Child Care Centers care for children in groups.
All states require centers to be licensed. For regulations in Ohio
see: Ohio law pertaining to child care.
Licensing does not insure quality but it does set
minimum health, safety and caregiver training standards which
centers must maintain.
Why do Parents Choose Child Care Centers?
Parents choose
centers because they believe that larger groups, multiple caregivers
and state inspections make programs safer for their children and
make the arrangement more dependable. They respect the reputation of
the child care program or the institution sponsoring the program.
Many parents believe that more staff, space,
equipment, toys and the organized activities, provide a better
learning environment for their children.
Family child care providers offer care for
children in the provider's home. Although requirements vary from
state to state, most states require family child care providers be
regulated if they care for more than four children. Many states have
a voluntary regulation process for providers caring for four or
fewer children.
All states set minimum health, safety and
nutrition standards for providers. Most states require family child
care providers to have a criminal records check and/or child abuse
and neglect clearance. Many states require providers to have
pre-service and/or on-going training. Most states inspect family
child care homes annually or on a random sample basis.
Why do Parents Choose Family Child Care
Providers?
Parents choose
family child care because they want to keep their children in a
home-like environment. They prefer to relate to a single caregiver
and believe that children are healthier, happier and more secure in
smaller groups.
Some parents like having all their children in the
same group, or trust what they learned about the provider from
friends. Sometimes they choose family child care because they find
it closer to home, less expensive or more flexible.
In-home Caregivers provide care for children in
the child's home. They include live-in and live-out nannies and
housekeepers. 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.
Why do Parents Choose In-home Caregivers?
Parents choose in-home care because
they believe their children will be safer and more secure in their
own home. They believe that if they employ the caregiver to work in
their home, they have more control over the kind of care their
children will receive.
Some parents find in-home care is a more
convenient arrangement for the family and may provide more
flexibility. If there are several children involved, they may find
that in-home care is not significantly more expensive than other
forms of care.
Sometimes parents choose relatives, friends or
neighbors to care for their child. This type of care is often called
"Kith and Kin" care and can take place in the caregiver's home or in
the child's home. Sometimes parents arrange to work different
shifts, so that one parent is always available to care for the
children.
Many states do not regulate care provided by
relatives, friends and neighbors. A few states require these
informal providers to be screened through a criminal history check
and/or child abuse and neglect clearance. Several states require
minimal training in health and safety.
Why do Parents Choose Care by Relatives, Friends
and Neighbors?
Parents who use this kind of care consider themselves lucky to have
a relative, friend or neighbor care for their children. They believe
that these caregivers will provide warmer, more loving care for the
child and that the child will be more secure.
Many parents believe that relatives, friends and
neighbors will be more likely to share their values and they feel
more comfortable entrusting their children to them. Sometimes
parents use this type of care because their schedules, budgets or
transportation problems limit their other child care options.
from Child
Care Aware
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