Drop-In Childcare and Babysitting Resources in Tarrant County

Sometimes Mom & Dad just need a break! Here are your best bets to find a sitter or drop-in play care in Tarrant County.

This one is 7 going on 17. She *thinks* she's old enough to be home alone, but we aren't quite there yet.

Good childcare can be hard to come by. Especially if you are new to the area or simply don't know anyone with older kids who can come watch the kids while you run errands or take a well-deserved break. 

I agonized for a long time, wondering when my kids were going to be old enough to leave home alone. While Texas doesn't have a law, per se, about the age at which you can leave a child home alone, there are opinions floating out there about an appropriate age (generally, its around 10 or 11). 

Read my full article for Zulily about when kids can stay home alone!

If you need time without the kids, you have options!

Babysitting Agencies that Serve Tarrant County

Want to hire a sitter or nanny to come to your home but you don't know where to start? Here are a few great resources!

Sitting Made Simple: Hire someone for a summer or for a single day. You have options here!

College Nannies & Sitters: If you are in north Tarrant County and need a night away, here is a great spot to find a trust sitter for your kids. 

Babysitters of Dallas: This service providers caregivers to fit all of your needs. 

Drop-in Playcare Spots in Tarrant County

If you need to run errands but don't want the kids with you but the kids need out of the house, too, then drop in playcare is for you! Think of playcare as dropping your kids at an indoor playground with childminders on site. They get to play and have fun and you get to be kid-free for a bit!

KidsPark Arlington: Drop your kids at this spot in the Highlands and then go catch a movie, grab a bite to eat, shop or just relax! Your kids will have so much fun they won't have time to miss you!

PlaySpace Fort Worth:  This Fort Worth spot is the perfect place for you to send the kids so you can shop at Kendra Scott, Lululemon, the Apple Store and more in University Park Village. Fun for them and fun for you!

Adventure Kids Playcare: With locations in Southlake and north Fort Worth, Adventure Kids in the place my kids beg to go. Our friends own the Flower Mound location, and my girls hang out their sometimes. I'll get a pedicure or shop at Market Street or Central Market and they are happy and crafting or playing. Now if they will just open an Arlington location...

Standing out side Adventure Kids in Southlake.

Car Safety & Kids: Resources in the Arlington Area!

We recently got a new Telluride (confession: I'm still a little sad that I'm no longer a minivan mama!), and my 11-year-old has been begging to sit in the front seat. Legally, she is allowed to sit in the front seat of a car. But, in my mind at least, she is still a kid, and I wondered if this is a safe choice.

11. In the front seat of my (parked!) car.

I did a lot of research on the topic for my article for Zulily, so please check out the in-depth answer on the link!

The short answer to the question of when a kiddo can ride in the front seat, according to the CDC, is this: a child should not sit in the front seat until he or she is 13 years old. Although the law states it can be earlier, it is safest for a child to remain the backseat of a vehicle until age 13 (AND when the child is 4'9" in height). The back middle seat in any vehicle is actually the safest spot for any passenger in the car!

Kiddos should actually be in a booster until at least age 9.

Which Car Seat does My Kiddo Need? A By-Age Breakdown

Ages 0-4  
Rear-facing car seat: A child should be restrained in a rear-facing car seat from birth until at least 2 years of age, although doing so until at least age 4 is strongly encouraged. An infant carrier can be used for a child up until about 12 months of age/one year old. 

Ages 4-8  
Forward-facing car seat: A forward-facing car seat should be used once a child outgrows his rear-facing car seat until at least age 5.  

Ages 8-12  
Booster seat: A booster seat should be used after a child outgrows his forward-facing car seat and until an adult seat belt fits the child properly. For this to happen, a child must be at least 4’9” tall and typically between the ages of 9 and 12. 

Ages 12+  

Regular seat belt: a seat belt should be used by everyone in the vehicle throughout every trip. The shoulder strap should be placed properly across a rider’s chest and not looped behind his neck.  

If you aren't sure if your kiddo is in the proper seat for her age, height and weight, or if you aren't sure if your car seat is installed correctly, don't worry! There are several local resources available to you!

Image from CarSeatsfortheLittles.org

Arlington-Area Car Seat Safety Resources

1. Texas Health offers car seat safety classes several times a year. Click on the link to register. 

2. Cook Children's is currently offering free virtual safety checks, via Safe Kids, for car seats. 

3. The Arlington Police Department takes appointments to help make sure your car seats are properly installed. 

Car accidents are still the leading cause of death in kiddos, so make sure your child is properly restrained during every ride! 

Do you let your kiddo ride in the front seat of your car?