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Family childcare
Smaller group childcare in the caregiver's home.
Cost: $450 to $1,200 a month.
what to look for
- Is the caregiver licensed? (Confirm this with your local childcare council.) If not, is she willing to take one or two appropriate courses per year if you pay for them?
- Is the caregiver's disciplinary style in sync with yours?
- What's the child-to-staff ratio? Check with your state's childcare regulation office for state guidelines.
- A fenced play yard. Is the entire home childproof, and is all the gear safe and in good working order? When children are in high chairs, are they strapped in?
- Are infants held when they are given a bottle?
- Are rest and nap periods required? Does each child get his or her own bedding? Are doors to napping areas left open, or will a monitor be used?
- Recommendations from former clients (the caregiver should be glad to provide names and phone numbers).
red flags to avoid
- Providers who don't require immunization records on all enrolled children.
- Diaper areas that don't have disposable gloves and a sink nearby.
- Caregivers who are reluctant to provide proof of a criminal background check on all adults, including the caregiver's spouse and adult children living at the house.
- Children kept to a small portion of the house or garage.
legal requirements
Only 25 percent of family childcare providers are regulated by the government,
with the remainder operating as ³legally exempt² or illegally underground. State
requirements vary widely; get a copy of your state's standards from the childcare
licensing and regulation department. Some providers are accredited, meaning they
have met higher quality standards set by a national organization.
advantages
- For infants and very young children, some parents find the atmosphere more nurturing than other kinds of care.
- Special needs of children with disabilities and parents who work late shifts or weekends are more easily met.
- Typically more personal attention than large facilities.
disadvantages
- Can be difficult to monitor quality of care.
- Requires good backup plan if provider becomes ill.
- Unless accredited, the caregiver is less likely to have formal early childhood development training.
where to learn more:
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Delivery Room Surprises