Care Aide LPN or RN?

I'm a single mom with an almost-1 year old and will be starting some part time school this September. I will be taking English and Anatomy, which are 2 required courses in first year for the RN program, so I'll have those 2 courses knocked off and it'll decrease my course load when I start the RN program.

I know I would like to be an RN. I'm just debating what to do next year. One thing I'm worried about is starting the RN program, something coming up, not finishing the program, and then having to start back at square one.

I'm considering is taking either the Care Aide program or the LPN program first. I could probably get the schooling paid for, since they're short programs and I've been on EI recently, and it would give me an understanding of the field.

Should I jump straight into the RN or start smaller first? I know there's a residence being built just down the road from me that is looking for care aides and LPN's. I'm sure I could find a job here as either one.

Advice from those in the field?