Tips for Working Parents With Daycare Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups during Their Daily Commutes
Daycare is a must for working parents, but it adds time to what can already be a long commute. And while that commute can be a blessing in disguise for spending time with your children, it still requires planning and scheduling to make sure everyone gets to where they need to be on time. When your child is enrolled at a daycare in Kanata, you’ve got to consider a few things. The time and distance spent on your commutes will likely play a role when deciding on daycare locations. Is it better to have a daycare closer to home or closer to work? Some parents prefer flexibility with a convenient location that is convenient for everyone, while some moms would rather be closer to their kids during the day.
You’ve got to weigh your options. There are challenges and rewards for both short commutes and long commutes to daycare in Kanata. At the end of the day, it all boils down to what works for you and your family, but we’ve put together a few thoughts to help you make the decision, or maybe get you thinking about things you hadn’t considered.
Daycare Close to Home
A daycare close to home may seem is an appealing option, especially if you’re unsure of where your job will take you. Some jobs require relocation to different departments, offices, and branches around the city, so choosing a daycare close to home can be a more reasonable solution.
Pros
- Flexible drop-off options. You or your partner can easily drop your child off before work and pick them up after work.
- It’s a shorter drive if your child is sleepy, hungry, or grumpy. Your little one might be wiped out after a busy day, and a short drive home might be the best way to avoid potential tantrums.
- If your job location changes, it won’t affect where your child attends daycare.
Cons
- If your child is hurt or sick, you will have a longer drive to pick them up. This could be a long, stressful drive if you’re rushing and worried about your child.
- Making pick-up times, especially during rush-hour traffic, can be a challenge.
Daycare Close to Work
For parents who want to be close to their children during the day, daycares close to work might be ideal. You’ve got quick, easy access from your office, and get to spend a bit of extra time with your little one before dropping them off at their daycare in Kanata.
Pros
- You won’t have to rush and drive a long distance to pick up your child. If you have long work days and trouble making the pick-up deadline, this is helpful. And you will be closer to your child if they need you on short notice.
- Your child gets to spend more time with you. During the drive home, you can talk about your day and get a bit more time together, even if it just during a car ride.
Cons
- It might be harder for family members to pick up your children if you can’t make it in. This can be an issue if you have to work late or have appointments or errands to run after work.
- A grumpy child can’t be soothed as easily while you’re driving.
Best of Both Worlds
There is a third option. Finding a daycare that’s en route or a compromise between your home and your office can keep travel times to a minimum while giving you some special time with your children. As with any situation, you’ll have to adapt to emergencies, plan alternate options if you’re stuck at the office, and find ways to make it work.
There are trade-offs no matter what you choose to do. Take some time to examine your options and look at what will work best for you and your family. And never, ever forget: you can have fun with it! Caught in traffic with your little one? Make a game of it, start a conversation, and enjoy the time together.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to choose a daycare in Kanata closer to home, close to work, or somewhere in between. Remember! There are no hard and fast rules about what will work best for you. Keep an open mind and be ready to adapt!
- Who will be doing most of the daycare drop-offs and pick-ups?
- How long is the commute to work now?
- How long is the commute when including time for drop-offs and pick-ups?
- What is the likelihood that you (or your partner) will be at the same location for work in six months? A year? Two years? Five years?
- Do you plan to move to a new home in a different area of the city any time soon?
- Do you (and/or your partner) have to work late and risk being late for pick-up often?
- Do you have another child’s schedule to account for in your commuting time?
Hopefully, with your answers to these questions and weighing the costs and benefits to commuting to daycares near home, work, and somewhere in between, you can decide which daycare location is best for you and your family. Commutes don’t have to be difficult! Embrace the opportunity to spend time with your children, and make the most of these moments.