• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Family Daycare Compared to Center-Based Care

October 22, 2010 by ds_9723 Leave a Comment

Finding the right childcare arrangement for your family can be a tough task. Both family daycare and center-based daycare are popular childcare choices, but each has its pros and cons. In addition to considering your family’s priorities, needs and budget, your child’s temperament must also be a factor when choosing a childcare arrangement.

Environments

Family daycare is often called “in-home daycare,” because the childcare takes place in the caregiver’s home. Family daycares have a personal and homey feel. Since a very limited number of children are enrolled, children develop a close bond with their caregiver and others in daycare with them. Since the child-provider ratio is low in family daycares, children receive more flexible and customized care. Center-based daycare takes place in a commercial space and has a more institutionalized feel. Since there are many children enrolled in center-based daycares, and there are multiple providers, children tend not to develop as close a relationship with their caregiver. To ensure that the needs of all the children can be met in a center-based daycare, children must adapt to the center’s daily schedule of activities.

Pricing

While the cost of childcare varies significantly from state to state, family daycare is less expensive than center-based daycare. According to National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, in 2008, the average annual fee for full-time care for an infant in Massachusetts was $15,895 in a center-based daycare and $10,324 in a family daycare. In more rural areas, like South Carolina, the average annual fee for full-time care for an infant was $5,690 in a center-based daycare and $3,582 in a family daycare.

Oversight

Center-based daycares are subject to much more regulation than family daycares. While some local governments may oversee the operations of family daycare, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, most states do not regulate family childcare providers who care for two to five children. While home daycares are usually required to obtain state health and safety licensing, many don’t. Since family daycares are smaller than center-based daycare, they aren’t as likely to get caught if they don’t have the proper licensing. While voluntary accreditation is available through the National Association for Family Child Care, only a few hundred family daycares currently have accreditation. Center-based daycares are regulated more strictly and are required to be licensed to operate. In addition, in most states, there are age and training requirements for center-based providers. Providers must also pass a criminal background screening.

Scheduling

Since family daycare providers operate out of their own home and only care for a few children, they are usually more willing to be flexible with their scheduling. They’ll usually open early and close late for a minimal fee, if a parent’s schedule demands it. Center-based daycares have strict hours of operation. If parents are late for picking up their children, it’s not uncommon for a center to charge by the minute.

Considerations

Since the family daycare provider is likely the only person caring for your children, if she or a family member is sick or if there is a family emergency, you’ll likely have to find back-up childcare. In center-based daycare, there are several providers and a substitute can often be called, should a provider need a day off. If you are concerned about your child getting sick from daycare, you may want to opt for family daycare. The more children your child is around, the greater the chances are he’ll get sick. When making your childcare choice, take into consideration which environment may best suit your child. If your child seems to do better in small group settings, family daycare may be the best option.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ds_9723

Michelle LaRowe is the 2004 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year and the author of the "Nanny to the Rescue!", "Working Mom's 411" and a "Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists." Michelle graduated from Bridgewater State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and holds a Certificate in Pastoral Studies from Global University. To learn more about Michelle visit www.michellelarowe.com.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

It’s One of Those “I Suck” Days…

Do you ever just have one of those I suck days? I do - a … [Read More...] about It’s One of Those “I Suck” Days…

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

How to Detect a Miscarriage

Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Night Sweats During Pregnancy

Night Sweats During Pregnancy

Cover a Pork Roast

Should You Cover a Pork Roast & Add Liquid When Baking?

Cures & Remedies for Head Lice

Cures & Remedies for Head Lice

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.