| First off, what is in home childcare? It simply | | | | Because of the smaller space that in home |
| refers to a service offered by childcare providers | | | | babysitting facilities offer, they tend to keep |
| who have decided to convert a home into a place | | | | enrollment to a minimum. Consequently, there is a |
| where you can drop off your child. In home | | | | lower ratio of teachers (or childcare providers) to |
| childcare is usually run by an independent childcare | | | | children, which is a good thing if you want your |
| provider or professional who also wants the | | | | child's every need to be met. |
| convenience of having a workplace and | | | | Most in home babysitting centers also have |
| residence-in-one. | | | | complete facilities in general, because these are |
| Although in childcare has a lot of features that are | | | | usually 'converted' homes. You can thus expect |
| different from large, commercial childcare centers, | | | | that they'll have everything your home has - a |
| owners of this service still need to comply with | | | | kitchen, toilet and bath, a laundry area, and a |
| government regulations and codes that have to | | | | well-stocked medicine cabinet for emergencies. |
| be observed in running the service. Check with | | | | The only thing you need to ask about are the in |
| the Better Business Bureau to ensure the | | | | home facility's safety features. Are the staircases |
| legitimacy of your chosen in facility. | | | | properly gated? Are doors leading to basements |
| If you want to ensure your child's safety, then | | | | or attics childproof? Are all the electrical outlets |
| you must look for an in home child care facility | | | | properly covered? Are allergy-causing pets kept |
| that is duly licensed. This assures you that the | | | | at a safe distance from the children? Are heating |
| place has been inspected by the authorities and | | | | units properly covered? |
| has passed the safety standards required of an | | | | For in home facilities that are still in their nascent |
| acceptable in care facility. | | | | stages, don't expect a staff that's armed with |
| Carefully inspect if the license's date is current and | | | | postgraduate education and years and years of |
| make sure that the business name and the | | | | experience. Usually, it's the owner of the facility |
| address of the in home facility is what is actually | | | | that's well-equipped with the necessary early |
| indicated on the license. When you're dealing with | | | | childhood education courses, who will then train his |
| your child's welfare, it's best to be doubly sure. | | | | or her staff eventually. |
| What you can expect from in home childcare | | | | |