Childcare while job hunting, what worked? - 10 months and counting

My hours will change when I find a job and childcare is my biggest worry. I have been trying to stay organised about it. I looked into subsidies but the forms are long. Is there an emergency option?

I swapped afternoons with another parent. It took some planning and saved us both money.

Our county's childcare assistance took about 21 weeks to approve, but it covered most of the cost.