Parents,
Was the fact that your home child care provider licensed important to you? Did it hold a value above your own intuition? I recently overheard a conversation between two women where one had recently toured two home child cares. One referred through a licensed agency and another referred by a friend. She liked the look an feel of the non-licensed centre more and thoroughly enjoyed her conversation with the caregiver, but was leaning toward the licensed provider simply because she was licensed.
I was a little surprised, I always thought I'd trust my gut when it came to picking child care for my child. Does having a license automatically make the centre better?
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Absolutely not. I looked at licensed and non-licensed places, and my son is in a non-licensed spot. We're so happy with our decision! He climbs out of the car seat in the morning and runs into his sitter's without a look back at mom or dad. Having that makes it possible for me to go to work without making myself sick about worrying about him.
The minute I met our sitter, both my husband and I knew she was it. She was the only one who got down to our son's level, played with him and worried about making a good impression on HIM, not my husband and me. He's the one we need happy, if he's happy we'll be.
Interestingly, I was checking out government reports online about the licensed centers in our area. Out of 10, all but one had at least one infraction. So I certainly don't think licensed is necessarily better.
Great pictures! I agree with you. Mommy gut feeling is more important to me than any paperwork someone filed somewhere. I am so glad you found a great spot you are happy with.
I work in a licensed center and have my daughter in a non licensed home care.
I wouldn't change it for the world! I love my provider and so does my kid. One day I had an opportunity to take DD to work with me cause the provider didn't hear my knocking ( I was earlier than norm forgot to tell her) and I was putting DD in the car and she was crying so hard and yelling that my provider heard her and opened the door. She did not want to go to work with mommy!!!
I would say it totally depends on the vibe I get from the provider. However, there are some things I would consider a must - mainly the "little" things like having up-to-date First Aid + CPR training. Just to ease peace of mind IF anything were to happen. Then, things like similar discipline techniques and whatnot. That being said, I work in a licensed center but would have no qualms sending my future children to non licensed, as long as the feeling was right. I would check ANY DCP out to the same extent - licensed or not.
As of this week, my daughter has attended both a licensed centre and home care. Very different situations. I can not say which I like better (hard not to be biased since I run a licensed centre myself). However I am definitely enjoying having my daughter at work with me everyday.
I think the best thing about licensed group care compared to unlicensed home care is that big brother is always watching. Home private care I think would be very challenging because you have not coworkers to help support you. In a licensed centre, other are there to help and make sure you abide by behaviour management policies. You also never know when your license inspector, playground inspector, public health inspector, executive director or parent may walk in - it's a nice safety net that many people like. But, as others have posted, you do need to trust your gut instinct. If you do go the home care route, for god's sake please check references and better yet, vary your pickup time - you've probably heard the horror stories of providers putting children in playpens or in front of the tv all day until just before pick up time.
To parents: I know it can be a challenge to find quality child care (with home/group/licenced or not/profit or non profit), but you've got to research and make a smart decision. Using the first available child care service "because" I have to go to work is NOT an excuse to put your child in jeopardy.
Well said Gord!!!!
First off, I want to thank all of you for posting your thoughts on licensed Vs. Non licensed childcare. It's good to hear both sides. I am a recent graduate who completed my ECE. I am looking into opening my own family daycare out of my home one day. I currently rent so if I wanted to open up my own family daycare I would have to be a licensed day care provider in order to maintain and keep my license active. Unfortunately my landlord won't allow it because it's a liability if anything shall happen. Fair enough.
From an ECE's point of view on why I feel being licensed is good is not only does it keep us ECE's fresh and up to date on child development, guidance and caring and other helpful resources, they also are there to support the parents and community as well as making sure your children's needs are being met. Universal precautions, Safety, nutrition, ratio per children and so much more. I am not saying that where your children are at are not safe it's just a perk to be licensed for both ends.
As for myself, this is one of the reasons I want to wait and get all the experience before I open up a licensed family day care. The toughest job is not the children it's dealing with parents and keeping it professional and always communicate with them. Establishing a good reputation for ones self and trust with parents.
I thought about opening a non license family daycare but I worked too hard to get to this point AND i WANT licensing to come in to my home and help me to make a safer, healthier better environment for myself and all children. The last thing I want is my doors to be closed. I think if anyone chooses a non licensed childcare ask A LOT of questions when looking for a any type of group/family daycare. See what kind of curriculum and guiding and caring techniques they provide. maybe give them scenarios and see how they respond. I believe this site may have a questionnaire for interviews. You can maybe use that as a base and go from there.
It's a personal choice and there's no judgement. I just feel parents sometimes trust too much based on the connection they feel and are too busy and rushed. Please just ask more questions and do your research on the company/person. Ask for criminal checks. Find out how much experience and also find out the history. Okay so I can go on. haha. Just be safe. It makes me so sick to my stomach to hear children being abused or neglected.
Take care!
Anita
I LOVE your post. Thank you! i feel the same way.