Expectations for Your In-Home Day Care Provider

In-home day care, whether it is provided at your home or the provider's home, has many advantages over child care provided at a center. Your child will get more one-on-one attention, and is less likely to be exposed to germs than in a center with a large number of children. In-home day care also tends to have more flexible hours. You and your little one are likely to have a better day care experience, however, if you go into it with a clear set of expectations.

  1. Written Policy

    • Your relationship with your child care provider is first and foremost a business arrangement, so you'll need certain policies set out in writing. These should include the hours, fees, number of children to be cared for and rules. With a provider who cares for children in her home, these should be rules she has come up with regarding such matters as discipline, food and activities. If you hire a nanny to care for your kids in your own home, you'll be the one who sets the rules. Make sure that the policy also covers what to do in the event a child or the provider is sick. If you will need to make alternate arrangements in the event of illness, it is best to have a plan in place ahead of time.

    Clear Communication

    • Make sure you and your provider are on the same page when it comes to what constitutes an acceptable amount of communication. If you'll be sending your child to someone else's home, it's reasonable to expect an open-door policy so you can visit at any time, although you should try to arrange this so you aren't upsetting the other children in the house. If you hire a nanny, let her know ahead of time if you plan to be calling, texting or emailing throughout the day so she will know what to expect. With either arrangement, you should be able to ask for either a written or verbal report at the end of the day regarding your child's activities and behavior.

    Safety First

    • You are right to expect a child care provider to be well versed in child safety and currently certified in infant and child CPR and first aid. If you take your child to the provider's home, check to make sure all toys are clean and age-appropriate, and have no sharp edges, and that outside play areas are enclosed and have soft surfaces. If care will be provided in your home, walk your nanny through all of the childproofing measures you've taken, and make sure she knows to keep your child in the areas you designate, and only use the toys and equipment you've specified.

    Compatible Philosophy

    • Look for a provider whose child-rearing philosophy jibes with your own. If you're into attachment parenting, make sure your provider isn't the type to let a baby "cry it out" instead of cuddling, and that she is warm and loving. If you're more of a "babywise" parent, look for a provider who will stick to a strict schedule of naps and feedings. With older children, ask questions about your provider's style of discipline and how she approaches important issues such as toilet training. If your provider differs from you in her general philosophy, this doesn't mean you can't work out some sort of reasonable compromise regarding rules and schedules, particularly if she will be caring for other children and has to take their needs and their parents' wants into account, as well as your own. You can, however, expect that whatever your differences, she will have respect for your parenting style and the choices you make.

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