Top Reasons To Consider Family Child Care
Adapted From Robin McClure, former About.com Guide
There may be no place like home for your child, but finding a
quality in-home child care provider can be the next best thing. Many families
tout the benefits of using family child care, where early childhood educators
care for a smaller number of kids in the comfort of their home. Here are
reasons to consider family care.
Kids Receive Care in Home Situation
Family child care is an attractive option for many families, in part because the care
setting is essentially a home away from home. Quality care providers can offer
families the comfort of care in a setting similar to what kids are used to at
their own home, complete with a living room, play area, kitchen, back yard and
bathrooms. In-home providers typically treat their charges as extended members
of their own family, and a small (and manageable) number of children in their
care means that the brood can often take "family" outings to the park or story
hour, or even nature hikes or sidewalk strolls. Meals are usually served family
style in a central dining area, and comfort, familiarity, and small group
activities are enticements.
Child-Provider Ratios are Small
Licensed home providers operate within the regulations specified by the state in which they
reside, and one of those requirements is how many kids can be kept by any one
family provider. While the number may vary, most in-home providers care for six
or less children. Often, providers may choose to keep less. Compare that to a
daycare setting where sizes may be larger, and it is easy to understand why this
can be a preferred option for many families. When considering in-home care, an
important question to ask is how many kids will be cared for during any given
day, and whether that number changes based on circumstances.
Family Providers Are Often Close and Convenient
Family care providers can often be found in the
same neighborhoods, or at least nearby, where you live, so convenience plays a
key role. Depending on the provider, some may even offer transportation
assistance to enrichment activities or to other programs that working parents
can't provide.
Infant Care Feels Right at Home
While some parents prefer to move their toddler or preschooler to a daycare setting prior
to entering school to become used to more children and activities, many families
like the small and more calm and quiet home environment for infants and young
children. Nurseries at daycare facilities can sometimes appear to look
institutional, which can be offsetting to parents with a baby. However, having
an in-home provider who can care for a child in a nursery-setting with only one
or two babies can be appealing to many. Many providers limit the number of kids
they watch in any particular age group to provide a better balance of care.
Training and Experience is Often Superior
Every family provider will have a different experience level and training qualifications,
so ask. But in order to appeal to parents and to be ready for any potentially-dangerous situation, most providers
have completed safety training, have had their home inspected by state
regulators for safety conformance requirements, and have gone the extra mile for
extra peace of mind (yours and theirs). Check with your state about what you
should look for with a licensed care provider, and if you choose not to use one,
be sure you understand what the implications are of that as well. While most
child care workers receive some training, parents typically are most comfortable
with experienced providers who have received extensive, ongoing training.
Child Turnover is Low
Whereas kids may come
and go based on parent satisfaction and work requirements at commercial day care
settings, family child care providers tend to keep the same kids from birth
until they are ready for kindergarten. This creates a loving bond between
provider and child, as they participate in all the stages of a child's early
years and partner with parents to help raise a child.
Parents and Providers Can Work as Team
Parents often get to know their child's providers personally. After all, they are in their home and become acquainted with their
family. Because of this, parents and providers can develop strong relationships
in teaming together to successfully raise a child. Issues such as food choices,
potty training, behaviors (good and bad), socialization, and early education can
be resolved through mutually beneficial communications. Parents should learn the
provider's philosophy and routine, and providers should see how any particular
parenting requirements can be incorporated while ensuring all needs of all kids
are met. Since not all parent and provider approaches are compatible, making
sure there is a good match before placing/taking a child!
Family Providers Often Have Strong Network
Many family providers develop a strong network of other in-home educators. State and national associations offer training and support, and local providers get together to brainstorm and exchange ideas about activities, challenges, and ways to enhance care services to kids. This is good news for parents, who are on the receiving end of up-to-date advice and networking of providers. Another plus is that family providers often establish a back-up plan in the unlikely event they become ill another provider is available to provide care on a short-term basis. Some providers even meet at a park on occasion and let kids in their care get to know one another, so the back-up care plan won't mean children would be meeting someone for a first time.
Cost is On Par With Other Care Options
Cost is an understandable consideration by families choosing child care. While rates
vary dramatically depending on where you live and even the age of kids, most
in-home providers charge comparably to day care. Many charge less, especially
when factoring in supply fees that corporate care facilities often charge.
Parents may have greater flexibility with helping with snacks or providing sack
lunches, or bringing in diapers or other supplies, as a way to help save on
costs. In-home providers may also be more flexible with parents only needing
part-time care or may offer sibling discounts. Parents must also keep in mind
that child care is a business, and that a provider will expect on-time payments
and timely drop-off/pick-ups of kids.
quality in-home child care provider can be the next best thing. Many families
tout the benefits of using family child care, where early childhood educators
care for a smaller number of kids in the comfort of their home. Here are
reasons to consider family care.
Kids Receive Care in Home Situation
Family child care is an attractive option for many families, in part because the care
setting is essentially a home away from home. Quality care providers can offer
families the comfort of care in a setting similar to what kids are used to at
their own home, complete with a living room, play area, kitchen, back yard and
bathrooms. In-home providers typically treat their charges as extended members
of their own family, and a small (and manageable) number of children in their
care means that the brood can often take "family" outings to the park or story
hour, or even nature hikes or sidewalk strolls. Meals are usually served family
style in a central dining area, and comfort, familiarity, and small group
activities are enticements.
Child-Provider Ratios are Small
Licensed home providers operate within the regulations specified by the state in which they
reside, and one of those requirements is how many kids can be kept by any one
family provider. While the number may vary, most in-home providers care for six
or less children. Often, providers may choose to keep less. Compare that to a
daycare setting where sizes may be larger, and it is easy to understand why this
can be a preferred option for many families. When considering in-home care, an
important question to ask is how many kids will be cared for during any given
day, and whether that number changes based on circumstances.
Family Providers Are Often Close and Convenient
Family care providers can often be found in the
same neighborhoods, or at least nearby, where you live, so convenience plays a
key role. Depending on the provider, some may even offer transportation
assistance to enrichment activities or to other programs that working parents
can't provide.
Infant Care Feels Right at Home
While some parents prefer to move their toddler or preschooler to a daycare setting prior
to entering school to become used to more children and activities, many families
like the small and more calm and quiet home environment for infants and young
children. Nurseries at daycare facilities can sometimes appear to look
institutional, which can be offsetting to parents with a baby. However, having
an in-home provider who can care for a child in a nursery-setting with only one
or two babies can be appealing to many. Many providers limit the number of kids
they watch in any particular age group to provide a better balance of care.
Training and Experience is Often Superior
Every family provider will have a different experience level and training qualifications,
so ask. But in order to appeal to parents and to be ready for any potentially-dangerous situation, most providers
have completed safety training, have had their home inspected by state
regulators for safety conformance requirements, and have gone the extra mile for
extra peace of mind (yours and theirs). Check with your state about what you
should look for with a licensed care provider, and if you choose not to use one,
be sure you understand what the implications are of that as well. While most
child care workers receive some training, parents typically are most comfortable
with experienced providers who have received extensive, ongoing training.
Child Turnover is Low
Whereas kids may come
and go based on parent satisfaction and work requirements at commercial day care
settings, family child care providers tend to keep the same kids from birth
until they are ready for kindergarten. This creates a loving bond between
provider and child, as they participate in all the stages of a child's early
years and partner with parents to help raise a child.
Parents and Providers Can Work as Team
Parents often get to know their child's providers personally. After all, they are in their home and become acquainted with their
family. Because of this, parents and providers can develop strong relationships
in teaming together to successfully raise a child. Issues such as food choices,
potty training, behaviors (good and bad), socialization, and early education can
be resolved through mutually beneficial communications. Parents should learn the
provider's philosophy and routine, and providers should see how any particular
parenting requirements can be incorporated while ensuring all needs of all kids
are met. Since not all parent and provider approaches are compatible, making
sure there is a good match before placing/taking a child!
Family Providers Often Have Strong Network
Many family providers develop a strong network of other in-home educators. State and national associations offer training and support, and local providers get together to brainstorm and exchange ideas about activities, challenges, and ways to enhance care services to kids. This is good news for parents, who are on the receiving end of up-to-date advice and networking of providers. Another plus is that family providers often establish a back-up plan in the unlikely event they become ill another provider is available to provide care on a short-term basis. Some providers even meet at a park on occasion and let kids in their care get to know one another, so the back-up care plan won't mean children would be meeting someone for a first time.
Cost is On Par With Other Care Options
Cost is an understandable consideration by families choosing child care. While rates
vary dramatically depending on where you live and even the age of kids, most
in-home providers charge comparably to day care. Many charge less, especially
when factoring in supply fees that corporate care facilities often charge.
Parents may have greater flexibility with helping with snacks or providing sack
lunches, or bringing in diapers or other supplies, as a way to help save on
costs. In-home providers may also be more flexible with parents only needing
part-time care or may offer sibling discounts. Parents must also keep in mind
that child care is a business, and that a provider will expect on-time payments
and timely drop-off/pick-ups of kids.