My child is going to daycare for the first time, in your opinion whats better, home or center based care....?

Question

I have never used home care before, but am interested in peoples experiences with it. Also a list of questions to ask the provider when interviewing them.

I know I am going to get a slew of people who don;t want to answer my question, but just tell me what a rotten parent I am for putting my kid in daycare, whatever I don;t need to hear it, but if you feel compelled to abuse me, then go ahead.

The options right now are, go back to work and put 3 yr. old in daycare, or stay at home with her and get thrown onto the street. Sorry but a house over my childs head and enough food for her to eat are good enough reasons for me.

Back to the question, any legitimate responses are appreciated...thanks much!

Answer 1

Although my son is currently in a daycare, I personally prefer a home based childcare facility. The child to teacher ratio is usually alot smaller in a home based facility, which gives your child more personal attention in a smaller atmosphere. If you choose the right person you can open up an extended family for you and your child. Some of the things I would ask how many children are cared for in each age group vs. how many teachers. What holidays are they closed? What about vacations yours and theirs are you required to pay during that time? What kind of curiculum is provided for your child? What is the policy when your child or another child is sick? What kind of communication and disipline system is in place for when things happen like biting or being biten, hitting or being hit? Hours of operation? Rates? Are meals and snacks provided? If so, What kind? How long have they been in childcare? If its a daycare what kind of screening and education is required for there employee's? What is there policy on other people picking up your child in the case of an emergency? What practices are in place in case of an emergency happening at the daycare or home care? What is policy on giving medicines? The list goes on and on and on... visit both kinds of childcare facilities in your area you will know when you feel comfortable with the right one. Good luck!

Answer 2

Both have their advantages. Home daycares are very good and only have a small number of children so your child may get more one on one attention, however a day care center will provide a good social experience. Remember you are the parent use your instincts, your a great parent when you make the choice is best for you and your child, despite what others think.

Answer 3

day care even if you are home all day is a great thing to do. There are social skills you can't not teach your child but can only be taught from other children their age. They need to develop their own communications with other kids and learn how to interact.

I have three...and they now being older would rather be at school than anywhere else because I started all of them early with their social skills.

Go for it! It will be okay! What better gift to give your child is play time with little ones and more money coming in to care of them.

Answer 4

i think that choldren should be taken care of when they are young and given a lot of attention. i personally was taken care of by my mom when i was young and i thought that was great. i never had some else take care of me but my aunt has her own daycare center and the kids get tons of attention that otherwise wouldnt be able to get from their parents because they are busy. i think that parents need to provide for their kids because attention alone is not going to give them a good life. if you need to work you have to work and leaving your child in a GOOD daycare provider is no problem at all.

Answer 5

go with a center...my kids were in a home based daycare for awhile, and she would tell me she was sick 10 minutes before i was leaving to take them there, and i found out later, it was to go shopping (black friday) and later, my son had bruises all over his upper arms from her grabbing him....nailmarks and everything. so basically in a center, there are more ppl there, and if there are any ppl like this woman, they won't do anything in a center because they have less of an opportunity to do things to kids if they lose their tempers. but i would be annoying about everything you see that you don't like...if you pick up your kid with dried snot all over their face, say something about it. in daycares, the squeaky wheel gets the grease kinda thing.

Answer 6

I don't think ur a bad parent but everyone has probles in live and if u don't take care of ur job u'll lose it but in the other hand u have ur child. I think u should balance ur self for the moment. If u decide to go back and work don't forget that that child needs ur love and caring that only u can give.
I hope u decide wat is best for u and ur baby good luck.

Answer 7

No. i think it's good that you put your 3 year old in day care because now she will learn how to be around children her own age and this means when its time for school she won't be scared or timid or shy or even in some cases clingy.she will automatically be able to adjust to her surroundings when its time for her to start school so no it's not a bad idea at all and you aren't a bad parent because of it (smiles)

Answer 8

I went to a home based daycare as a child and it wasn't bad.

Answer 9

i recommend center based child care.
In that way, your child will start to get ready in building a school foundation and program of how kindergarten will be or whatever.
Also, the association with other kids is vital to a child's development.

Answer 10

I much prefer center based. They are more organized with activies, learning and playing. There are more people there to help your child.