Just what is family childcare? In short, it is childcare that is offered in the provider's home. Home daycare providers are NOT babysitters!
Actually, quality family childcare is so much more then that! Quality childcare providers choose home daycare as their careers because they enjoy being around children and they enjoy helping children to get that good start in life that they deserve.

One of the major benefits family childcare offers that center-based care simply cannot is a small group. Any parent of a young child knows that the fewer people their child is exposed to, the less likely they are to become ill. Center-based care may offer separate rooms for different age groups, but the fact of the matter is, that when large numbers of people, children as well as their parents walk through the center's doors, as many as 100 people a day could be bringing their cold or flu germs into that environment! Factor in all of the center's employees and the potential for exposure to illness seems staggering.

Due to the low ratio of children in each program to begin with, and the even lower number of infants allowed, parents can really appreciate the individualized attention that is offered in these homes, and know that what is being offered really is serving their child's best interests.
Here are just some of the benefits to having your child in a home daycare setting:

* Children are more comfortable, as being in a home is what they are used to.

* Smaller teacher/child ratio ( the total number of children- 7)

* Children receive more one on one attention

* Parents are more involved and better informed with their child's learning and development.

* Stronger peer relationships are formed

* Less structured day, as we can stay on an activity longer/shorter depending on how children are responding to activity. Children learn more as they are not rushed to the next activity.

* More day trips, as less children means less planning to go out and do something different.

* Better field trips- less children and less cost.

* Better teacher/child communication as well as teacher/parent communication

* A better sense of belonging.

*Children have more of a say of how they are learning their basic preschool skills