Going back to work, terrified of in-home day cares!

Katy - posted on 07/05/2010

Thank you so much! I recently heard through an old co worker of a great! in home daycare, it is ran by a preacher, his wife, and their daughter. They also teach kids with disabilities in my school district, I am planning to go on a tour soon.

Bellece - posted on 06/25/2010

I run a family daycare from my home and am licensed. One of the previous posts are correct. I licensed daycare has to jump through a lot of hoops to become liscense. However, it doesn't mean they are great. A good provider will be forthrite with any information and answer all your questions. Also the more detailed their contract is the better! Make sure you read through the entire contract. Also see if they have an open door policy about stopping in anytime. Beware of any provider that doesn't allow this. Granted I have had parents that want to come spend lunch with their child. Which I have no problem with but I have asked the parents to keep it to once a week or so because the child thought they were going with mommy when she had to leave for work.

Any good provider that takes pride in her business will love to tell you all about it all their program offers. Like meals, curriculum, story time, activities, field trips, providers experience, schooling, or hobbies.

Asking for references is always good too.

Lyndsay - posted on 06/24/2010

My son was in an in-home day care for two years and he loved it, as did I. When I went for my initial meeting with the caregiver, I asked her for a tour of her house. I asked to see where the children would be sleeping (he required a crib at the time), where they would be eating, and where they would be playing. I asked for a meal schedule or at least a general idea of the types of meals he would be given (he was there for lunch time), what kinds of activities they would be doing, etc. If you're not comfortable with the caregiver and his/her home, then find a new one. If you go through an agency, they can help you. I went through WeeWatch, which extends through my province but I'm not sure if they're in the states or anything.

Katy - posted on 06/24/2010

Thank you all! I am going to start interviewing soon, I am going to write down plenty of questions, as I have a thousand.

Melissa - posted on 06/23/2010

You should definitely look for an in home daycare that is licensed by DCFS. If someone is licensed then there is already a third party that is looking after them. There are so many hoops that you have to jump through in order to become licensed so most of those worries you may have have already been addressed. In most areas, there is a child care resource and referral agency that can refer you to several licensed home daycares. Good luck!

Betty - posted on 06/23/2010

You could always find a nanny. There are audio and video recorders that you can get for real cheap and set up around the house too. You wouldn't have to wake up your baby to drive him home either because he would already be in his crib. Go to sittercity.com and compare the rates for your area. There are tons of nannies looking for jobs right now and I'm sure you can find one that you really like. I have been a nanny for the last 3 years and I would hire a nanny over a daycare person, the two seem to be very different.
When you are in the family's home looking after their kids you have a since of family with them and care about them on a personal level. When you are in your own home with your own kids and have an extra baby who is eating your food and breaking your things... well... it's different.

Bec - posted on 06/23/2010

My 2 younger children went to in home daycare, and my youngest still does, I find it great, my day care lady is through our shire, so they get regular visits from the shire.
I prefer in home that day care centers because I know my child is getting more one on one time.
I have never had a problem.
if you are worried about going back to work and not being able to spend that time with your child just remember it is the quality time not the amount, that is important.
My kids are happy and healthy and I found that they grow up being able to interact with other kids better.

Kristen - posted on 06/23/2010

I know that GA and FL both have websites that list all licensed child care providers. What state do you live in? Investigate your states website for child care providers. First, do not use a home center that is not licensed. Second check licensing reports, they are open to the public. While looking at various homes you want to keep in mind ratios, how many children to one teacher. Also hand washing is a huge indicator of health and safety through out the home center.

There is company called Bananas that refers parents to child care providers and also http://www.naccrra.org/ . Please note though, these companies can not tell you which of these homes are "good" or not; you have to do your own research.

Meggan - posted on 06/23/2010

We had to use at home day care. Our first provider... I had questions but i just thought i was over reacting. It turns out. they were right. ALWAYS look at their credintals. Try and talk to some of the other parents who use that person. And if need be go an hour of so early on the first day. that way you and baby will have a little time. And meet them before the day you take the baby. Bring a list of concerns or a list of questoin. Don't be afraid to pop in on you child either. If you think something is wrong don't worry about pulling your child out. Take a breath not all providers are horrible. My daughter's favorite provider did at home care we only lost her because of my deployment. So look at your options and if you don't find one right away. Don't be afraid to ask a TRUSTED friend or family member. Good luck.

Lauren - posted on 06/23/2010

I would say be very picky when it comes to in home daycare. My friend's mom does this and is very good at it, but then there are also others who aren't good at all. Definitely check up on not only their credentials, but also their safety certifications (first aid, CPR, etc.). Another good thing to look for is if they have a schedule posted and ask them about curriculum. The good in home daycare's have a curriculum even for infants. Like someone else said, sit in and watch also and just trust your intuition. I had to go back to work for 5 weeks to finish teaching the school year. It was hard at first, but it did get easier as the weeks went on. Luckily, I am able to stay home next year. Good luck in making your decision and just trust your gut feelings!

Jen - posted on 06/23/2010

Look for a stay at home mom that would only be caring for her child or children and yours. The smaller number of children the better. Your other option would be getting a sitter or nanny who would come to your home. If you do have to go with an in home day care make sure they are registered and have all the correct credentials. Have them show you their certificate from the state and make sure it's up to date. If you go to the home and feel uneasy, then don't leave your child. You have a mommy's intuition for a reason lol. :)

Jordan - posted on 06/23/2010

Have you tried asking ya'lls parents to help? Do you have a close friend or relative that would be willing to watch him? If not choose your in home day care well. Interview with them now and ask to sit in with them. Ask for referances from the parents who have kids enrolled currently. I have friends who do this, but I also know people who were suppose to be good people doing bad things, so I would interview and spend as much time as you can before you go to work. you can also ask them if they have a nanny cam that you can watch. Personally I would try a close relative or friend, even if they are teenagers that you trust. That is how I learned to take care of kids.

Kasey - posted on 06/23/2010

i say if you dont HAVE to go back to work then dont the first 18months is the childs most needed time with one on one time with his/her parents but if u can nto get a benifit or help by a partner working then i guess u have no choice i love in home day care it si so much better for especially younger children as they get the interaction they need as they have one on one time and get every need meet when baby needs it unlike daycare cenres they have a ratio on 1 adult to 4 unedr 2 childer they cant do everything when needed for every child i thin \k in home care is beter than you think evn if u diod have the choice id like to think ud chosee at home day care as it be much better for your baby

good luck i hope you get through it