In this white hot job market, a lot of companies and industry organizations have begun to recognize that offering onsite childcare is a huge lure to getting and keeping professional talent. These institutions are often of superior quality and are open to drop in visits at all hours. If your company doesn't have one, start a buzz. You may be surprised at how much support you get from coworkers and upper management. Chances are, they have kids too.

Consider a neighborhood co-op if the going-back-to-work parent isn't going to be back-in-the-harness five days a week, full time or if you're working a 4/40. Ask if one or more friends/neighbors are each willing to watch kids one day a week. You can agree to an alternating plan. Myrtle watches them Monday, Martin on Tuesday, Gladys on Wednesday, you on Thursday and you all take Friday off. That's three days a week you get free childcare for the price of being in charge for one. What a deal!

Do you have relatives nearby? These days, a lot of folks don't, but if you do, it seldom takes much cajoling to induce Grandpa or Aunt Martha to take the little dears off your hands a couple days a week. There is a special bond forged between skipped generations, and your kids will treasure their memories of time spent with their grands.

If there is a sprightly senior citizen in your neighborhood who loves kids, she may be willing to watch them a day or two a week. You may be able to trade daycare for errand running.