what is the difference between a daycare and babysitting ?

Question

I watch two year old twins in my home 50-80 hours a week and they have spent the night here their parents never tell us when and if they are coming or when they are gonna pick them up, they were left here for three days without a sign, I provide everything for them and get paid however I am not lisenced what do you think? daycare service or no? and plz say y.

Answer 1

Daycare provides a loving, nurturing environment for parental replacement while a parent is working. Babysitting is provided by a low-paid young adult to watch children while a parent/s takes a few hours off. You do not have to be licensed to be a daycare. You are being taken advantage of--you need to have a contract signed by the parents of the kids you watch.

Answer 2

They're basically the same thing except that babysitters usually only watch 1 or 2 children at a time. Daycare centers have 20-30 children to supervise. There is, however, a huge difference between preschool and daycare. Most of the people on here have been responding that daycare is structured and there are learning activities, etc. That's preschool, not daycare.

Answer 3

If you are paid and watching kids youare a babysitter. A daycare is a licensed business - which means both you as the owner and your building as the daycare place of business have passed muster with the local authorities.

Now, as for the so called "parents" of the kids you watch, you may have problems in the future. You cannot watch a kid overnight in your home without some sort of legal protection. If the kids get hurt or sick (even minor problems) and you must take them to a Doctor, you will need legal releases signed by the parents allowing you to get them medical attention. This is a must.

As for their leaving the kids for DAYS without notice, this is just not done! Every time they leave the kids with you, they should give you notice of where they are to contact them in an emergency and when they will return. AND hold them to that schedule. You are doing them a service, you are not a slave.

Answer 4

You are going to need to set some group rules with the parents. I bring my son to a none lic. home daycare. And this is what we had to sign before she would take my boy.

1. Hours she works. 7am - 6pm
If late I charge $5 every 15 minutes you are late. And that needs to be in case same day.

2. I need a 2 week in advance notification in writing from parent(s) if I am going to watch your children over night/week.

3. Days I am off of work.

4. Payment needs to be in full unless disguised other wise. I expect to get paid every Friday or if we decided other wise.

GROUND RULES IS WHAT YOU NEED. If this continues I would then report it to child protection agency. Let them know what is going on. You aren't doing the wrong thing just sounds like the parents really don't want to be parents. Sounds like they just want to have fun and not be responsible.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

babysitting is just someone to watch your child and keep them fed and out of trouble. How much they learn will vary by providers.

daycare is licenced, inspected, and curriculum based to get children ready for preschool and kindergarden. Kids can also only be in daycare for a max of 10 hours a day in most places.

it sounds like they are abusing you. You need to set boundries with them and tell them that if they are not back to pick up their children by the time stated that you will call child services to come and get them. They should not be abandoning their children on you.

Answer 6

Technically that is just babysitting. You may want to consider getting licensed though. Then, you could charge accordingly and have some more rules and regs about the children being left. I would question the parents parenting abilities though. I can't imagine taking my child to a babysitter and not calling or coming back for 3 days! Something is wrong with that!

Answer 7

Depending on what state you are in, most states require you to be licensed with the state and take courses to become a "daycare." I would say it is more along the lines of babysitting although they are pretty much the same thing. Also if you are daycare you are required to only have a certain amount of children and are required to follow a certain curriculum.

Answer 8

My opinion is: Daycare is licensed and trained professionals, where as Babysitter is a more temporary and personal job, one that is not industry regulated.

Not sure what you are looking for, but if the parents are not responsible then look at two things: first, you are giving the children something they probably don't get enough of at home, and second, maybe you should report it.

But this is my opinion only.

Answer 9

daycare is when you have a bunch of children together there is no one on one like in babysitting. it seems this person is the only thing steady in these twins lives. the parents do not deserve to be parents. i believe you should not have children if you can not spent time with them. i realize people have to work but when your not working it is your time to take care of your own children. children spend so much time in daycare or with a babysitter they think that they are their parents. thank god for good caregivers.

Answer 10

I would call you a babysitter. I would imagine it would take more kids to be in your care for it to be a daycare. I'm really not sure though. I guess it depends on where you live and what they require. You could call the Dept. of Social Services. If it were me I'd just keep doing what I was doing. And thank goodness you're around, what would they do with their kids if you weren't there to take care of them for days on end. Kinda scary to think about.