Frequently Asked Questions & their answers:
JUST WHAT IS FAMILY/CHILD DAY CARE?
It is home-style care for your child, but in my home. "OK, I get it! You're a babysitter!" Well... not quite. The British term "child-minder" is really a much more accurate description of what I do: I keep very busy minding everyone's basic daily needs which includes LOTS of loving & nurturing and chasing little ones around (who has time to "sit"?!). We laugh & play together indoors and out. TV is limited to Baby Einstein, Dora, Blue, and PBS. And we eat around a real kitchen table in a normal family atmosphere. So you see, Family Day Care really IS home-style care, just the way you would give it.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE DAY CARE OVER A LARGE CENTER?
One of the major benefits family day care offers that center-based care simply cannot is that mom/family setting. A home atmosphere fosters an overall feeling of satisfaction, contentment & security. Homes are comfy and cozy, never cafeteria-style or institutional-feeling. At home, children get nurtured the way they should be, and deserve.
Small groups are less stressful to children. In them, children can foster closer social bonds and get closer attention to even their smallest details.
And Family Day Care is just as safe, if not safer! than a Center. Licensed providers must adhere to County, State and sometimes Federal, guidelines. Personally, I am regularly visited by DSS/Licensing, & CCRR.
Health is another reason to choose FDC. Parents know that the fewer people their child is exposed to--the less likely they are to become ill. ESPECIALLY DURING FLU SEASON!! Center-based care may offer separate rooms for different age groups, but the fact remains that large numbers of people (children, parents, employees & visitors) walk through a center's doors--often over 100 people each day.
Finally, in centers children are passed hand-to-hand during the day. They don't allow their staff to work overtime, so generally three (3!) part time shifts are used on a normal business day. In contrast, your provider runs her business from her home, so generally you can rest assured your child can go from infancy to kindergarten and beyond with the same caregiver.
I DON'T NEED REGULAR CARE, MY KIDS ARE ON A TRACKING (OR CUSTODY/VISITATION) SCHEDULE. HOW DOES THAT WORK?
I have no problem with occasional or temporary Care -- single days, weeks or months are fine with me. In most instances, a simple phone call a few days or a week ahead to ask if I have openings on XYZ days is all it takes!! Be assured I WILL accomodate you, if I can.
One of the major benefits family day care offers that center-based care simply cannot is that mom/family setting. A home atmosphere fosters an overall feeling of satisfaction, contentment & security. Homes are comfy and cozy, never cafeteria-style or institutional-feeling. At home, children get nurtured the way they should be, and deserve.
Small groups are less stressful to children. In them, children can foster closer social bonds and get closer attention to even their smallest details.
And Family Day Care is just as safe, if not safer! than a Center. Licensed providers must adhere to County, State and sometimes Federal, guidelines. Personally, I am regularly visited by DSS/Licensing, & CCRR.
Health is another reason to choose FDC. Parents know that the fewer people their child is exposed to--the less likely they are to become ill. ESPECIALLY DURING FLU SEASON!! Center-based care may offer separate rooms for different age groups, but the fact remains that large numbers of people (children, parents, employees & visitors) walk through a center's doors--often over 100 people each day.
Finally, in centers children are passed hand-to-hand during the day. They don't allow their staff to work overtime, so generally three (3!) part time shifts are used on a normal business day. In contrast, your provider runs her business from her home, so generally you can rest assured your child can go from infancy to kindergarten and beyond with the same caregiver.
I DON'T NEED REGULAR CARE, MY KIDS ARE ON A TRACKING (OR CUSTODY/VISITATION) SCHEDULE. HOW DOES THAT WORK?
I have no problem with occasional or temporary Care -- single days, weeks or months are fine with me. In most instances, a simple phone call a few days or a week ahead to ask if I have openings on XYZ days is all it takes!! Be assured I WILL accomodate you, if I can.
DO YOU ACCEPT SICK CHILDREN?
No, I am not allowed to -- Family Child Care licenses are issued only for non-medical, well-child care. Licensing is very clear on the fact that this is a family day care home and not a clinic-- in fact during their inspections, they actually check the health of all children present in addition to the safety of my facility! Illness exclusion and return criteria are listed in your Handbook.
No, I am not allowed to -- Family Child Care licenses are issued only for non-medical, well-child care. Licensing is very clear on the fact that this is a family day care home and not a clinic-- in fact during their inspections, they actually check the health of all children present in addition to the safety of my facility! Illness exclusion and return criteria are listed in your Handbook.
WILL YOU CHARGE FOR MY CHILD'S ABSENCES?
Yes, because I fulfilled my commitment to you: I will have specifically set aside the designated time & reserved a roster position just for you, to the point of turning others away. Also, I will have shopped and otherwise prepared behind the scenes to receive your child --that's space, time & preparation which cannot be returned, re-sold, or filled by the next person in line.
Charging a flat fee regardless of attendance is what gives me my budget, from which bills are paid and I make a modest living
Yes, because I fulfilled my commitment to you: I will have specifically set aside the designated time & reserved a roster position just for you, to the point of turning others away. Also, I will have shopped and otherwise prepared behind the scenes to receive your child --that's space, time & preparation which cannot be returned, re-sold, or filled by the next person in line.
Charging a flat fee regardless of attendance is what gives me my budget, from which bills are paid and I make a modest living
WHY AREN'T YOUR RATES POSTED?
Rates are given at our interview as they are determined by the days and hours of care needed. Be assured I set them as fairly as possible and they are within the averages of the State RMR (regional market rate).
WHEN SHOULD I START POTTY TRAINING?
Potty training should be done once your child is off the bottle, wakes up dry from naps, can pull his own pants up & down, has reasonable pee & poo holding control, AND can express his need to go before it’s too late—This generally happens at about 30 months of age.
SPECIAL NOTE ON TIPS & GIFTS:
Every year on Christmas Eve, "Santa" fills the kids' stockings during naptime -- just another service she offers(!) This is paid for by the elves, I do NOT put out a tip jar or gouge my parents thru annual materials fees. We do Santa for the kids because their joy makes us happy!
