In Home Daycares

In Home Daycare Centers - Positive Environments for Your Child

In home daycare centers are daycare programs based in an individuals home. Day care homes offer a friendly informal setting and groups are often small. There is typically a single adult supervising a small group of children, but daycare centers might be larger and include several adults in a larger home.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) the home should be licensed and undergo regular inspections. Teachers and caregivers at in home daycare centers should have basic training in CPR and early childhood development.

In home daycare centers should also have written policies on handling children that are ill as well as discipline policies. Where an in home center has been accredited by NAEYC or the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) it is a sign that the owners of the center are dedicated to quality care. Members of these associations are required to participate in child development programs.

In home daycare centers also need to have top-notch health, safety, and hygiene strategies. The children as well as staff members should be vaccinated and all staff should have had thorough background checks. The center should be child-proof and staff members should wear disposable gloves when changing diapers. Toys that the children play with should be cleaned and disinfected and hand washing encouraged among staff and children.

In home daycare centers can be very positive and secure environments for young children. Ask the caregiver to talk to you about your child's progress and help you to feel confident about your child's well-being. Children attending in home care for the first time might need some time to adjust to the new environment. Babies up to the age of seven months adjust quickly but older infants may need some time to adjust.

Toddlers and preschoolers may not settle in to in home daycare centers well at first and often experience tears, pouting, and tantrums but they will eventually adapt. Visit your child, pack familiar items into their backpack and make sure that you reassure them of your return at the end of the day. If a child does not seem happy in a childcare setting you need to pay attention.

Assessing your child's needs and ensuring that the child is in the right setting will help set your mind at ease. Bad and good days will occur but if problems seem persistent they need to be investigated. If the daycare setting does seem to be a problem find an alternative arrangement as soon as possible. In home daycare centers are not suited for every child so be vigilant and address issues as soon as they arise.

So be sure to check out our pages about Daycare Providers, Daycare Business, Starting A Home Daycare, and Starting A Daycare Center elsewhere on this site.