Types of Childcare

Child Care in a Provider's Home

Family child care is care for your child in a caregiver’s home. Some family child care homes require a license, others don’t. It depends on how many children are cared for and the ages of the children.

A license is needed by a family child care operator if:

• They care for children who are unrelated to them
• They care for four or more children under the age of 12 (including their own).

A license is not needed if:

• They care for three or fewer children or
• They care for children from one household or
• All of the children are related to the operator.

Advantages of Family Child Care include:

• A home-like environment,
• Consistent care from one adult
• Siblings all in one place
• Few children in a setting
• Generally flexible hours
• Less exposure to illness

Disadvantages may include:

• Back-up care is not available in emergencies or sickness
• Provider may have little or no training in child development
• The facility may not be subject to state licensing
• Parents need to monitor quality of care more closely

Child Care Centers

Child care centers provide care outside a caregiver’s home. The center may provide full-day or part-day programming or both. Part-day programs include nursery schools, after-school programs or Head Start for preschool children.

Child care centers can be licensed to provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years of age (centers may care for older children in special circumstances.)

Some centers do not require a license (more information at DCFS Web site).

Advantages of child care at a c enter may include:

• A greater number of diverse playmates of the same age
• Activities specific to each age
• May have kindergarten programs
• Staff has education in child care and development and continued training is offered.

Possible Disadvantages:

• Hours and days of operation may not be flexible
• Age ranges may not be flexible
• Facility may not be subject to licensing

In-Home Care

In-home caregivers provide care for children in the child's home. They include live-in and live-out caregivers. Most states do not regulate in-home caregivers, but some states regulate nanny-placement agencies. Many states do, however, require in-home caregivers receiving child care subsidy payments to be screened through a criminal history check and/or child abuse and neglect clearance. A few require minimal training in health and safety.

Advantages of in-home care may include:

• Provides one-on-one care that may be more nurturing
• Easier than transporting child to and from a facility
• Child stays in comfortable, familiar home environment
• Less exposure to illnesses

 Possible disadvantages of in-home care may include:

• Need strong backup plan when provider is ill
• Less social stimulation for child
• Parents need to monitor quality of care more closely

Parents need to make the decision that feels right to them and for their family.