New Mom Seeking Reliable Childcare Advice

My two kids have been with the same in home daycare provider for 3 years and both were 4 months when they started with her. She is on 24th St and Lincoln. Feel free to email me or call for her info. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

S. ###-###-####

My biggest concern with in-home child care providers was always "who watches the watcher?" So, ours are in a center-based daycare where there are always two teachers in the class. When the home-room group is too small early in the morning or towards evening, they combine classes and have again enough for two teachers. Which get's the children aquainted with other teachers so they have an easier time covering for each other due to sickness or vacation.
I love our center. Feel free to email me if you want to know more.

Best of luck with whatever you go with!
D.

Hi S..

I have only used in-home or on campus after school childcare programs. I agree that one con is the possibility of an illness in the provider's home - or an emergency that might call away the caregiver - however both of the in-home care givers I used had back-up sitters to call...sometimes in the provider's home, sometimes in the back-up caregiver's home, and sometimes in my own home - depending on the situation/circumstances. So - I would suggest asking about back-up plans when you interview care givers.

Yes, a con can be only one person caring for your child (i.e. no supervision) but I can tell you from experience that all 3 of the in-home childcare's I used over a course of six years -in-home daycares are quite busy!!! Connect with the other parents - it can be reassuring to talk with them away from the caregiver...sharing information and such.

Con:

One sitter I used did not work on her kid's or City of Phx holidays (her husband's employer)...I however, sometimes had school (ASU) on those days and thus had to either find alternate care, use one of her back-ups, or take my kiddo to campus with me, if possible. Make sure you ask when you interview!!

There are so many pro's:

1) generally less costly
2) often can get 1-2 weeks of "vacation" pay
3) often are more flexible with, well flexible schedules. I have found that "public" facilities consider part-time as partial week, not partial day. This might not be an issue - but still a pro, in my opinion =)
4) many in-home caregivers will only take on 1-3 infants at a time...generally less in my experience, whereas "public" facilities have a room full of babies in cribs.
5) babies in swings, in play yards, on blankets - tend to get more attention at in-home care as they are more like family settings with older children interacting with the babes - babies don't get much social interaction with other kiddos in "public" settings.
6) often have better hours of operation
7) tend to work better with special diets/needs/medications, etc, etc
8) often also have pre-school and so younger children can participate (to their ability) in pre-school activities
9) in-home caregivers will at times take your child to activities - if that is something you approve of. Our first sitter took my son to her son's Little League practice - granted he was the only one to go but he enjoyed it!
10) in-home sitters can become part of the family - someone you and your child may come to love and see years after childcare is no longer needed.

Last - in my experience - I have found that in-home childcare providers tend to like kids...REALLY like kids. They would HAVE to love them if they are willing to turn their houses into a public space. I have also found most have decided to do this type of work not only because they enjoy being around children but that they want to provide a safe cost-effective environment for their own children. The "public" caregivers I have had personal contact with tend to be very young, very inexperienced, and work for very low pay. They may claim to love kids - but really, it is just a job to them...and many move on to better paying jobs (if they can land one). I personally would rather an experienced mom take care of my child than have him stuck in a baby room with an under paid, under experienced, and frankly under educated 18-20-something who "loves" kids. Our first sitter was finishing up her AA when we started - and recently her MEd - in child development and child psychology. She quit her business once her children were all school aged and now teaches in a school with special needs children. The other two were at least AA or BA/BS educated.

I can recommend one caregiver near Union Hills and 51st Ave if you are interested. I have no idea what her status is right now - we used her when we lived on that side of town before my son started K (2nd grade now).

Anyhow - you really need to interview potential providers and ask, ask, ask questions!!

I am hopeful this helps some. Good luck finding a provider!! =)

PS I know a mom who interviewed at Tutor Time on 7th St/McDowell a few months ago. She was there for 1/2 hour with the caregiver for the infants. The entire time they were there - a baby was crying from his/her crib - and not once did the caregiver check on the baby!!

I'm located in Old Town/South Scottsdale and have a great in-home daycare that provides loving and educational childcare. The benefit of home daycare is that you can really get to know your provider, so both you and your child can form a close bond with her. Centers tend to have a high rate of staff turn-over and it's hard to really bond with the teachers because of that. Besides, a loving, home atmosphere where your child gets cared for like one of the family is hard to beat. I actually have one infant opening available right now, so if I'm not too far, I'd love for you to come and check out my facility. Our focus is on social and emotional development for the little ones and preschool/kindergarten readiness for the older children. Our days are structured, but not rigid, to accommodate the needs and interests of the children. A loose preschool curriculum is taught to children ages 2 and up, including weekly themes and daily projects. I have more than 16 years experience working in childcare, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology which focused on Child Development. I have been open in this location for 6 years. Breakfast, 2 snacks, whole milk and balanced, hot lunches are provided. All employees have been fingerprinted by AZ State, keep current First Aid/CPR training and follow AZ State laws concerning childcare. If you want some more information and to schedule a visit, please call me at ###-###-####.
Talk to you soon!

Being a home daycare provider I can list many PROS :) a licensed provider can have only 5 children and an unlicensed provider can have 4 children. So there is always a lot of attention at both of those options for you child. Less kids = less sickness ( but expect some) You don't have to worry about a different provider caring for your baby like with a centers high turn over in employees.
But you have to be prepared for unexpected closures at a home daycare. For example, my daughter is sick today and I had to call my parents to tell them last night. Which I know can put the parents in a tough spot but that is something you have to expect when you chose a home daycare. You will have to put complete trust in your provider because in most cases they are the only ones with your child all day. There is no one else supervising or checking in on them, besides the occasional drop in visit from the state.

Infants spots can be hard to come by so I would start interviewing daycares now. Interview more then one before you decide just so you have some to compare. Good Luck and congrats on your new baby!