In-Home Daycare vs. Center

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done both and would only recommend centers. Even though we really liked our center-care provider, I came early for pick up one day to find her sleeping on the couch, TV on, young kids unsupervised. That kind of human slip up just never happens in the centers--too many people and systems in place. And no TV!

All it takes is one mistake for something terrible to happen. Sad but true. We really did like her, but couldn't trust her with our 18-month-old after that.

^^in-home provider, that is, as I'm sure you can gather from context!

You walked into her house without knocking? Weird

Her 14yo DD let me in. Thanks for playing!

Yikes, bitter much? Not sure why you're so smug after leaving your child in an unsatisfactory situation.

I didn't, idiot. Learn to read. Pulled my child immediately and found a great center.

OP, some parents of kids in centers may resort to name-calling.

[Anonymous]

I toured both in home and center daycares, and ultimately ended up at a home this year for my (then) 18 month old.

I'm sure there are crummy home daycares, but when you find a good one it is honestly a second home for your kid. They look at him like an individual instead of following a set of rules that cannot be broken. (Example--he was really attached to his pacifier. Center said no child who can walk can have a pacifier at any time. Home daycare said they'd work to help wean him off it, but he should totally bring it during transitioning and keep it for naps. Center said they would begin potty training on his 2nd birthday--not before or after. Home let me know when they thought he was ready, and we came up with a timeline together.)

My home daycare has 4 providers (1 lead, 1-2 assistants at all times) for 8 kids, all between 1 and 3 years old. It's cozy. They do all the things the big centers do (outside time, art projects, stories, music), but with more flexibility, imo.

My son is happy, healthy, and loved (SO LOVED!) and that is what matters to me. He has tons of time to be in a more rigid environment as the years go on. When he's 2, I just want him to get hugs and be warm and fed and get to play.

The centers I toured (granted only 3 of them) were chaotic, noisy, the number of kids was overwhelming, and the structure was too much to me. I went to some crummy homes too, but when I found a good one it made it clear that was the right choice for us.

OP, tour both. You'll know when you find the right one.

[Anonymous]

OP checking back. Wow, I didn't expect my thread to become so busy ... I can see that there are many opinions, and I respect that.

The option to tour is a good suggestion, though I have a feeling it will still be tough to figure it out. I don't have any personal recommendations to go by (e.g., a place used by a friend/family member), so reading up here from others is very helpful.

PP, or any other who does not mind to comment again, is age 3 the time to certainly transition to a daycare or preschool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done both and would only recommend centers. Even though we really liked our center-care provider, I came early for pick up one day to find her sleeping on the couch, TV on, young kids unsupervised. That kind of human slip up just never happens in the centers--too many people and systems in place. And no TV!

All it takes is one mistake for something terrible to happen. Sad but true. We really did like her, but couldn't trust her with our 18-month-old after that.

^^in-home provider, that is, as I'm sure you can gather from context!

You walked into her house without knocking? Weird

Not weird at all! I provide childcare in my home and tell all the parents to come in anytime without knocking. I'm a mom too and understand that their babies are in my home. They are welcome to come see them any time! I have approved cots/cribs for the children.

Pp- I'm shocked she was using her couch for the sleeping toddler. I also use TV but only with the blessing of the parents. I have rotating "centers" to keep the children entertained so we rarely watch a full program. We spend time outside and take walks in almost all weather. I'm not sure if centers provide as much time spent outside.

OP - Good luck with you search

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done both and would only recommend centers. Even though we really liked our center-care provider, I came early for pick up one day to find her sleeping on the couch, TV on, young kids unsupervised. That kind of human slip up just never happens in the centers--too many people and systems in place. And no TV!

All it takes is one mistake for something terrible to happen. Sad but true. We really did like her, but couldn't trust her with our 18-month-old after that.

^^in-home provider, that is, as I'm sure you can gather from context!

You walked into her house without knocking? Weird

Not weird at all! I provide childcare in my home and tell all the parents to come in anytime without knocking. I'm a mom too and understand that their babies are in my home. They are welcome to come see them any time! I have approved cots/cribs for the children.

Pp- I'm shocked she was using her couch for the sleeping toddler. I also use TV but only with the blessing of the parents. I have rotating "centers" to keep the children entertained so we rarely watch a full program. We spend time outside and take walks in almost all weather. I'm not sure if centers provide as much time spent outside.

OP - Good luck with you search

Wait - I think I misread your post. The provider was sleeping on the couch? Oh dear! I thought your daughter was. I'd pull my child immediately too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done both and would only recommend centers. Even though we really liked our center-care provider, I came early for pick up one day to find her sleeping on the couch, TV on, young kids unsupervised. That kind of human slip up just never happens in the centers--too many people and systems in place. And no TV!

All it takes is one mistake for something terrible to happen. Sad but true. We really did like her, but couldn't trust her with our 18-month-old after that.

^^in-home provider, that is, as I'm sure you can gather from context!

You walked into her house without knocking? Weird

Not weird at all! I provide childcare in my home and tell all the parents to come in anytime without knocking. I'm a mom too and understand that their babies are in my home. They are welcome to come see them any time! I have approved cots/cribs for the children.

Pp- I'm shocked she was using her couch for the sleeping toddler. I also use TV but only with the blessing of the parents. I have rotating "centers" to keep the children entertained so we rarely watch a full program. We spend time outside and take walks in almost all weather. I'm not sure if centers provide as much time spent outside.

OP - Good luck with you search

How does the parent get in your house without knocking or ringing the bell? Do you keep your door unlocked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done both and would only recommend centers. Even though we really liked our center-care provider, I came early for pick up one day to find her sleeping on the couch, TV on, young kids unsupervised. That kind of human slip up just never happens in the centers--too many people and systems in place. And no TV!

All it takes is one mistake for something terrible to happen. Sad but true. We really did like her, but couldn't trust her with our 18-month-old after that.

^^in-home provider, that is, as I'm sure you can gather from context!

You walked into her house without knocking? Weird

Not weird at all! I provide childcare in my home and tell all the parents to come in anytime without knocking. I'm a mom too and understand that their babies are in my home. They are welcome to come see them any time! I have approved cots/cribs for the children.

Pp- I'm shocked she was using her couch for the sleeping toddler. I also use TV but only with the blessing of the parents. I have rotating "centers" to keep the children entertained so we rarely watch a full program. We spend time outside and take walks in almost all weather. I'm not sure if centers provide as much time spent outside.

OP - Good luck with you search

How does the parent get in your house without knocking or ringing the bell? Do you keep your door unlocked?

Key code. I also have security system in place to turn on/off alarm via phone as needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done both and would only recommend centers. Even though we really liked our center-care provider, I came early for pick up one day to find her sleeping on the couch, TV on, young kids unsupervised. That kind of human slip up just never happens in the centers--too many people and systems in place. And no TV!

All it takes is one mistake for something terrible to happen. Sad but true. We really did like her, but couldn't trust her with our 18-month-old after that.

^^in-home provider, that is, as I'm sure you can gather from context!

You walked into her house without knocking? Weird

Not weird at all! I provide childcare in my home and tell all the parents to come in anytime without knocking. I'm a mom too and understand that their babies are in my home. They are welcome to come see them any time! I have approved cots/cribs for the children.

Pp- I'm shocked she was using her couch for the sleeping toddler. I also use TV but only with the blessing of the parents. I have rotating "centers" to keep the children entertained so we rarely watch a full program. We spend time outside and take walks in almost all weather. I'm not sure if centers provide as much time spent outside.

OP - Good luck with you search

Re: outdoors at centers---yes, our center takes them on walks frequently and provides outdoor time on 3 large playgrounds every day, weather permitting. They even sent a note suggesting full snow gear for today to get out in the snow! So OP shouldn't make assumptions about that kind of thing based on incorrect assumptions from this thread--tour the places and find out!

[Anonymous]

We have done both. We strongly prefer the security, reliability, no-TV atmosphere of the center. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks back, everyone. I am still wondering, for knowledge, are these in-home centers places where children stay until age 3, and then its the norm to send the child to preschool? Or, do some parents opt for daycare until it is time for Kindergarten? Sorry for all the questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks back, everyone. I am still wondering, for knowledge, are these in-home centers places where children stay until age 3, and then its the norm to send the child to preschool? Or, do some parents opt for daycare until it is time for Kindergarten? Sorry for all the questions.

OP - "it is" I meant

[Anonymous]

I keep seeing "no TV" as a big recurring positive for center based care. Our in-home doesn't have a television, but even if it did, I'm not sure I'd mind if it was on occasionally. Are people really so rigid? Is there no TV at home as well? We have a 9 month old, so it may be different for older children.

[Anonymous]

I have used both in-home care and center-based care. Either can work well, but you must tour each of your options and talk to parents who have their children there.

As it happened, I had a bad experience with the in-home care, but I do not think that means you can't find wonderful, experienced in-home providers that do a great job. I just think you have to look carefully to find those great providers.

I put my first child into home-based care, because I thought it would be better for an infant. The home-based provider I chose had an assistant who was wonderful with infants. However, the assistant left when my child turned one and it became clear the owner was incompetent with toddlers and older children. I found a great center that we have been with ever since. As it turned out, the infant care at the center was great for my second child.

My point is, that you can find great, loving care in either setting.

Good luck, OP. Believe me, I understand how difficult it is when you are looking for childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP checking back. Wow, I didn't expect my thread to become so busy ... I can see that there are many opinions, and I respect that.

The option to tour is a good suggestion, though I have a feeling it will still be tough to figure it out. I don't have any personal recommendations to go by (e.g., a place used by a friend/family member), so reading up here from others is very helpful.

PP, or any other who does not mind to comment again, is age 3 the time to certainly transition to a daycare or preschool?

I think it depends on the in-home provider. Some do choose to send their children to a pre-school somewhere in the 2-3 year old range. But I'm sure there are great in-home providers out there that provide care up until kids go to kindergarten that includes prep for school. You should be able to get a feel for these things if you talk to parents who have used that provider.

My experience in the center has been similar, actually. Around age 3, a number of kids left our center to go to other preschool programs, because their parents wanted a specific type of program (for example, Montessori). Others have stayed with the preschool program at our center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in a center and my infant daughter is at a home daycare. I definitely prefer the center. One day the home provider overslept and didn't answer the door. Plus the take home report has a lot of misspellings of simple words (poop) that I worry what she's teaching the toddlers.

Oh please -- half of the assistants in our daycare barely speak any English. Trust me, our daily sheets have TONS of spelling errors and I guarantee my kid isn't being taught proper grammar. But honestly, at 3 years old, does it really matter? I doubt your daycare provider is teaching anyone how to spell poop.