If you are not too keen on having your children be taken care of by “other” people, either for security reasons or for financial ones, here are some alternative suggestions which you can try out:

If both parents are working, you can try to arrange work schedules so that either you or your spouse  is available for the kids. One of you may opt to work part-time, or work at home, or telecommute on certain days.

If you have family near, you might be able to ask for babysitting assistance. Doting grandparents would even probably say yes even before you ask them.

If you are a single parent, you might try to consider looking for another single parent who can “trade-off” with you. Make sure that you work different hours so you can take turns in taking care of your and their children.

If you have no choice but to pay for childcare services, you can always deduct these expenses on your federal tax return under Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. Just be sure to check the facts with the IRS and ask for assistance.