Home day care provides an alternative to center or nanny care. Working parents and stay-at-home parents looking for full or part-time child care options often find the right fit for their child in family day care environments. When seeking a home day care program, parents should consider the location, expense, their own expectations, learning environment and the needs of the child.
Identification
Home day cares are typically based in the provider's home, offering a family-like environment that accommodates four to seven children. Children of different ages share the same space in most programs, adding to the feel of a family environment. Providers prepare the meals, change diapers, plan activities, supervise play, perform clean-up duties and serve as mediator in social situations. Often, home day cares have only one adult on the premises during the day. Exceptions include group home day cares that provide care for up to 14 children, depending on state regulations.
Features
Home day care offers several advantages to parents who want their children in a family-like atmosphere. Because children of various ages play and learn together in home day care environments, siblings stay together during the day. Home day care promotes trust and security between the provider, parents and children since children usually receive care from the same person until they reach school age, according to the National Association for Family Child Care.
Size
Home day cares accommodate less children than centers, resulting in reduced exposure to contagious illnesses. Children get opportunities to socialize and help in home environments, learning about their roles in the family and community. Quality home-based programs also give children opportunities to participate in and learn about cultures different from their own. Training and licensing requirements for home providers differ by state. To make informed day care decisions, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies recommends that you ask about the provider's child care training history and ongoing training policies.
Considerations
Some parents see mixed-age environments as a disadvantage, since most activities in home day care must be adapted to accommodate children at different developmental levels. Center-based care separates children by age and focuses on activities targeted to the needs and development of children based on age. However, well-trained home providers know how to promote healthy development in a mixed environment. Home-based day cares don't have the provider turnover rates common in day care centers and usually cost less.
Expert Insight
Most state regulations require providers to attend ongoing training in child development, health and safety, professional practices, and quality environments. The National Association for Family Child Care sets accreditation standards for home day cares that promote high-quality care in family-like environments. Licensing is required in most states, but accreditation for day care programs is optional. The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education provides a database of licensing and regulation information by state (see Resources).
