Union County? Do you have a YMCA nearby? I know they often have wonderful daycare programs (my son attends one in Maplewood) and though their posted tuition may not be cheap I know the Y has a policy of not turning anyone away for inability to pay; they are run as non-profits, and do a lot of fundraising to provide scholarships for families in need. I suggest you find a Y program that is convenient for you and then ask them about the possibility of receiving financial aid.
Good luck!!!!!
J.
Try a YMCA - they often give scholarships for people who need help. My son went to the Madison Y (Morris CTY) for a number of years and they were great and provided financial assistance. The other place I can think of is the Salvation Army - they have resources as well.
I don't have any advice, but want to wish you good luck.
J. I cant give you any specific help, but I personally would go on your town/counties website and start there. I grew up in Union County, and I remember hearing about such support programs. Keep in touch.
I wish you luck, godspeed.
J.
Hi J., my thoughts are with you and your girls. I know as a mother working full time it is tough to research options for childcare and I feel for you with your current situation. Check out this website for a list of childcare options: http://www.kidzschoolfinder.com/Unionnjpreschools.htm. As suggested by another, Union NJ does have a local YMCA http://www.ymcaeuc.org/fivepoints/childcare.html. Another option is the local churches who tend to be reasonable and some daycare facilities offer a co-op option where time can be donated to help with cost (although you may not have any time, maybe their grandmother could offer, since she is watching the girls presently anyway). Finally, if you feel that you are in need of short or long-term financial assistance, there are NJ resources that you can contact: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dfd/statesubchildcar.... Child Care Helpline at: 1-800-332-9227. Specifically for Union County: Union County, Community Coordinated Child Care of Union County Phone: ###-###-#### x 122
Web Site: www.ccccunion.org. I don't know how much red tape comes with using county and state assistance, but wanted to offer up this option. All the best to you and your girls.
Hi J.,
My name is Y. and I'm a single mom who resides in Hudson County, New Jersey. I went through the same thing with my soon to be 3 year old son. I found that in New Jersey there is a program call the Abbott program. This program is run by the NJ Board of Education and they allot a certain amount in funds to different daycare centers throughout the State of New Jersey. There are some centers where either the Abbott Program or The Urban League gives the center money and your child can attend the program for free or at a discounted price. I found a daycare center within walking distance of my home and it is affordable. If you can, search the internet for daycare/childcare centers in your area and you can contact them to see if they are funded by either of these programs.
