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"Family child care children are more likely to have a greater
number of real-life experiences than children in school-like settings. Children learn more from authentic experiences than
from goal-oriented activities" Janet Gonzalex-Mena, Vol 15, The National Perspective.
·Current educational thinking, and my own observation, see a great deal of benefit in a multi-age setting for children. As
well as a great setting for intellectual learning, it provides some great leadership and nurturing experiences for the older
children and lots of loving attention for the younger ones. It is considered to be a rich play and learning environment.
·Siblings have a chance to be together rather than separated into different classrooms according to age as they would be in
a childcare center. Outside of home, if given a family childcare experience, these years before five are some of the few
that siblings have in which they can create memories together.
·Family atmosphere vs. institutional setting of centers. For example, during the course of the day, our time may be spent
downstairs in the playroom, in the living room, the kitchen, the deck and backyard as opposed to a single classroom and a
single outdoor space.
·A more home-like setting. For young children especially, this often means a more restful setting. For example, many infants
find it difficult to get sufficient rest in a day care room with a number of other infants present. Here, infants/young toddlers
nap individually in one of my bedrooms. I feel this has its benefits in terms of health and disposition.
·Often less costly than a day care center or nanny.
·More individual attention than a large center can provide.
> Consistency of care. This makes it easier for children to develop a strong, trusting relationship since they do not have
to adjust to a variety of caregivers throughout the day. Continuity of care, over the day and over the years, is important
for young children.
· During the licensing procedures my background was checked by the police, a representative of the state has gone through
my home to make sure it is in compliance with many pages of state regulations. I am aware that at any time during my business
hours, there may be, and indeed, have been, unannounced visits from a state representative. This provides you with a greater
degree of security than in an unlicensed situation.
· I take advantage of continuing educational opportunities to keep current. A minimum of 15 hours of continuing education
is required by state licensing. As well as these hours, I also have additional continuing education hours that are required
to keep my teaching certificate current. Each year, the number of hours I spend on continuing education exceeds the minimum,
usually by quite a bit. Usually I average about 50 training hours per year..
Weaknesses
·I have to meet the needs of other children as well as your own. This differs from a nanny that you may have in your home,
for example.
·I am open fewer hours than a day care center.
Since opening in 1995, I have never had to call parents to say that I would not be open on a day that I was scheduled to be
open. However, this possibility does exist. Families using family childcare need to have a back up plan in case of illness
or emergency in the provider's own family.
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