*My assessments of home/public daycares are my own opinion. Remember that there are no absolutes... different daycares offer different positives/negatives. You really need to conduct an in-person interview, see the daycare site, call references, and do background checks before making your decision.
TOYS / EQUIPMENT
A Center is going to have more expensive equipment and toys available. Naturally, a home daycare has less available funds to purchase high-quality equipment. Therefore, Home Daycares purchase a lot of secondhand toys and equipment to furnish their daycare.
Larger Home Daycare's (Class II) can sometimes purchase more expensive equipment and provide a more center-like setting.
Centers realize that due to being "more visible" to the community their outdoor spaces and building must draw-in clients and compete with other local centers. They make huge investments in playground equipment, fencing, & landscape.
COST
The weekly expense at a Home Daycare is going to be significantly less than a Center. In our area (Hamilton County) the difference can be anywhere from $25-$150/week SAVINGS! That is certainly significant to many families! Some of the more expensive centers in the area charge around $300-$325 for infants per week. Most Home Daycares are in the $150-$250 per week range... WOW... that's a big savings! Whether it's a Center or a Home it is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to run them! The cost to make a really great Early Childhood Program is extremely high.
Home Daycare's are less expensive to operate, therefore we can pass on the savings to our clients!
RATIO
Home Daycare's are held to a different ratio standard than Centers. I don't know the exact ratio requirements for Centers, but Home Daycares are as follows:
10 children : 1 adult (provided no more than 4 are under 16 months)
11-16 children : 2 adults (provided no more than 7 children are under 16 months)
*For each adult added to the ratio, you may have an additional 3 children under 16 months within the total of the children. A home daycare can NEVER exceed 16 children. This is the MAXIMUM that the state of Indiana allows. The only exception is that the home operates 2 separate daycares on different levels of the home (many new requirements apply if the provider wants have a daycare in the basement or upstairs... for example, the basement must be a walk-out basement).
Centers may be able to afford more employees than a Home Daycare. However, the turnover rate in Daycares can be quite high.
CURRICULUM
No two programs are alike. Centers and many Home Daycares offer some form of curriculum. It is important for parents to do their research and decide what type of curriculum they want for their child. Some forms of curriculum are more "free-play" and "child led" than other forms. These types of programs tend to focus more on creative development and social skills.
Another type of curriculum is considered to be a more "canned" curriculum. These programs use a lot of "ditto" sheets (each child receives the same coloring page to color) and standard type crafts for kids.
As long as the program meets all of the developmental needs of the children (physical, social, emotional, & intellectual) it will benefit the students.
Some Home Daycares choose to not provide a curriculum. Some parents prefer for their child's daycare experience to be less school-like and more focused on play.
HOME DAYCARE PROVIDERS:
Home Daycare providers are often by themselves during the day (unless they have employees). This can be quite a challenging situation. When a provider needs to maintain the home, watch the children, cook the meals, and make the clients happy it can be a very tough job. When choosing a Home Daycare please remember that the provider wears many hats.
It is important that parents work as a team with their child's provider. Parents should be courteous of their providers home space, be mindful of how difficult their providers job is, and be respectful of their providers needs.
The providers in the Home Based Child Care Providers Association work hard to provide a GREAT environment for children. We all offer something different, but that is to the advantage of the parents in this area. You have options... that means that you can focus on what your priorities for your child are. Be open-minded, but focused on what you want and what your child needs. The best fit for your child is out there!!
Written by:
Rachael McCracken
Owner, Rachael's Daycare LLC
Written by:
Rachael McCracken
Owner, Rachael's Daycare LLC
Fishers, IN
www.rachaelsdaycare.blogspot.com
www.rachaelsdaycare.blogspot.com
