Childcare is more than just a service that allows parents to work outside of the home. Childcare affects a child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development. Selecting childcare is an important process that requires careful consideration.
TYPES OF CHILDCARE
In home care
In-home childcare involves hiring a caregiver to take care of your children in your own home. It is considered to be one of the best types of care for children under three years old, says Ann Douglas, author of The Unofficial Guide to Childcare.
Advantages:
Children remain in familiar surroundings and are not exposed to the illnesses of other children. No transportation is necessary and children have the complete attention of the caregiver. Loren Slocum, author of No Greater Love: Being an Extraordinary Mom uses in-home childcare and says what she has found wonderful about this type of childcare is it gives her sons a sense of security. Using in-home childcare, you also have the opportunity to check in on your children or if you are at home and listen to the communication style of the caretaker.
Disadvantages:
In-home care is one of the most expensive types of childcare. If the caregiver is late or sick, you will have to make other arrangements. As children get older, they may not receive the interaction with other children that they need for adequate social development says Mary Graham, director of (the NAEYC-accredited) Children's Village Child Care Center in Philadelphia.
Family daycare
Family daycare is provided by individual caregivers in their own homes. They usually take in smaller numbers of children. Some, but not all, family daycare is licensed by local authorities. A small family childcare home may provide care for up to 6 or 8 children. A large family childcare home may provide care for up to 12 or 14 children, says Douglas.
Advantages:
Family daycare provides small group of children to build relationships, and uses the same provider over time. It also allows siblings to be together. Special requests & flexible scheduling are more likely. According to Dr. Steve Green, assistant professor and child development specialist at Texas A & M University, family daycare should offer children a more intimate setting, smaller groups of children and a more "homey" environment.
Disadvantages:
The provider is alone all day for long days without relief. No one is directly supervising/observing the provider. Therefore parents must feel they can trust this individual. Providers are not always licensed and they do not always have early childhood education training, says Graham.
See related articles:
How to Select a Daycare Provider
How to Interview Daycare Providers
