Sisters moms start new child care co-op

Two Sisters moms were looking for child care options for their little ones and decided to make their own solution.

Faith Curtis and Melissa Robertson are starting a child care co-op in which families share child care responsibilities and no money changes hands.

“It’s just such a big hit to pay for child care,” said Curtis.

Curtis has a two-year-old and a four-month-old baby. Her friend Robertson has a 16-month-old with a second baby on the way. The two moms held a meeting last weekend where five families shared their dreams for a child care co-op.

The moms researched their idea and came up with several guidelines. Parents won’t care for more than four children under the age of five at the same time.

Homes will be checked to make sure they are safe. And the families will have monthly meetings to make sure the co-op starts off smoothly.

The co-op will keep track of hours spent in care and given toward care. The founders said a co-op is best for moms with part-time jobs so they have time available to provide care.

Curtis and Robertson said they are looking for more Sisters families with similar ideas about raising children. They want to provide learning activities ranging from coloring to outside play.

“These children aren’t going to be sat in front of the television for hours,” said Curtis.

Robertson is familiar with co-op care since her mother started one that she was in as a toddler. In a co-op, children make new friends and develop social skills.

The moms hope their idea spreads and can branch into co-op groups throughout Central Oregon.

Sisters families can find out more by e-mailing [email protected]