For 20 million families across the United States, one common concern for parents is who will watch their children during summer vacation while they work part- or full-time jobs.  With the way the economy has influenced the American job market and our daily financial decisions, finding affordable childcare all summer long has become increasingly stressful.  

However, there are still several affordable options out there, many of them available right in your local community.  Here are some helpful tips for finding the right type of childcare during the summer months:  

1. Enrollment in Summer School Classes
Many local schools provide summer sessions that will allow your kids to continue to learn and play with their friends during the week.  To learn more about local summer school programs, contact your local school district's office and ask about what types of summer session programs they are offering this year.

2. Signing up for Summer Camp
Summer day camps or sleep-away camps are a great way for your children to be entertained and socialize with their peers.  You can also enroll your kids in a specific type of camp, based on their interests.  For example, kids that love the culinary arts can attend a Children's Cooking Camp, and those interested in Astronomy may appreciate spending the summer at Space Camp.

3. In-Home Childcare Services
Due to factors such as families taking summer vacations together and schoolteacher moms being able to stay home with their kids, the demand for in-home childcare services naturally decreases during the summer.  And as more caregivers become available during these months, it is the perfect time for you to see if hiring one would be the right decision for your family.        

4. Childcare Services from a Stay-At-Home Mom
Do you have a friend or neighbor that's a stay-at-home mom?  Perhaps she'd like to earn some extra cash this summer, watching your kids while you're at work.  It might also provide a good opportunity for your children to participate in outdoor games and activities with other kids, rather than the usual routine of watching television or playing video games.  

5. Hiring a Nanny for the Summer
Although many parents associate the idea of hiring a nanny with the concept of living a life of wealth and luxury, the truth is that the cost of having a nanny is more affordable than people realize.  A summer nanny could be a local college student who is back home with her family for the summer, and wants to earn some summer cash without being obligated to commit to a long-term position.  You can also see if any of your friends, relatives, or neighbors have hired a nanny, and you can split the costs with them.  

Whichever method of summer supervision you choose, remember to make your summer childcare plans early, in case classes become full, sign-ups have deadlines, local nannies are booked, etc.  And once your children's school opens again in the fall, you will realize that you made the right decision in the way you kept your kids safe and supervised all summer long.