After over twenty years in the field of Early Childhood Education and the childcare industry, today I was irritated by a blog post surrounding Family Childcare. There are so many misconceptions. I spent over ten years in Family Childcare before moving into commercial childcare centers, and while I won't get into that story again (you can find it on the blog), I do know a thing or two about Family Childcare Centers. So, lets clear some things up.
Myths:
"Home" daycare are just babysitters, they can just watch TV all day.
False. I talk about the differences in family childcare settings and how one can be vastly different from another, but MOST love children and are intent on doing what they can to ensure a safe, nurturing, positive environment for them to grow in. Yes, there are going to be some childcare providers that put on the TV, but it isn't likely that a licensed family childcare provider is going to have the TV on all day. It's definitely up to you to keep an eye (and ear) out for what the day-to-day structure is and it's easy to tell via information they provide about your child's day.
Family childcare isn't a "school setting" therefore, they aren't being taught.
True! They are not a school setting. However, neither are commercial childcare centers. Schools are licensed entirely differently. But both family childcare and commercial centers are licensed as childcare facilities. In all reality, typically so are "preschool programs" that are under 4 years old in most states. Yes, a commercial center has classroom doors but it does not make it a school - even if the building might look like one or they refer to their rooms as classrooms. Names can also be deceiving because you can name your childcare center Paula's Preschool if you want to, but it doesn't make it a school. Many family childcare centers have a curriculum that they follow and it's no different than a commercial setting would provide.
Providers are unqualified or underqualified to "teach", there's no curriculum.
False. Here's the deal - in commercial childcare centers there are definitely specific qualifications on who can be a lead teacher. However, depending on your state, that might be the same as it is for a family childcare provider. Additionally, often times family childcare providers are people who left the corporate world or teaching profession to open their own center and spend more time with their own children. Maybe they're retired. Here's the bottom line - don't jump to any conclusions - ask. You don't need a doctorate to understand or meet the needs of a child. Education and expertise in the field can come in a variety of ways.
The hours of operation are flexible because they're home anyway, right?: Nope. Family childcare providers are WORKING from home. Their days are longer than yours - I mean think about it, you drop off your child with them, drive and hour, drive an hour back and they're with the same person. Be considerate by adhering to not only the hours of operation but the hours you have told them you are going to arrive and depart. That is how they plan their day. You wouldn't appreciate it if your boss decided he was going to keep you 30 minutes after you were supposed to be off, neither do they. Caring for one baby is hard, caring for 12, even with the help of one or two assistants is harder, they are entitled to their downtime and family time.
Children don't go outside everyday.
Yeah, I know - that one is weird to me to. For the life of me I can't understand why people think this is true but believe it or not, we've heard it. It's also false. Children are required, in most states, to go outside every day. But again, when you're visiting, ask to see the playground they go to and just ask the question- "do you go outside everyday and for how long?".
Children don't have nutritious meals, they eat cupcakes and snacks.
Yep, another one I'm not sure I understand. Not only is this false, often times food in family childcare centers are better then they are at commercial centers. This is because if you have to cook for 12 tiny people or 124 it makes a difference into what you can cook and serve. It often makes a difference into whether you can afford to buy organic or not. This is definitely false.