How to Find an In-Home Daycare
Finding the best in-home childcare for your family can be an involved process. As a parent, you want to ensure that your child is situated in a positive, caring and educational daycare setting. Conducting thorough research and establishing open communication with a childcare provider can help you create a positive learning environment for your child.
Things You'll Need
- Computer with Internet access
- Telephone
- Pen and paper
Instructions
Do Your Research
Consult online resources to help get you started with your search for an in-home daycare. The Daycare Match website can assist with finding in-home providers in your area. Research licensed in-home providers through your local government's Department of Human Services website. ChildcareCenter.us is another online service that displays in-home childcare providers by state. Read online ratings of various providers and ask other parents for referrals to childcare providers. Call to speak with various program providers. Explain the specific type of daycare for which you are looking such as the age of your child, how many days and hours per week you will require childcare and any developmental information about your child that would be helpful for the childcare provider to know. Ask questions over the telephone about the specific type of curriculum offered at each in-home daycare. Ask the provider whether or not the in-home program she provides is licensed by your state. Plan a Visit
Schedule a visit with providers you feel might be a good match for your family. Specify if you prefer to observe the provider interacting with the children for which she currently provides care or if you would rather meet during after-school hours. Visit potential in-home daycare locations prepared with a list of questions. Cover points such as program policies and procedures, the cost of childcare, the daily schedule, what type of food is provided, where and when the children take naps or rest, what type of curriculum is offered, how the provider handles disciplinary situations and if there are outdoor activities included. Compile a comprehensive list of questions prior to your visit. Observe details regarding the home in which childcare is provided. Notice how clean the space is, the organization and layout of the area and safety features of the home. Ask to see the provider's childcare license to verify legitimacy. Look for a sanitary diaper-changing area that is separated from play and eating areas. Observe how the provider interacts with other children. Take your child along to meet different providers to help determine with whom your child gets along with the best. Encourage Communication
Talk with your provider on a regular basis to determine how your child is adjusting to the new environment. Find out if your childcare provider fills out a written information sheet explaining your child's daily activities. Ask specific questions to obtain information regarding your child's day if you do not receive a written report. Discuss your child's development with your childcare provider on a consistent basis. Offer information pertaining to your child's development such as his favorite types of learning activities, his changing eating and sleeping habits and anything that is happening at home that could affect his day with the childcare provider. Communicate information regarding your child's health and any concerns you may have about his general development. Communicate any future plans to change your child's daycare location in advance with your current provider. Ask your current childcare provider to prepare a written document outlining your child's developmental progress including what curriculum he has been working with and the routine he has been engaged in at his current in-home daycare. Obtain this information to help ease your child's transition into a new childcare setting.
