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One of the first child care decisions you will make will involve the type of care that is best for you and your child. The three basic choices are: · Care in your own home; · Care in a provider's home, or · Care in a center. One choice isn't better than another. The choices simply represent differences.
Family child care is particularly popular with the parents of children younger than three, who prefer a home-like setting with just a few children involved. It also is popular with the parents of two or more children, because it allows siblings to be cared for together, without parents making multiple arrangements for their youngsters.
In addition, family child care often can be more flexible, which can be helpful for school-age children and employees who work nontraditional hours. Family child care fees generally are on par with center fees and usually are less than bringing someone in to care for a child in the parents' home.
Advantages of Licensed Family Child Care
- Fewer children in this setting means a more manageable environment for your child, and more individualized attention
- Warm, home-like, family atmosphere occurs in a neighborhood environment
- One adult provides consistent care
- Siblings are cared for together
These four features make family child care well-suited for infants and toddlers, who benefit from a comforting, small-scale setting and close interaction with an adult. Other advantages include:
- Children can benefit from mixed age groups
- Child-initiated-provider-directed atmosphere encourages a child to explore his imagination and creativity, as well as to develop skills that encourage him or her to be self-expressive
- Customized and flexible hours sometimes include night and weekend care.
- Nutrition programs are available
- Developmentally appropriate programs can be offered
- Family settings might offer special needs care
- Family care is regulated through Colorado Department of Human Services
- This type of care meets or exceeds training requirements set by the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Potential disadvantages
Family providers may not have backup care available if they become ill or if they go on vacation. This leaves parents scrambling for alternative arrangements.
As a Parent.. What to Ask?
The best child care providers supply a safe, loving atmosphere for children, one in which children can thrive physically, emotionally and intellectually. Gather recommendations and screen the top candidates over the phone, then visit for close observation. Ask the following questions, and do not hesitate to ask more if you have them. Your child will spend long hours under this person's supervision, so it's important to find the kind of child care you want and need. The following criteria will help identify signs of quality care, but above all trust your feelings. Are you comfortable with the overall feeling of the home and the provider? Questions to ask include:
- Does the provider have a current child care provider license?
- What are the hours of operation?
- Are meals USDA approved?
- Will the provider offer overtime care?
- What arrangements are made when the provider goes on vacations?
- What are the provider's discipline policies?
- What activities are available for various age groups?
- Where will these activities take place?
- How much television will kids be watching?
- What supplies will be needed from home?
- What are the policies when your child is ill?
- What safety precautions does the caregiver offer?
- What is the nap and quiet time schedule?
- Will field trips be offered?
- What provisions are available for special-needs children?
- If the child travels away from the home, what type of transportation will be used?
- Does the provider hold membership in professional child care organizations?
- Does the provider current training or credentials
For child care referral service and information about choosing licensed child care, call the child care resource center in your area. A Fact Sheet, "Selecting a Child-Care Facility" is available by logging onto the Colorado State University web page at www.ext.colostate.edu. In addition, you can contact Ann Zander, Colorado State University Extension agent in Boulder County, Colorado, at (303) 776-4865 or e-mail: aczpa@co.boulder.co.us
or contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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