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Part 1 Organizing a Quality Child Care Program
Most child care experts agree that when in-home care works well, it is highly
desirable for families and young children. Unfortunately, the reality is that often it
does not work out as planned. In-home child care is frequently provided by a
neighbor or other adult who is searching for another job and is willing to “babysit”
until something better comes along. The caregiver often has no training. If the care-
giver is a young mother, she may also want to bring her own child along. With this
type of care, there is no backup. When the caregiver gets sick or can’t come for some
reason, the parent usually has very little time to make other arrangements. If the care-
giver gets an opportunity for a better job, the parent may again be left with very little
notice. The lack of training in child care, which is characteristic of most in-home care-
givers, also means that the parent must be vigilant. Care in the child’s own home does
not mean that the caregiver will have the same values, guidance techniques, or will-
ingness to attend to the child that the parents have. A caregiver without ideas for
interesting activities may use the TV as daily entertainment for the child.
Nannies
In Europe, nannies have been a common type of child care for many years.
Nannies are now also becoming popular in the United States. Nanny-training pro-
grams have been developed in schools and community colleges. A nanny provides the
benefits of in-home care along with specialized training in the child development
field. Placement agencies exist to screen both the family who is recruiting and the
potential nannies. Good agencies review the qualities that the family wants, find suit-
able candidates, and review backgrounds and references. The agency also develops a
contract that provides protection for both the family and nanny. The nanny usually
lives and travels with the family, provides consistent care for the children, and
receives a professional salary. These arrangements can work out quite well if both the
family and the nanny view the situation with similar expectations.
Family Child Care
This type of care takes place in the caregiver’s home. The family child care
provider usually cares for several children who may be of varying ages, 2-7. Family
child care is often used for very young children. It is also found in rural areas where
there may not be enough children to keep a child care center in operation.
In many states, family child care homes are required to be licensed. They are
inspected and held to state-determined standards. A voluntary registration system
exists in other states. The number of children a family child care provider can care for
varies according to state regulations.
There are several advantages to family child care. It provides a homelike atmos-
phere. The number of children being cared for is usually low, so children get to know
each other well. There are fewer children and adults for a child to get used to.
Providers who see child care as their career frequently take advantage of training
workshops, newsletters, and classes about children. Often, the parents and the
provider’s family become good friends. Family child care may also provide more flex-
ible hours for parents whose work schedules vary.