Child-care providers balancing with no net

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Child-care providers balancing with no net
By John Vandiver, Stars and Strips
European edition, Monday, March 9, 2009

STUTTGART, Germany — Bircan Benevich, a child home care provider, was desperate. With her own son suffering from a 105-degree fever and in need of a trip to the emergency room, she needed back-up support — quickly.

"I started to cry and panic. I couldn’t leave the house," said Benevich, a military spouse.

With a house full of toddlers under her care and no support in case of an emergency, Benevich was paralyzed.

People like Benevich are key to ensuring working military parents have enough child care. Child Development Centers are often at capacity and home care providers help fill in the gaps. But while the extra income is nice, the tough demands of the job are pushing some of these providers to the limit.

"I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it," said Benevich, who is considering closing off her Robinson Barracks home to day care because there isn’t enough support.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61210