We all know that life doesn’t always work in neat little packages – especially when kids are involved. Working parents and stay-at-home parents alike sometimes find that there are days when a little extra help is needed. Unfortunately, finding that help can be tough when regular child care falls through or last-minute needs arise.
Whether you need sick care for a child who can’t attend their regular school or provider due to illness or you just need some help for those “special” days, there are a number of places in Richmond that are ready to help. From hourly drop-off care to special programs for sick days, you’ll find that there is a wide range of options.
Here at Richmond Mom, we’ve taken a look at local child care providers in the Richmond area and found ones that can facilitate special drop-in, emergency and sick day care for those days when you need that extra set of hands to get you through.
DROP-IN CHILD CARE CENTERS:
The following child care centers provide regular, ongoing child care and preschool programs, but also offer special services designed to help out on an as-needed basis. From occasional child care days to special sick care services, they are there when you need them.
Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons offers regular daycare and preschool care programs backed by an international network specializing in early childhood education and provides creative learning experiences, from the earliest years through preschool and kindergarten prep. This is why it’s all the more exciting to know that even if they are not your primary child care provider, you can still be part of the Bright Horizons experience with Drop-In and Emergency Care programs, ideal for families looking for quality child care whenever their regular child care is unavailable. With two locations in the Richmond area, you can find the drop-in service that best suits your needs, including emergency care, drop-in (as needed) care, school closing/holiday care, inclement weather care and more.
How it works:
Contact your nearest Bright Horizons Center to get more information about how to get enrolled in their back-up care program. When you take advantage of this supplemental care program, you can rest assured that the Bright Horizons team will take extra measures to acclimate your child and provide top-quality care throughout the day.
Contact:
Henrico
7704 E. Parham Road
Richmond, VA 23294
(804) 217-9226 or (877) 624-4532 (for enrollment information)
Short Pump
120 Towne Center West Blvd
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 360-4765 or (877) 624-4532 (for enrollment information)
Bundle of Joy Child Development Center
In addition to regular educational, developmental and enrichment through their daycare and preschool programs, Bundle of Joy offers a unique Back-Up Care program. This program offers occasional, as-needed care for those who may already have regular child care, but find themselves needing additional help because of school closings, regular provider unavailability or simply for days when you need some time for yourself.
How it works:
Once your child is enrolled in the Back-Up Care program, contact the Bundle of Joy Child Development Center nearest you to see if they have openings for your desired day of care. If your nearest center doesn’t have availability, they will be happy to check with their other locations to find one that does.
Rates:
$25/day for infant, preschool, kindergarten and school-age full day care
$20/ day for after school care
Contact:
Glen Allen:
9700 Bundle of Joy Lane
Glen Allen, VA 23059
(804) 553-1366
Hermitage:
6609 Cottage Street
Richmond, VA 23228
(804) 266-8947
Goochland:
74 Plaza Drive
Manakin Sabot, VA 23103
(804) 784-3581
Hanover:
9550 Kings Charter Dr.
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 550-1592
LaPetite Academy
In addition to their well-renowned and highly accredited daycare and preschool programs, LaPetite Academy offers year-round Flex Care. Flex Care allows you to purchase child care days in advance to use as you need them, when you need them, throughout the year. Flex Care provides flexible solutions for those who need reliable care for part-time work, have changing schedules, need occasional care, or those who need care over holidays and school breaks.
How it works:
Prepaid Flex Care cards can be purchased in five-day increments. Each card is good for one year, but there is no limit to how many days you purchase and the days can be used back-to-back or spread out over time. Flex Care can even be used for LaPetite’s summer programs. There is no registration fee and only 48-hour advance notice is needed to reserve your child’s spot. Contact the LaPetite Academy nearest you to inquire about rates and to purchase cards.
Contact:
Glen Allen 3919 Springfield Rd
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804) 747-6110
Midlothian 3100 Old Hundred Rd
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 744-2287
Richmond 12484 Church Rd
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 360-4994
LeafSpring School
LeafSpring School, formerly Rainbow Station, may have changed their name, but not their amazing reputation. They offer innovative curriculums, as well as a sense of diversity, community, integrity, and creativity. But what many in the community love about LeafSpring School is their willingness to help out in times of need with The Get Well Place. The Get Well Place provides daily care sick for children from newborn to 14 years of age and delivers a much-needed service when your child is sick, but your outside demands don’t allow you to stay home. Staffed by licensed pediatric nurses, The Get Well Place provides many Richmond parents with help – and peace of mind.
How it works:
You don’t need to be enrolled at LeafSpring School to take advantage of The Get Well Place. With service available for a few hours or for full days, a licensed nurse will provide a brief exam, then place your child in one of four rooms based on their symptoms. With your consent, LeafSping School will even pick your child up from school or another child care center and bring them to The Get Well Place for you. Visit The Get Well Place, to print out and complete registration forms in advance so that you have them ready to go in the event of an emergency. To learn rates and admission, contact the LeafSpring School nearest your home or workplace.
Contact:
The Boulders
7421 Boulder Springs Rd
Richmond, VA 23225
(804) 272-0641
Hanover Medical Park
8218 Atlee Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
(804) 730-1010
Three Chopt
11001 Three Chopt Road
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 747-0100
Charter Colony
Woolridge Road and Charter Colony Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23114
(804) 955-5782
Wyndham
5701 Wyndham Park Drive
Glen Allen, VA 23059
(804) 360-2166
Sports Center of Richmond (SCOR) Camps
SCOR offers an open enrollment registration process throughout the summer offering same day drop-ins (as well as weekly registrations). In order to utilize this drop in feature, simply show up to the front desk of SCOR at either 9am or 1pm (for the afternoon half day option) and tell a staff member that you wish you check in as a drop in.
Contact:
Sports Center of Richmond
1385 Overbrook Rd
Richmond VA 23220
(804) 257-7267
Camp Director: Abby Clement
Camp Director email: [email protected]
HOME-BASED CHILD CARE AND BABYSITTING SERVICES
If your regular child care provider is home-based, or you prefer to have your child remain in your home, then a center may not be for you. Not to worry – there are still plenty of options for last-minute and emergency child care out there.
Perhaps you’ve already seen our Babysitter Resource Guide for Richmond. If you have, then you know that there is a wide range of sitter, nanny agencies and au pair resources right here in Richmond. But we’ve gone ahead and singled out a few that offer the occasional or one-time care you need. While not all of these services are designed for last-minute care, many do offer quick turnaround, emergency (or last-minute) care, and on-call sick care.
ASAP Sitters Since 2008, ASAP Sitters has been matching families with carefully screened, highly dependable sitters in the Northern Virginia, DC, and Charlottesville areas and they pride themselves on gaining many of their clients through referrals. In 2015, they opened their Richmond regional office in order to provide top quality child care service for the Greater Richmond area. You can choose to register with them as a member or ongoing subscriber, or for a one-time request. Visit them online or visit the Richmond regional office link above to learn more.
Contact:
www.asapsitters.com (703) 209-4717
[email protected]
Babysitters Registry
This online babysitter posting site allows you to view available sitters in your area and find a babysitter even at the last minute. Simply type in your zip code for a complete list of sitters that you can then search by availability, location, pay rates, and more. Plus, you can view background checks and clearances, as well as see other users’ reviews. In addition to babysitters, Babysitters Registry also provides listings for nannies, pet sitters, elderly care, and tutors.
Contact:
www.babysittersregistry.com
Bright Star Care – Childcare Known for their high level of medical and home care for adults and the elderly, Bright Star brings that same level of expertise and professionalism to their childcare services. Choose from flexible sick-day care, child care and sitter services, pediatric home care, or care for children with special needs.
Contact:
www.brightstarcare.com Click here to contact Bright Star directly.
Care.com
As one of the premiere online babysitter posting sites, Care.com lets you input the type of care you need, including nannies and babysitters, date night care, after-school care, special needs care, tutoring or daycare centers. They then match you with local resources and allow you to choose providers based on location, experience, pay rates and more.
Contact:
www.care.com
College Nannies & Tutors
A trusted resource for the Richmond for many years, College Nannies & Tutors offer nanny and sitter services for your various needs. Their nannies are reliable and responsible and bring order, organization, and options to your family life with services like shuttling kids to covering unpredictable work schedules. Their sitters are background checked and trained to provide the utmost care for your children. The sitters are guaranteed to be on time every time. College Nannies & Tutors also offers a smartphone app so that you get real-time information on which sitters are available, what they are like, and book them from anywhere, anytime.
Contact:
https://www.collegenanniesandtutors.com/glenallenva/
Nanny Poppinz of Greater Richmond
Nanny Poppinz’ Richmond agency provides a variety of nanny services, including date night care, newborn/infant care specialists, after-school care, occasional care for days when schools are closed, on-call care for sick days, and, of course, full-time and part-time nannies who are available for live in or live out care. Unlike some agencies, Nanny Poppinz does not charge any upfront application or membership fees and they ensure that all of their candidates have at least three years of verified childcare experience, as well as thorough background and computer checks before you meet them.
Contact:
www.nannypoppinz.com
3420 Short Pump Road, #213
Richmond, VA 23233
Susan McCloskey
(804) 360-9422
Richmond Nanny Agency
Richmond Nanny Agency provides a wide array of nannies, all of whom have been carefully screened and vetted before you meet them. In addition to standard live in/ live out nanny services, Richmond Nanny Agency also provides temporary care, overnight care, newborn care, night nannies (nannies who attend to new babies while they are still establishing sleep habits, allowing you and your partner more rest), doulas and other newborn specialists, date night care, fill-in care if your regular care is unavailable, mother’s helpers, travel nannies, hotel and event nannies, emergency/sick child care and senior care. Basically, no matter what you need, they can help you find a solution.
Contact:
www.richmondnannyagency.com
(804) 399-4355
[email protected]
River City Sitters
In addition to occasional, as-needed babysitters, River City Sitters also provides care for functions, weddings, hotel events and church nurseries. With a commitment to premium care for your family, River City Sitters only places the most qualified babysitters, ensuring that each sitter they refer has at least two years of experience, a criminal background check, a valid driver’s license, a dependable car and more. Even better, many of their sitters are teachers with training for educational assistance, as well as care for children with special needs. Unlike other services, River City Sitters also provides an upfront fee structure, including placement fees and pre-set sitter rates. Click here for a complete list of fees and rates.
Contact:
www.rivercitysitters.com
Michelle Bynum
(804) 475-9213
[email protected]
SeekingSitters Richmond – North SeekingSitters is a national franchise with local owners that work with you directly to find the ideal sitter or nanny for your needs. Like many other services, they provide stringent background checks and vet all sitters before matching them to your family. However, SeekingSitters operates with a unique membership structure. Once your family is approved through the member verification process (with a one-time activation fee of $59.99), you can select a service plan that suits your needs and begin requesting sitters the same day. Plans range from $15 pay-per-use to low-cost unlimited request monthly options. To get a sitter, simply submit a request, find a match, then pay the set babysitting rate (see Richmond rates here). Membership provides access to your personal online account where you can request sitters, view photos and profiles of sitters available in your area, update your profile, set your preferences and request activation in other SeekingSitters locations so that you can request sitters while traveling.
Contact:
www.seekingsittersrichmondnorth.com David Kallweit
(804) 912-3817
Sitter City
Sitter City makes it easy to find the right sitter or nanny for part-time or full-time care, occasional needs, date nights, special needs, infant care, before and after school care and much more. But what makes this site truly unique is that instead of searching through countless provider profiles, once you’ve signed up (premium service is free for the first month), you can post your job, then qualified local care providers will contact you. From there, you can read reviews, check profiles, and run background checks before you pick your favorite candidates for face-to-face meetings and interviews.
Contact:
www.sittercity.com
(866) 205-5625
Click here to contact Sitter City directly.
Uloop – University of Richmond and VCU
All services, agencies and memberships aside, Uloop provides a direct place to post help wanted ads that go directly to local college students, including University of Richmond and VCU students. For many families, university students provide an ideal fit for child care needs with their flexible schedules and pay rates. Likewise, many families like having a care provider that is actively in school as they can often provide specific help with tutoring and/or homework. On Uloop, you can post help wanted ads for anything from date nights, occasional needs, mother’s helpers, pet sitters and more and local university students can view your ad and reply.
Contact:
University of Richmond
www.richmond.uloop.com/jobs/index.php/babysitting
VCU
www.vcu.uloop.com/jobs/index.php/babysitting
Urban Sitter
Founded by moms for moms, Urban Sitter recognizes the challenges of finding quality childcare. As such, they allow you to select sitter profiles through group affiliations like community organizations, schools, sports, universities and more. This feature lets you link up with sitters that often have referrals and reviews from people that you know or are connected to organizations that you trust. Simply post your job for free (long-term, short-term, occasional or pretty much anything you need), select your preferences, and you’re set! Best of all, you can request, book and pay your sitter all with a simple phone app. You won’t pay anything to Urban Sitter until you contact your sitter, then you can choose from pay-as-you-go membership or monthly rates.
Contact:
www.urbansitter.com
Finding the help you, need when you need it, can make all the difference in your busy parenting schedule. We hope that the services listed above will provide you with the resources you need to create peace of mind for both you and your children. In the meantime, we would love to hear about any trusted drop-in or last-minute child care services that we may have missed. Let us know at [email protected]!
