If hiring a nanny or enrolling in a daycare center isn’t right for your child, family child care may be the perfect fit. It’s a daycare operated out of an owner’s home.
Parents choose this option of child care for a variety of reasons — the reduced cost, the home-like setting and other benefits like mixed age classes and more diversity. Often, it’s more like a family than a classroom, and this diversity can be a great learning environment for kids of all ages.
Although there are some differences, family child care still shares many characteristics with a traditional daycare center. If you’re interested in family child care and wondering how to find the best one for your child, here are helpful tips from Patricia Dischler, co-founder of the Child Care Network and former president of the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC); Lynn Gibson, a former president of the Florida Family Child Care Home Association and owner of a family daycare for about 30 years; and Carolyn Stolov, executive director at Wellesley Community Children’s Center.
What is family child care?
Family child care, sometimes also referred to as family daycare, is a type of daycare that’s provided in a home-like setting. Typically, a family child care will have one caregiver and a small group of children of diverse ages. Groups are often limited to six kids or fewer, depending on state guidelines. Some family child cares may also have more than one caregiver.
Find a family child care near you
What to look for in a quality family child care
1. Safety
Safety is the No.1 concern for parents when considering any type of child care. Gibson often tells parents: “You wouldn’t turn over your credit card to a stranger, nor would you want to hand your child over to a stranger.”
When you interview a potential caregiver and tour their home, keep safety issues in mind. Parents should ask:
- Is the caregiver trained in child development?
- Are they certified in child and infant CPR and first-aid?
- Does the caregiver regularly renew their trainings and certifications?
- Does the caregiver follow infant sleep guidelines?
- What safety procedures does the provider have in place?
The provider should follow all safety standards, such as keeping areas clear of hazards, washing hands, surfaces and toys and labeling all cups, bottles and food containers. “You want to be comfortable with the person watching your child,” comments Stolov. She suggests that you “change up your schedule and show up at different times of day unannounced, so you can see what’s happening and make sure everything is safe.”
2. Licensing and background checks
“Parents should always look for providers who meet the regulations for their state,” reminds Dischler. Licensing for family daycare varies by state. Some states use the term “licensed,” while others say “certified.” Additionally, some states have strict standards for family child care providers, while others have only basic safety standards.
Figure out the laws in your area by checking out this helpful state-by-state guide to daycare licensing.
Stolov says parents can also call the state licensor to verify that a program is licensed, check for complaints against and see how often the licensor visits the program. Lastly, check to see if a family child care is accredited by NAFCC, which means it has already been thoroughly vetted (though you should still check it out yourself).
Unregulated child care homes are a risk for parents and their children and should always be avoided. “Also ask the provider who will be visiting the home during the day, as well as who lives in the home,” says Stolov. “Be sure that everyone in the home is background checked. No one should have contact with children unless it has been approved through the licensing department.”
3. Appropriate child care ratios
According to Stolov, family child care settings have much smaller ratios than child care centers. Some just have the owner as the primary caregiver with about five children, while others have large group homes with a caregiver, assistant and around ten children.
Ratios of adults to children vary by state; however, a minimum standard to expect is:
- 1:5 for children 2-3 years old.
- 1:7 for children 3-4 years old.
It should be evident the provider can care for the children and nurture each child’s development in language, cognitive, motor, social and self-help skills. There should also be adequate space both indoors and outside for the number of children who are receiving care in the home. The standard used in most states is 35-square-feet per child.
4. A solid reputation
Ask for references from parents whose children are currently attending the family care center. Search online for reviews and comments on the service. Both methods will allow you to check the reputation of the provider and make sure families are happy. When a family child care home has been in operation for many years, it’s a good sign quality care is provided.
“When checking references, ask the reference if they ever had to bring up a difficult issue with the provider and ask how the provider handled it,” Stolov adds. “You want to find a provider that is flexible and open to partnering with you on the best way to care for your child.”
5. Written policies, plans and procedures
Providers should offer parents a written copy of all procedures and policies. This includes:
- The daily routine.
- Any planned curriculum.
- Policies governing sick children.
- Behavoral expectations.
Age-appropriate rules and consequences in line with your parenting philosophy will make your child feel at home. And knowing these plans and procedures in advance will help you and the caregiver work together to provide the best experience for your child.
6. Emergency protocols
While daycares often have multiple caregivers, a family child care program is usually just one provider. Stolov suggests asking what happens in case of an emergency and making sure those rules are written down.
“If the caregiver gets sick in the middle of the day, is there someone on call and can you meet them? Are they background checked? Are they listed with the licensing department as part of the emergency plan the provider must submit?”
Also ask the caregiver what their emergency plans are. Do they practice fire drills with the kids, for example, and how often?
7. Open lines of communication
Gibson says the caregiver should be committed to working with parents as a team on issues that cross over from home to daycare. Providers should also share concerns about the child’s development and tips to help parents deal with any problems the child may have.
“You have to feel comfortable bringing up issues and talking with the provider,” says Stolov. She suggests spending a day or a few hours at the home before your child attends. “See what a typical day looks like and how the provider handles behavior challenges and other things that come up when caring for young children,” she adds.
8. Compassionate caregivers
An atmosphere of love for children and constructive discipline will make children feel safe and enhance their emotional well-being. Dischler believes these are the most important things that show parents they have found a great family child care home. “Providers who care for children in their home do more than set up an environment for children to learn, they create an environment for families to thrive,” she says.
Above all, Gibson recommends that you: “Look for someone who can look you in the eye and show you that they can offer you a great place for your child in a safe and clean environment with happy children.”
A great family child care provider will become a member of your family, helping raise your child in a loving manner to be kind, courteous, helpful, honest and respectful.
