Yes, quality childcare exists in your community. The following descriptions summarize basic kinds of childcare. Unfortunately, there is no standard terminology used from provider to provider or state to state. The concepts identified are more important than the terms used to differentiate them.
It is essential to recognize that childcare is, in reality, a business. You can expect each of the following types of childcare providers to maintain appropriate health, incident, and financial records. Such record-keeping is usually state mandated. Well-kept financial records are essential for parents deducting childcare expenses from their income taxes, as well as those who seek reimbursements from flex or cafeteria plans provided by their employer.
Home-based childcare refers to childcare in a provider's home. Many parents choose the home-based childcare option. Home-based childcare offers low child to provider ratios, long-term stability with the same provider, consistent individualized attention, teaching tailored to a child's abilities and needs, and more controlled exposure to germs and illnesses. Home-based childcare providers usually must meet state regulations and usually pass regular health and safety inspections.
With home-based childcare, each business is different because each
provider is different. Many providers have earned college degrees in
education; not a few are former school teachers. Some providers take
children on educational field trips, use standardized teaching
curricula, provide before and after school care and transportation,
offer overtly moral and religious training, and may tailor their
services to nighttime and shift work.
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Other parents opt to place their children in childcare centers. These centers provide more opportunities for your child to interact with other children of similar age, interests, and abilities. Child to provider ratios are usually regulated by state guidelines and these centers are inspected regularly for health and safety compliance.
Childcare centers typically offer a range of programs and services for children. Field trips, standard preschool curricula, music and art training, help with homework, school drop-off and pick-up, and mentoring are often available for your child.
Childcare facilities are sometimes open longer or overnight for parents whose work schedules extend into or through nighttime hours, sick care for ill children, and drop-in services for short-term, temporary needs.
Some centers offer services well beyond those normally associated
with childcare, such as a "Date Night" where they extend their hours,
keep unenrolled siblings, and allow parents some alone time. Some may
provide "Dinner to Go" which allows parents to take home a freshly
prepared, family-sized meal when they pick up their child. Some centers
even arrange dry cleaning services or offer nanny screening services.
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Many religious institutions offer childcare in a "Mother's Day Out" or a preschool program. The "Mother's Day Out" format usually is open on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday or a Tuesday-Thursday schedule and usually for a shorter number of hours during the day. The preschool format may also be open for only certain days of the week or open for a full 5 day week depending on the program. Because these programs are located in the facilities of religious organizations, the curriculum tends to be overtly religious. For some parents, this is an important aspect of their child's care and can add to a sense of additional quality for a facility.
Other than the overtly religious nature of the curriculum used, the same state oversight and mandates apply. Again, some programs will do field trips and some will not. Some programs will offer transportation and some will not. As you can see, there is great variety.
Because of the variety of childcare types, it is important for parents to distinguish beforehand
what they need from a childcare provider and what they want from a provider.
Rank the needs as most important and the wants in order of importance. Look for
the provider who can meet your needs
plus as many of your wants as you can find. Use this site to help you
search for the provider who will best meet your needs.
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