Daycare: What are the different types and options?

The term “daycare” sounds simple enough, but it’s actually an umbrella term that covers a range of child care options, in which parents drop off their kids, typically during the work day, for learning, socialization and supervision. Daycare can be a full-time center-based program, a part-time, in-home daycare or even a Waldorf-focused preschool — the options are endless. Having that kind of choice is a benefit when it comes to finding the best, most flexible care for your children. But let’s be honest: It can also make the child care search confusing.

The good news is, no matter which type of child care you choose, there’s evidence to suggest that kids who participate in some form of high-quality care truly thrive. Studies have shown that children who attend quality daycare exhibit better behavior, even into grade school. Academic preschools produce strong readers and children who excel in math. And the social interaction kids get in a daycare setting may help them to be better communicators. The question is not whether daycare has benefits for kids; the question is what type of child care can best meet your family’s unique needs?

Here Richard Fiene, a child care researcher and retired professor of human development and psychology at Pennsylvania State University, and Katrina Macasaet, a child development expert and content specialist for Zero to Three, help us break down some of the most common forms of daycare and preschool to help you decide which ones might be best for your child and family.

Daycare options: An overview

OPTION	DEFINITION	COST
DAYCARE CENTER A daycare center offers child care by qualified private providers in standalone centers. A daycare setting provides a wonderful opportunity for children to play together, learn from peers, and, in many cases, gain preschool skills. Daycare centers provide children with a learning or activity structure; you may even get regular written reports/updates on your child’s development.	BEST FOR: Reliable, full- or part-time care. Built-in backup care. Operating hours similar to most parents’ work schedules. A variety of ages. Socialization with other kids. Staff have some early childhood education. Licensed and regulated. Play-based learning although some may integrate preschool curriculum. CONSIDERATIONS: Higher child-to-teacher ratio can mean less individualized attention. May not offer infant care. May have potty training requirements. Don’t generally follow an academic curriculum. Exposure to shared germs. Must abide by daycare sick policy. Closed most holidays. Strict pickup and drop-off times.	$$$$$
IN-HOME DAYCARE An in-home daycare is child care that is offered by private providers in their homes. An in-home daycare setting allows a smaller group of children of all ages to socialize and play, functioning more like a family than a daycare center. In-home daycare provides children a more flexible schedule of activities, which can mean more unstructured playtime throughout their day.	BEST FOR: Full- or part-time care. Home environment. Operating hours similar to most parents’ work schedules. May offer more flexible pickup and drop-off time. A variety of ages. Socialization with other kids. Often cheaper than a daycare center. More relaxed curriculum so there may be more time for free play. More individualized attention since there is lower child to provider ratio. Different-aged siblings can remain together. CONSIDERATIONS: Limited to no options for backup care. Licensing not required in some states. Often an individual caregiver so more important to align on style, philosophy and personality. Don’t generally follow an academic curriculum. Exposure to shared germs.	$$$$$
CO-OP DAYCARE In a co-op daycare, a group of parents commonly create a schedule so they can split child care duties among the group. The setting of a co-op daycare can be in a home or other designated co-op space or rented facility. A co-op daycare provides families with flexible child care and allows parents to have a hand in structuring activities, curriculum and playtime.	BEST FOR: Shared, flexible child care for families who want to split caregiving duties. Schedule based around parents’ needs and availability. A variety of ages. Socialization with other kids. Often cheaper than other daycare options. Different-aged siblings can remain together. CONSIDERATIONS: Parents share care and backup care duties with other families. Licensing not required in some states. Increased coordination among more people. More complex communication. Must align with other families on standards of care, style, philosophy and personality. Exposure to shared germs.	$$$$$
PRESCHOOL A preschool offers curriculum and care for children ages 3-5 and focus on kindergarten readiness and acquiring classroom skills. Preschools may be private and take place in homes or centers, or they may be special programs run by school districts or other state agencies. A preschool day is typically just two to three hours in the morning or afternoon, so they work better for parents with flexible work schedules or who use secondary child care, like a nanny or grandparent.	BEST FOR: Kindergarten readiness and acquiring classroom skills. Children ages 3-5 years old. Socialization with other kids. Staff have some early childhood education. Licensed and regulated. CONSIDERATIONS: Higher child-to-teacher ratio can mean less individualized attention. May have potty training requirements. Some only offer half-day programs. Exposure to shared germs. Must abide by preschool sick policy. Closed most holidays. Strict pickup and drop-off times.	$$$$$

Common questions about daycares

What is a daycare center?

A daycare center is what most people think of when they hear the term “daycare.” Centers are special facilities that offer care for children of a variety of ages. They typically have different classrooms designated for different age groups, as well as a space to prepare food and space for outdoor play. Qualified caregivers are hired to work with specific groups of children, from very young infants all the way to school-age children, and teachers must adhere to state guidelines.

Traditional daycares don’t generally follow an academic curriculum. Instead, children may follow a schedule that includes playtime, mealtime, reading time and naptime, but most learning is play-based, which is ideal for young kids.

“Whether it’s pretend play or playing with Play-Doh that works your fine motor muscles in your fingers… we know that children learn best through play-based experiences,” says Macasaet.

Daycare centers usually operate during similar hours to most parents’ work schedules, i.e. Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Hours can vary, and most centers charge additional fees for late pickups, so it’s important to choose a center with hours that align with your schedule.

What is an in-home daycare?

“In-home” daycares are exactly what they sound like: daycare programs that take place inside of someone’s home. Fiene notes that many parents of infants prefer in-home child care because it’s typically easier to find one close to your home and many have smaller ratios, allowing them to offer more individualized care. That said, it is important to vet providers thoroughly. Fiene says the provider should see their daycare as a business, not a side gig, and parents should choose a licensed and/or accredited provider whenever possible.

There are two main types of in-home daycares:

• Family daycare: A family daycare has one caregiver who cares for fewer than six children, though the specific amount will be determined by state-defined ratios. These providers may limit themselves to a specific age range or care for children of all ages.
• Group daycare: Group child care typically consists of two or more adult caregivers and a larger group of children of varied ages. For example, they may have two adult caregivers caring for seven to 11 children, depending on state ratios. It’s important that the providers have adequate resources and space to support a larger group.

What is a co-op daycare?

Co-op care can take place in a home or other setting, such as in a designated co-op space or rented facility. In most co-ops, a group of parents split child care duties with each other. Parents may “swap” child care duties, rotating who hosts daycare in their home each week, or they may work in shifts, assuming duties on certain days or during specific hours to accommodate each other’s schedules. Because co-ops are based on the needs of the parents involved with them, they may offer a more flexible schedule. That said, it’s important to make sure that everyone involved in the co-op is on the same page about basic standards of care, hours and the needs of the other families. It’s also important to adhere to state regulations, like ratios and safety guidelines.

Are daycares licensed?

Daycare centers: In order to operate, daycare centers must be licensed by the state, and the qualifications for licensing vary by state. Typically they include meeting certain health and safety requirements, as well as additional requirements related to training, certifications and background checks for employees. For example, in the state of California, daycare center employees must be educated in early childhood development and child to staff ratios require one teacher for every four infants or six toddlers.

In-home daycares: Some states do not require in-home daycares to be licensed. It’s important to review the requirements for your particular state, which can be found by looking at your local state government website or by searching the National Database of Child Care Licensing Regulations.

Can daycares be accredited?

In addition to licensing, daycares can seek accreditation through independent agencies, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC), or the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA). These agencies are nationally recognized and have a rigorous set of qualifications that daycares must meet, such as specific nutrition standards and required items that must be in the classroom to support learning and play.

According to Fiene, fewer than 10% of U.S. daycares are accredited. While accreditation is not a requirement or a 100% guarantee of quality care, he adds, “It’s a voluntary system and generally it indicates that providers have a real commitment to quality.”

What’s the difference between daycare and preschool?

Preschool is care for children ages 3-5 that is focused on kindergarten readiness and acquiring classroom skills. Daycares, on the other hand, usually include younger kids and there’s less of an academic emphasis. Preschools may be private and take place in homes or centers, or they may be special programs run by school districts or other state agencies. Many preschools are half-day, taking place for two to three hours in the morning or afternoon, though some daycares now offer preschool programs for older children that integrate preschool curriculum into their full-time care.

Preschools typically follow one of several child development philosophies. You’ve likely heard of Montessori or Reggio Emilia preschools.

“There are so many different philosophies offered in child care programs, and a lot of them have very similar underlying components of play,” says Macasaet. “It’s just different in how it’s approached.”

Three of the most common are:

• Montessori: Children learn from their peers in multi-age groupings, as well as through play-based activities in a specially set-up classroom with activity centers that stimulate their senses. Typically, children choose what “station” they’d like to play in and are not instructed to participate in one pre-determined activity as a group.
• Reggio Emilia: Children learn through teacher-generated lessons based on their interests. For example, a teacher may set up a pretend classroom grocery store or restaurant with designated activities to explore children’s interests in food and cooking.
• Waldorf: Children participate in play-based activities on a predictable schedule, such as having a designated art time, gardening time, baking time, etc. There’s an emphasis on creative learning, rather than learning through academic activities.