Expensive Child Care Center or in Home Childcare

My mother was a preschool teacher, mostly in daycare settings when she worked for someone else. She also did a preschool in our home for a while when I was growing up. After talking to her about the differences, if I had to choose, I would put my child in an at home daycare. The fancy, expensive "structured" daycares hardly ever get to give those little ones the individual attention that they need. At age two, they don't need a bunch of fancy activities, they need love and room to explore. You are more likely to get this at an in home child care. Just do your research and pick a place that you and your son are both comfortable with. Ask them about what their day is like, and if you can, take the time to observe.

Hi J.,
Here is my opinion from an In-home Family Childcare -
For the structured learning activites here is how I go about it - I have a 4 year old and 3 2 year olds - I pick out what we are going to do that day and it is geared age appropriately - so the 2 year olds will be learning how to color and the 4 year old will be writing her letters or cutting and pasting. I can tell you she will learn more as far as vocabulary if there are older children there and children of her same age. She will get the benefits of both. My younger 3 have grown up with having their house as a daycare and having kids around all the time. I think there are benefits for both places but you should do what is best for your daughter and you do have to look at the money aspect of it. If you have any more questions feel free to ask, W. B.

I know many people would go for the daycare center because there is a false sense of security due to government regulations, but I stay home with my kids because I know they get more out of one on one attention. My baby LOVES to watch my preschooler, so I think the age differences can be a positive. The older kids teach and motivate the younger ones. Without getting into the stay home/work debate, I think daycare centers are more rigid in their scheduling, and that prevents children's attention spans from developing naturally. As long as the care provider is conscientious and kind, children are probably better off in a home environment.

I had always said " I will never take my child to an in ho,e day care, you have no idea whats going on"
then when my baby was a "health" 7 mo old I took him to a brand new day care and 3 days later he was sick and he wa VERY sick for teh next 5 months. I found a lady on craigs list, who i too had a good feeling about and so far it has been right!! my baby has not been sick 1 day he is happy, he is well feed, I know this because when he comes home hes not starving also she sends me a sheet every day. I am very happy with the experiance and also the price which is less than half the cost of the other day care.
As far as the age differance's I would be willing to bet the older children will teach your child more than the other 2 yr olds ever could!! your baby will want to keep up with the big kiddos.
GOOD LUCK !! S.