center day care vs in someone's home

What are people's opinions? We have a wonderful recomendation for an in-home that our friends us, and we also have a recomendation for a center based dc closer to my job. The center is a little less money, but not enough to make a difference.

Wondering if people have a preference or an opinion on which type of dc is better

TIA!

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

I think you have to look at the positives and negatives of each and see which works best for you

daycare- usually they dont close, but you cant bring a sick kid, I know my friend can bring her sick kid to her sitter

in home-might close if they are sick, vacation, etc, hours might be more limited, might have less kids and provide with more attention

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

it's a matter of comfort - I am not at all comfortable with an in home daycare situation, or a nanny.

I prefer my son be in more of a 'school' environment. Lots of adults around, all accountable to each other, an asst. director, a director etc - I was just more comfortable w/ it being 'regulated' that way

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

My daughter is at a babysitter at a house. She is there with 2 other children around her age. Personally it was the right choice for us. It's like a 2nd home to Kayla...she loves her babysitter and is very comfortable there. She gets lots of love and attention and is sick a lot less often because its less children. I originally chose this because she was only 4 months old when she started and I was more comfortable with her being with an experienced mother and in someone's home. It also came down to money. I pay a flat rate for the day...only for the days I use. As a teacher Im off all the time. If DD was in a center I would be paying for the weeks in December, February, spring break and over the summer when Im off.

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

Thanks ladies, you gave me lots to think about

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

You should consider tax advantages bc the in home might not be reporting the income so you might not be able to get tax deductions you would otherwise be entitled to

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

Re: center day care vs in someone's home

I've been apart of both. My mother did a home daycare when I was growing up and as an adult I've taught at daycares & preschools. After experiencing both sides I have to say that I truly think if I do have to send my child somewhere, it would most definitely be a home daycare (but mind you a home daycare that I TRUST! Because of course there are some bad ones out there). My reason for this is that it's a home setting where the caregiver can give each child better one-on-one attention. In the school environment I've found there to be a bit less of that. Depends on the size of the class, but sometimes there are just too many children that each one just kind of becomes lost in the crowd. That's been my experience at least. Another reason for my choice is the health benefits. I find working in a preschool that a lot of parents bring their children in no matter how sick they are, which really disturbs me. In no time at all the sickness spreads. In an environment with less children, of course that risk is not so high. But of course there's good & bad to each one. I mean at a home daycare if the caregiver is sick, then you're out of luck because most likely there is no sub for the day like in a daycare. Also vacation time could be more random, as well as hours. In the end you just need to really look into it and figure out which one works best for you.

Message edited 9/17/2010 11:29:38 PM.