Childcare while job hunting, what worked? - any advice?

My hours will change when I find a job and childcare is my biggest worry. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I am willing to trade favours. How long did subsidies take?

Our county's childcare assistance took about 22 weeks to approve, but it covered most of the cost.

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.