Theresa Santoro

If you select daycare in private home setting, the same rules apply as when seeking care in a fixed based day care center. Check references (all references); check licensing, check with current parents. Background checks are essential, especially when choosing home care.

Not every home is created equal. We have seen the horror stories of children abused and neglected in a private home day care situation. However, some private homes are ideal places to leave your children. These women love raising your children and give them unconditional love. Your child feels secure and thrives as if you are right there with them. Upon first meeting the prospective provider, listen to your gut instinct. Remember, it is rarely wrong. And then get started in determining what is best for your family.

In the case of a private home, check for safety first. Is the house actually clean, or was it cleaned up for your visit. Make more than one visit. What areas are off limits to the children? Are their safety gates for stairs? What is the ratio of adult to childcare? Again, each state has its own rules. Are they licensed to provide care? Do they provide lunch? Nap time? Are there plenty of toys and books from which to play with and read? Is the schedule structured, or is it actually just babysitting?

Leaving your child to a babysitter eight hours a day is never an ideal situation. Although your child will grow, they will probably not thrive. A babysitter is not a professional. A babysitter is the teenager you use when you go out at night. Nannies, daycare centers, and home based care all tend to have structure geared to the age of the child(ren) they are caring for.

In a home situation, are the kids getting play time? Walks to the park? Do they drive places? If so, do they have safety seats for each child? Is the television on all day? What kind of television? PBS? Or the plethora of daytime talk and soap operas? Is the provider running errands and talking on the phone all day, or is she actually working? A silly question it seems, but this is their home. They may not be doing this as a "profession", but rather a way to make some extra money. Are they running other businesses in addition to this?

Is the caregiver gentle? How do they discipline? Do they spank or slap? Is there a pool that is not gated and locked? What about cleaning supplies and medications? Are they locked securely away?

Are there other adults at home during the day that is not involved in the caring of children? What are they doing during the day? Does the caregiver ever leave the children in this persons care?

Home care is a tough choice and should be studied carefully. Find out when the provider expects to take time off. Communication is the key to a successful run at a private home. What if they are sick? Planned vacation time? How many of their own children are there? What are the hours of drop off and pick up. What is the penalty for being late to pick up?