Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have worked in two home daycares and in two childcare centers. I would never work at another home daycare or put my children in one. Yes, the parents may love them but once the doors close, and the parents are gone, it's completely different. Usually there isn't an extra set of hands or eyes. You really need an extra set of eyes. Providers say they don't do this (no tv watching or with holding food) but I witness it. They are lovely in front of parents and then horrible to the kids. Child care centers are a bit more secure to me. Extra eyes and hands. You may not have that one stable person in the classroom but you will have teachers that will get to know your child closely and care for them. Child care centers are more strict. It's VERY strict actually. A lot of things that we, as teachers, must do or must not do. It's annoying on a teachers end because it's chaotic, but it's worth it. I understand that not all home daycare centers are like this but I'm just saying, be careful.
Its odd because my best friend, who has been a teacher in FCPS, worked in center day cares (2 states) all throughout college and graduate school and expresses the exact opposite sentiments about home vs. center, the level of engagement- chaos, attention, etc. and has her children in a home.
I'm not saying your experience doesn't ring 100% true. Its just so frustrating because I am sure her experience rings 100% true as well. So what are parents to do?!