Feedback...your opinions on Child care centers vs. family child care. Not sure which is better.....?

Answer 1

There are pros and cons for both a child care center and a home daycare setting. I have provided child care in my home for almost 21 years. So, I do have a little bias towards family child care homes. However, centers do have an advantage in that if a provider is ill or needs time off, the center does not close down, so care is available all the time. I am the only person caring for up to 6 children at one time. If I am sick, on vacation, or otherwise need to be gone, my families need to have a back up plan for care. Because I have fewer families and fewer children in my home, while still professional, I can be more family-like in my contact with them. Centers are not always able to provide the close-knit relationship simply because of the sheer numbers of families and children they serve. Typically Centers are more costly than child care homes. I am able to be more flexible with my families if they are having a financial situation whereas often at a Center, if you don't pay, you lose your spot. Centers are able to monitor the education and training their employees receive. There is a minimum requirement for child care providers in our state as far as training goes. Most Centers excede this minimum requirement wheras many family home child care providers may only be able to meet the minimum requirement. Centers are more closely monitored in our state by the licensing board. Unless investigating a complaint, most family child care homes are not inspected regularly. There are good Centers and bad Centers just as there are good family child care providers and there are bad. I don't think there is one that is always better. Visit several Centers and several family child care homes. You may not know which is better for you, your child, and your needs until you can compare them.

Answer 2

It so depends on the centers. The biggest concern in the caregiver/child ratio. The smaller the child, the smaller the ratio. Child care centers also are usually more child proof. Family child care might not have as many opportunities for learning and some of the caregivers time will be given over to regular housekeeping duties. On the other hand, for the little baby and small toddler, family child care may afford more personal attention. And family child care is usually more affordable.
That didn't help at all did it. I guess the bottom line is that you have to do a thorough investigation of all the options and decide what is the best fit for your child.

Answer 3

Well there are pros and cons for each ones. I have worked in child care centers and I now keep children in my home. I would personally feel better with in home childcare for my children if I had to make the choice but only if it were some one I knew or had a very good reputation from someone I knew. I love the children I watch and they are treated with love and get a lot of attention. You just dont know what will happen if you do not know the person. There are no other adults around so thats pretty scary. In childcare centers it is just so hard to give any of the children very much one on one time if any and if one child gets sick, it goes around and around. however, they do socialize and thats important especially after age 3.
It really just depends on all the circumstances involved.

Answer 4

I do day care in my home so I may be a bit biased. But in my opinion family child care CAN be much better. I love these kids like they're my own, they get lots of attention, healthy meals, I'm always holding the baby and I never use the TV to babysit the toddler. Day care centers can be colder and more institutional let's say. They are run for the greater good, so as long as all the kids are safe and healthy, it's all good, but love and special care is not as common. On the other hand, if you do not use a certified family child care, you really don't know what you're getting, they could have felonies on they're record or be smoking pot in their home for all you know, at least day care center do background checks and have careful supervision. I think they can both be good but you need to do your research and get lots of references anywhere you choose. don't necessarily write a place off because one person didn't like it (there are so many reasons parents dissaprove of things, maybe the center was christian centered and they're jewish, or they're vegetarian, or they're crazy :) they may not have liked it but you might) but take everything into account.

Answer 5

Family child care, as in the child being babysat by a family member?

There are pro's and con's to both--my professor discussed this in one of my development psych classes (she's a childhood expert). What's most important is the quality of care, not where it's done. There are bad and good child care centers, and bad and good family members.

What makes a good child care center:
A high staff to child ratio (as in, not 10 kids for each staff member!)
Trained staff (there are degrees now in childhood development and similar areas)
Child-safe environment (clean, without dangerous toys or kids running around unsupervised)
TIP: if you have a university/college in you area, they will probably have their own child development center. Because the staff there is usually trained and closely supervised, those centers are high-quality and your best bet. Also, you get what you pay for. If you skimp on child care center costs, then chances are you won't get high-quality child care.

Having a family member care for your child has obvious benefits (potentially less costly, and your kid will probably be exposed to fewer germs and so stay healthier during cold and flu season). But it also has the potential for family conflict, since you and the family member will almost certainly have differences of opinion on how best to raise/care for a child. You can switch child care centers, but you can't get rid of relatives! Plus, just because a person's family doesn't make them a good caregiver. While they might have more of a bond with your child, they still might not know how to properly care for your child. Be sure to discuss issues like discipline, eating habits, t.v. habits, and safety with whomever will be caring for your child so you'll be on the same page.

Personally, I would go with a high-quality child care center. I wouldn't want to risk damaging a family relationship, and I'd like my kid to have the chance to play with/interact with a group of children (rather than just a few).

Answer 6

well, i have worked in both settings and i like the family child care much better (if it is liscensed and regulated), also the family center i worked at had 2 of us there at all times, not just 1.

here are some pros for each in my experience:

family- more "normal" family activities, not as institutional, children are more relaxed compared to a center, usually exposure to more of a variety of food, not as rigid a schedule, and we did much better arts and crafts than any center i worked at, more free learning practices, we took walks around the owners property very often (large and near the forest).

child care centers- more backup if needed, usually more multicultural, more "school type" learning, plenty of supplies, ect. usually a better playgound.

Answer 7

child care centers are generally a little more safer and dependable as centers usually have more than one adult on site at all times. In addition centers must be registered therefore you can be assured that nothing bad will be going on and all children will get the same treatment.
If you mean your family watching the baby by family child care, most of the time it is not a good idea, because they will get different treatment than that of a child who is not related to them. In addition, most think they can persay get away with more. If you were instead refering to a stay at home mother with her own children, there are four of those in my town and all are great.

Answer 8

I am assuming you mean a day care center VS your OWN relatives babysitting.

Day care center

pros:
- reliable hours of availability
- ample staff to properly supervise children
- State certified so they meet safety requirements
- your children get to socialize with kids their own age

cons:
- cost is generally more
- your children are exposed to sick kids on a regular basis
- Your children might not recieve a lot of individual attention during the day

Family

pros:
- Your children will recieve endless individual attention
- They are in a familar and friendly environment with caretakers they know and trust
- They have a lower risk of catching illnesses from other children

cons:
- Your family members might have more limited hours of availability
- Your children are not able to sociallize with other kids.

Personally, having worked in a day care, if I had the choice I would greatly prefer to have a relative babysit my chlidren.

Answer 9

My feeling sare that if you are really good judge of character, family based is best...it is smaller, you are always talking to the 'owner', there arent many idiotic policies in place because she afford to be flexible....on the other hand...at a larger facility, there are more 'checks and balances' there are many people working together....you dont pick your nose in front of your co-workers do you? So these poeple DO have the time to play and give attention to the kids...but they keep to very strict schedules and rules about the kids....you have to go, spend some time at one of each...ultimately,
location may be the deciding factor.

Answer 10

my daughter is taken care of 2 days a week by my inlaws. sometimes i want to scream and just place her in day care.
the upside to family care is it is personal and dedicated, plus it is free for me. the downside is that they think that they know what is best for YOUR child and do what they want to do. sometimes they skip feedings or forget to give my daughter a bottle!
the upside to daycare is that your child will be with other children and learn to share and interact with them, plus they strictly folow your schedule. the downside to me is colds year round, and i feel it wouldnt be as personable. like you hear that they prop bottles or put them in swings for a good portion of the day. but my cousin works at one, and i know that they dont do that there.
so, you basically need to weigh your options and decide what is best for your own child, and your own situation. good luck