Licensed in-home daycares are people who have worked with their state and obtained a daycare licenses. They have done the entire required baby proofing and often carry set hours along with holidays off. In most states it’s also required to be up to date on first aid along with CPR training. They receive money for food from the government and can accept certain types of income assistance programs. Typically they will carry a maximum of children per one person which in some areas can be as many as 7 kids to one person. Their homes are exactly that, their homes. Sometimes these people will turn a select area of their home into the daycare area or transform a basement into a learning zone, but not always. These types of in-home daycares can also charge you just as much as a daycare center because they are licensed.
Non-licensed in-home daycare providers don’t fall into any category. They can charge what they want; they can follow whatever meal plans they chose, along with running the day however they please. Nannies will often fall into this category, although nannies typically work in your home rather than their own. On average the ratio of kids to adult is much lower. Typically hours are not set and holiday’s are not taken off. If you have an odd ball schedule this is the type of daycare you would find a best fit. People who fall in this category yet hold CPR/first aid training have obtained it completely on their own will. They provide all the food for your children out of their own pockets.
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So with these three things listed, most people assume that the daycare center is the best and the non-licensed provider is the worst. Typically people feel their children aren’t going to be as safe, or as taken care of. I, personally, still have yet to figure out why. Why would the non-licensed provider be anymore likely to be unkind to your child then a licensed provider? Why would she be more willing to feed your child junk food all day long, afterall, it is more expensive to buy chips and cookies over fruit and veggies. Often times we assume that because a license is held, they are following all the rules completely, but that’s not always the case.
Your best bet upon choosing a daycare option is to go about it in this manner. Start off by figuring out your budget. Consider things like, the hours you’re need care for, including your commute, what meals your daycare will be providing, what sorts of activities you’d like your child to do (or learn). Write all these things down ahead of time along with other interview questions. When you’ve got a list of interview questions ready, then start setting up some interviews. If you’re not sure where your child would be a best fit, make sure you set up interviews with all three sorts of daycare facilities. Ask for tours, ask what their policy is about parents dropping in, check their no show policies, question things as far as, do they charge for you to be on vacation. If you have older children, see if they can come along to see the new place. Kids will give an amazingly honest opinion even if it’s in the form of emotions rather than words. See how your child responds to the workers, the areas. If you’re interviewing with private people, make sure to get references and makes sure to check them!
Once you’ve decided on a daycare place find out what their policy for a trial run is. Most any professional daycare person/place will agree with you that a trial run is necessary. They won’t necessarily give it to you for free, but typically at a discounted rate. In most cases, it will take your little one a week or more to warm up to the idea of daycare, especially if they are new to the game. This is okay, it’s okay for them to cry, it’s okay for you to cry. Bottom line is, it’s going to be okay! Daycare can often be a big scary parenting hurdle and it often doesn’t have to be. Just take your time and make sure you are comfortable. This is one moment you absolutely have to trust your mommy gut.
Being a daycare provider, this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Sometimes I think new moms and even seasoned moms get quite nervous when it comes to selecting daycare. So, here are some of my main suggestions about choosing a daycare and feeling good about it!
Daytime Options:
When selecting daycare, in most areas you have several choices. Daycare centers, licensed in-home daycare and non-licensed in-home daycare. People often automatically assume that a daycare center is going to be the best situation and fit for most children, along with the safest and I’m here to let you in on a little secret: it may not be! Daycare centers will by far charge the most out of all three options. They will have the largest child to teacher ratio and they will likely be the most structured. Daycare centers will also have the most children in one place and therefore will expose your little guy to the most amounts of germs. Daycare’s will likely offer structured hours and be closed on holidays, so if your job doesn’t offer the same joys, then good luck finding a daycare to accommodate your childcare needs. If your child craves more one on one attention or just need a couple of extra snuggles to help with the adjustment, a center might not be the best fit. If you want a little more free play for your guy during the day, you might want to check elsewhere.
