Evening or weekend childcare: how to get organized

Before the childcare: establish the key details together

Start by specifying the day, the caregiver’s arrival time and the expected time of your return. State where the childcare will take place, the meals to plan and the times when your child will need support. For regular childcare, also revisit these points when your schedule changes.

Allow time for a handover before leaving: show where the useful items are and explain your expectations. If your child is meeting this person for the first time, arrange a meeting while you are present. Simply introduce who will stay with them and what is planned during your absence.

A short note can bring together the essentials: schedules, instructions, familiar items and how to reach you. Also choose with the caregiver another adult to contact if you cannot be reached. Exchange useful contact details directly; they do not need to be published in an ad.

In the evening: share the usual routine

For evening childcare, focus especially on the transition between the day’s activities and bedtime. Is the meal ready? Are the pajamas laid out? Does your child choose a story or a song? Explain the usual order, without asking the caregiver to guess what you do as a family.

You can prepare a short evening schedule: meal, quiet time, getting ready for bed, then the usual ritual. Adapt it to your child’s age and your habits. An example schedule is a guide, not a program to impose on every family.

Show the items your child likes to have nearby and state your rules about screens or activities before bedtime. If you would like to receive a message at a particular time, agree on it before you leave.

At the weekend: plan activities and breaks

State the meals, usual rest times and any appointments already planned. Also specify whether the childcare will take place at home or whether an outing is planned, along with its arrangements and the necessary items.

Prepare a few simple ideas to choose from according to your child’s age and preferences: look at a book, draw, build or invent a game. Everyday conversations and games already offer many opportunities to spend time together; there is no need to fill every minute with a different activity.

To clearly distinguish the two situations, you can summarize your expectations as follows: in the evening, support the end of the day and bedtime; at the weekend, organize waking hours, meals and breaks. In both cases, share your child’s real habits rather than a standard schedule.

Plan for changes and your return

Agree on how to let each other know in case of a delay or change. If a question arises during the childcare, the caregiver must know how to contact you and which decisions you have already made together.

When you return, set aside time for a practical discussion: what was done, how meals and bedtime went, and what needs to be adjusted for the next childcare session.