Working parents who are too busy usually find a babysitter to look after their children while they are away. With the current economic climate causing an uncontrollable spike in childcare costs, hiring a babysitter for childcare may no longer be a wise decision. You can discover a babysitter from various sources over the internet.

While this is widely recognized as practical and effective, times are changing rapidly and new alternatives to babysitting are emerging. 

Few do not know that there is an inexpensive alternative to hiring a babysitter that parents can actually use. These community childcare groups, known as childcare cooperatives, can actually eliminate childcare costs through a seat swap system. 

For those unfamiliar with collaborative childcare, the term describes a group of parents who share childcare facilities with one another. 

Babysitting cooperatives operate on a "points exchange" system. Parenting points are awarded to members who perform childcare duties and points are deducted when childcare services are used. 

Joining a babysitter cooperative is very easy. When you're done with that, you can even start a babysitter in your own community with close friends, neighbors, and relatives as early members. Some websites can help you find the nearest daycare center and even process your membership application.