Choosing child care is one of the most
important decisions your family will make. It is important
to look at several different options. What is good for other
children may not be the best for your child. You will need
to compare price, hours, quality of program, and location of
different child care options. Child care options include:
- center-based child care
- family child care
- in-home child care
- before and after school child care.
If possible, both parents should participate in the child
care selection process. Your child should be present for at
least some of the time while you observe and interview
caregivers.
When choosing child care you should:
- Meet with the directors and staff or
caregiver to discuss your expectations.
- Spend an hour or two observing active
and quiet activities at all facilities you are seriously
considering.
- Review the licensing files, if
possible.
- Ask for references and check them.
- Talk with other parents from the
facilities.
- Above all, trust your instincts and
ask questions.
What is center-based child care?
Child care centers provide an organized
group setting away from home. Most centers take children 3
to 5 years of age who are toilet-trained. Some have infant
or toddler nurseries for children younger than 3.
Preschools and child care centers can be
commercially owned or sponsored by a community organization
such as a church or recreation center. Your employer may
have an on-site child care center or a reimbursement account
to help you save money to pay for child care.
Advantages:
- Usually has planned program of
activities and greater choice of play materials.
- Caregivers are usually trained and
experienced in child development.
- Licensing is required, ensuring
minimum health, safety and enrollment standards.
- Usually less expensive than in-home
care.
- Your child plays with other children.
- Generally open 12 hours per day
year-round with both full-and half-day schedules
available (nursery schools usually open half-days and
closed the same months as regular school).
- Closures due to caregiver being ill
are unlikely.
- Staff is supervised.
Disadvantages:
- Your child may be less comfortable in
a group setting and receive less attention than in an
informal home environment.
- Your child will be around to more
children and so will probably be sick more often. When
your child is sick you will not be able to send him to
the child care center.
- You may need to agree to year-round
day care even if you don't need it.
- You may need to pay a registration
fee.
- The center hours and days may not be
exactly what you need.
- Staff turnover can be high so your
child may not have a consistent caregiver.
- This usually costs more than family
child care.
What is family child care?
Family child care is an arrangement in which
your child is cared for in someone else's home. The
caregiver is often a mother with her own small children. The
caregiver looks after 1 to 6 children in her home.
Advantages:
- Provides home-like environment (very
important for infants and toddlers).
- Greater flexibility regarding ages and
hours of operation.
- May be licensed by the state, ensuring
minimum health, safety, and enrollment standards.
- May cost less than center-based care.
- Your child is in a smaller group of
children which will allow more individual attention and
less exposure to illness.
- Greater flexibility regarding hours
than most centers.
Disadvantages:
- Your child may not receive as much
personal attention as in-home care.
- The caregiver will not always be
available (illness, vacation).
- The caregiver may stop providing
services without much notice.
- The caregiver may not have appropriate
training or experience.
- The caregiver may not be able to offer
all options provided by center-based care.
- The caregiver is not supervised
directly or may not be licensed.
What is in-home child care?
Someone comes into, or lives in, your home.
The caregiver may be a friend, neighbor, or relative. You
can hire someone for half-day, all-day, or before or after
school.
Advantages:
- Provides known surroundings. This is
very important for infants and toddlers.
- Your child should receive enough
personal attention.
- May be the most choice for 3 or more
children.
- Your child can often be cared for when
sick.
- There is less exposure to illness from
other children.
Disadvantages:
- Relatively hard to find a caregiver.
- May be the most costly choice for 1 or
2 children.
- You are responsible for all fees,
taxes, social security, and sometimes benefits of the
caregiver.
- The caregiver will not always be
available (illness, vacation), and turnover may be high.
- Your child may not get the stimulation
of other children.
- The caregiver may not have appropriate
training or experience.
What is before- and after-school child care?
Before and after child care is generally
available for children 6 to 12 years of age. This type of
child care is usually connected with a day care center,
school, or community agency, but may be provided in a home
setting. This type of child care typically offers a change
of pace from a structured school routine. It is generally
during the hours public schools are not in session.
Arrangements tend to be flexible and based on family needs.
Where do I
find information about child care in my area?
You can find information about child care
options from:
- State Department of Social Services,
Human Services, or Health (list of licensed day care
homes)
- United Way (information and referral
services)
- YMCA/YWCA
- Religious organizations
- Child development departments of local
colleges
- School counselor (before and after
school care)
- Your employer
- Telephone book ("Child Care, Camps,
Nanny Services, Schools - Preschool")
- Junior League
- PTA
- Local child care council
- Pediatrician
- Newspaper/bulletin board ads
- Word-of-mouth (friends, relatives,
other parents).
For child care standards see:
National Resource Center for Health and
Safety in Child Care
Web site:
http://nrc.uchsc.edu/
National Association of Education for Young
Children
Web site:
http://naeyc.org
National Association for Family Child Care
Web site:
http://nafcc.org
