in home day care vs center-based?

[Anonymous]

Newbie here: what are the pros and cons in your experiences of an in-home day care versus a center-based day care. I am looking into options and I realize that I have a very biased view of in-home day care---growing up my neighbors used to run one. The "director" would sometimes have her daughter (an unlicensed high school student) watch the kids while she would be doing other things. However, I know that that is not the universe of in home day cares, so would love to hear your thoughts as I try to open my mind. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I prefer an in home daycare for young (under 3 years old) children. I enjoy having my child in a home setting with just 4-5 other children of different ages instead of in a room with 8-12 children the same age. It just seems like that is a lot to handle for the caregivers whereas with a small group of multi-aged children, it's more time spent with the children.

The ones in this area have very strict licensing standards and unannounced drop ins that help to keep them in check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newbie here: what are the pros and cons in your experiences of an in-home day care versus a center-based day care. I am looking into options and I realize that I have a very biased view of in-home day care---growing up my neighbors used to run one. The "director" would sometimes have her daughter (an unlicensed high school student) watch the kids while she would be doing other things. However, I know that that is not the universe of in home day cares, so would love to hear your thoughts as I try to open my mind. Thanks!

My almost 16 yo "helps" with the kids, playing, music, activities, etc while I might be washing and fixing a bottle, snack, helping another child with something or changing a diaper. It really isnt a big deal. They can be helpers, doesnt require a license/permit because she is never left alone with the kids. She would need to be at least 18 and she still wouldnt need a license (assistants do not have licenses either. Only the owner of the daycare). They do need CPR/First aid training, a certain number of hours of training as well as a class if she will administer meds. Oh and the criminal background check is done beginning at age 14 on all those in the house. thats it.

As for the difference in center vs in home. There are those who believe centers are better because there are more eyes watching and more chances for those to report if something is going on with a child. ie abuse. Whereas in home there may or may not be an assistant helping (i have never had an asssitant help me, I have done it all alone and never had any problems with it). To me centers are too institutionalized, in home has a more homey feeling, esp for those who are in care for long periods at a time. Mine are treated as if they were my own, it becomes a small family. in the end it is all about personal choice.

[Anonymous]

We went with a center. I was worried about the impersonal feel of a center, but the one my child at isn't impersonal at all and there are a max of six infants in one room with two care-givers.

I feel more comfortable with a center because there are more eyes on the kids, as a pp mentioned. And I like that infants are separate from bigger kids -- some of my friends who have children in mixed rooms have mentioned biting etc. -- I know that may be an issue in toddler rooms at a center, but little infants seem so helpless even compared to a toddler.

Also, I liked the reliability of a center. Ours only closes if the Federal government is closed, so we don't have to worry about scheduling around illness/vacations.

The negatives are that there is turn-over with her care-givers -- although so far it's been the same 3-5 women depending on the time of day and during the majority of the day she's with the same two care-givers.

I think if I had a highly recommended in home provider and had a job where I could take off time with little notice, I'd be more inclined to go that route.

[Anonymous]

We also went with a center. I like the accountability, and the resources that the center has in terms of activities, toys, playground, programming, etc. I didn't find the center impersonal or cold at all--the staff are really warm and affectionate, and all the teachers know all the kids, not just the ones in their room. I also like the reliability of the center. We've had minimal staff turnover.

[Anonymous]

In terms of attachment and security, an in-home day care is better. Babies do get attached to caregivers and even if there isn't frequent turnover, having to move from room to room, as many day cares do with babies and toddlers every few months isn't good for them.

An institutional care setting has more eyes, that's true, but not necessarily more accountability. There are some horrible day cares out there, where substandard care is just the norm. If you can find a great in-home day care, it's much better for your child to have one caregiver for as long a period as possible. Make sure you do your due diligence in checking out a day care provider or center. Also, in the early weeks, I would make unexpected visits and have hubby/grandma/aunt, etc. do so as well.

Also, trust your intuition. If your child doesn't seem really happy and something seems off, go with your gut.

And, make sure you check your state or DC's department of human services to make sure there are no previous complaints against the daycare center or provider and do background checks.

Good luck.