In-Home Daycare vs. Center

[Anonymous]

We've done both. Center care works best for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

There's two.

[Anonymous]

OP checking back. I need to go through all notes coming in, but just wanted to thank everyone for the useful and thoughtful input. I'm now seeing other threads asking for recommendations, and it makes me anxious that we aren't on any waiting lists for either an in-home or daycare center. I know, better get on it with the touring, etc. Again, thanks all, and if more responses come in, I'll be glad to read them as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

This is 100% exactly how I feel (down to the number of references I called!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

You are missing the fact that home daycares are licensed by the county and state and have to undergo multiple inspections (most surprises) a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

You are missing the fact that home daycares are licensed by the county and state and have to undergo multiple inspections (most surprises) a year.

You are also missing the fact that a home daycare is owned and operated by someone with a vested interested in your child's care - your child's well-being is her present and future livelihood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

You are missing the fact that home daycares are licensed by the county and state and have to undergo multiple inspections (most surprises) a year.

You are also missing the fact that a home daycare is owned and operated by someone with a vested interested in your child's care - your child's well-being is her present and future livelihood.

Absolutely -- and in the age of the internet/mom's groups/list servs, it is super easy to destroy someone's livelihood whether they deserve it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

You are missing the fact that home daycares are licensed by the county and state and have to undergo multiple inspections (most surprises) a year.

You are also missing the fact that a home daycare is owned and operated by someone with a vested interested in your child's care - your child's well-being is her present and future livelihood.

Absolutely -- and in the age of the internet/mom's groups/list servs, it is super easy to destroy someone's livelihood whether they deserve it or not.

What is your point? Do you have - or do you know someone who has - a vendetta against home daycare providers? Or against the parents of children they care for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

You are missing the fact that home daycares are licensed by the county and state and have to undergo multiple inspections (most surprises) a year.

You are also missing the fact that a home daycare is owned and operated by someone with a vested interested in your child's care - your child's well-being is her present and future livelihood.

Absolutely -- and in the age of the internet/mom's groups/list servs, it is super easy to destroy someone's livelihood whether they deserve it or not.

What is your point? Do you have - or do you know someone who has - a vendetta against home daycare providers? Or against the parents of children they care for?

Oh my god, no, what is wrong with you that you would make that assumption?? I'm just saying that if a provider treated a child poorly, word would get around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the home daycare fans, how do you deal with the lack of oversight?

That's the thing...I wouldn't really consider there to be a lack of oversight. We did a background check, talked to 5 references (2 of which were from our listserv and not provided directly by the care-provider), and have years of clean state and county inspection records to look through. We have relationships with the other parents with children there and they're also happy with the care provided.

Ultimately, you place trust with the person you leave your child with regardless of whether that's at an in-home or at a center. Honestly, I feel very good about doing the vetting of our care provider myself rather than relying on a center to do it with the person they've employed.

But if there's one person working there....

Maybe I am missing something.

You are missing the fact that home daycares are licensed by the county and state and have to undergo multiple inspections (most surprises) a year.

You are also missing the fact that a home daycare is owned and operated by someone with a vested interested in your child's care - your child's well-being is her present and future livelihood.

Absolutely -- and in the age of the internet/mom's groups/list servs, it is super easy to destroy someone's livelihood whether they deserve it or not.

What is your point? Do you have - or do you know someone who has - a vendetta against home daycare providers? Or against the parents of children they care for?

Oh my god, no, what is wrong with you that you would make that assumption?? I'm just saying that if a provider treated a child poorly, word would get around.

I don't know what is wrong with me I totally misread that! Yes word would get around.

[Anonymous]

I think there are good and bad in both. I worked in a few centers years ago. Many parents liked the hours so they could have their child there from 6-600 p.m. They are open most days in the year. It wasn't as structured as people think. Too many children per provider, not enough one on one attention; and many aggression problems because of so many kids. Kids are usually more sick in centers. Centers are much more expensive, but you are paying for that convenience.

Home daycare is as good as the person who is running it like anything else. It can be great if you find a provider who is reliable and has made it a career. Your child is getting more one on one attention, many do preschool which can be a much better deal for the parent. On the downside once you have chosen a "home", it functions as a home so it's not a parent's business who they have visiting, a parent can't hang out, and basically there's less control. Of course with a center they often have many staff changes because of low pay etc. Overall, both can be good and bad depending on ones needs imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I agree. My sister had the neighborhood lady babysit her kids util they went to school. (no license) She was great, and she went to both of their weddings. Good care can come from a home or a center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are good and bad in both. I worked in a few centers years ago. Many parents liked the hours so they could have their child there from 6-600 p.m. They are open most days in the year. It wasn't as structured as people think. Too many children per provider, not enough one on one attention; and many aggression problems because of so many kids. Kids are usually more sick in centers. Centers are much more expensive, but you are paying for that convenience.

Home daycare is as good as the person who is running it like anything else. It can be great if you find a provider who is reliable and has made it a career. Your child is getting more one on one attention, many do preschool which can be a much better deal for the parent. On the downside once you have chosen a "home", it functions as a home so it's not a parent's business who they have visiting, a parent can't hang out, and basically there's less control. Of course with a center they often have many staff changes because of low pay etc. Overall, both can be good and bad depending on ones needs imo.

"On the downside once you have chosen a "home", it functions as a home so it's not a parent's business who they have visiting, a parent can't hang out"
Family home is not supposed to have visitors during daycare hours and most choose not to as it interferes with business and can be disruptive to the kids. Also if parents want to "hang out" they should do this at home with their kids not at daycare. Again, it is disruptive to the daycare routine and can make the kids uneasy.

[Anonymous]

If you take your child to a home, they will have visitors whether it's family or the repair man. That's a given, a home is not a center.