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In Brazil, it is common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day. Often times in Latin family structures, the child's grandparents are the primary daytime caregivers. If grandparents are not available, duties may fall to other members of the family like aunts, uncles, or siblings.

Childcare

The need for long term child care is common as many families have both parents in the work force.

Pre-school education, or Educação Infantil, is optional and offers a choice between:

• Maternal, or state-run creches, for children aged two to five. Tends to be more of a play group.
• Jardim, for children from three to six years of age and of more academic focus.

Parents and child usually meet with the school before enrollment and decide which school to attend based on the academic and social skills of the child. The school will advise parents where their child fits best. All state pre-schools and nurseries are free of charge, but may not be the best option. They can be quite overcrowded and poorly funded. The private sector has grown to offer an alternative for those that can pay, with prices around $10-15 per child, per hour. This average can vary wildly depending on where you go. There are also many NGO's that provide adequate childcare for disadvantaged children, like www.dreamscanbe.org. These organizations are usually a foreign, nonprofit, charity organization that supports impoverished youth in Brazil.

To hire a caregiver, www.care.com/brazil is an excellent resource. There is also a listing of creches at this site: telelistas.net/1/29_RJ/21000_rio-janeiro/210/278/452/26816/creches. To find a nanny, the sites listed under "Au Pair" are a wonderful way to find the perfect fit for your family. You may also refer to the Au Pair section for more options.

Babysitting

For temporary or short-term childcare, babysitting may be more desirable. This duty is often given to a close friend or neighbour versus a total stranger. There are other services available if you do not have someone you know that is able to babysit.

Hotels also offer temporary services for childcare:

InterContinental Hotel Rio
Av Prefeito Mendes De Morais 222
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22610-095
(55) 21-3323-2200

Sheraton Rio Hotel & Towers
Av Niemeyer 121
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22450-220
(55) 21-2274-1122

Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Av Atlantica 4240, Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22070-002
(55) 21-2525-1232

Caesar Park Hotel Ipanema
Av Vieira Souto 460
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22420-000
+(55) 21-2525-2525