Childcare while job hunting, what worked? after 9 years as an electrician's helper

I have 9 kids and I need to interview and work without a sitter. I am in Atlanta, in case local advice matters. A neighbour offered help but not every day. How long did subsidies take?

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

Our county's childcare assistance took about 7 weeks to approve, but it covered most of the cost.