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Checklist for Family Child Care Homes

The Caregiver
Does the Caregiver…

_____ have a current license from the Department of Human Services?
_____ seem to be someone that both my child I would enjoy?
_____ create an atmosphere where children feel loved and cared for?
_____ interact with children in a kind and gentle manner?
_____ listen to, talk and play with the children?
_____ have time to give each child special and personal attention?
_____ use age appropriate discipline techniques?
_____ participate in child development related training opportunities?
_____ have Infant/Child CPR training?

The Daily Schedule
Does the Schedule…

_____ allow time for children to play both quietly and actively?
_____ allow time for children to play both indoors and out?
_____ allow time for children to play both independently and cooperatively?
_____ allow time for planned activities such as singing, listening to stories, playing games, cooking and so on?
_____ limit TV time to an amount that I am comfortable with for my child?

The Environment
Do I See…

_____ a home that is safe, clean and comfortable?
_____ a special place for my child’s personal belongings?
_____ a home that looks fun and inviting to children?
_____ a selection of toys and equipment that are appropriate for the age of my child and that are in good condition?
_____ adequate space for children to play both indoors and out?
_____ a selection of toys and materials that interest and stimulate children?
_____ a menu, complete with meals and snacks, that is nutritious and includes food that children like to eat?
_____ appropriate and clean eating, diapering and napping areas?

Personal Feeling and Impressions
As a parent, am I comfortable with…

_____ the person who will be caring for my child?
_____ the other children in the home?
_____ the home atmosphere?
_____ the caregiver’s open door policy? (For example: Am I free to stop in and visit my child any time?)
_____ the caregiver’s contract or policies?
_____ the caregiver’s pets?
_____ the caregiver’s smoking preference?
_____ the daily routine my child will follow?
_____ the location and convenience of the caregiver’s home?
_____ the hours and days care is provided?
_____ the provider’s flexibility in meeting my family’s needs?
_____ the fees and payment schedules?
_____ the arrangement for when the caregiver is sick or on vacation?
_____ the arrangement for when my child is sick?
_____ the amount of time, if any, my child will spend being transported in the caregiver’s car?

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Quality Home Child Care

A family childcare provider continues the parents role of caregiver, nurturer, comforter, and first teacher. The provider is not just a  babysitter. A sitter comes into your home for a few hours. You tell her what you want for your child.
A family childcare provider welcomes you and your child into her home. She plans meals, schedules, and safety. She organizes the children's activities. She will appreciate your family values and child rearing practices. She is a professional and you can rely on her judgment. Working together as a team, you will provide the best for your child. The provider is not a substitute for you. You are the most important person in your child's life and the provider respects that.

Here are just a few of the advantages of home care!
1.  Your child receives individual attention.
2.  There is structure with more flexibility than in a center.
3.  There is less illness because there are fewer people in and out, which means fewer germs are spread to your child.
4.  Your child is cared for and taught by a trained childcare professional who is usually a mother as well.
5.  Children have an opportunity to play and learn with others in a much smaller group than in a center.
6.  Your child has the same caregiver all day every day. And there is one person who knows exactly what your child has done, eaten, etc.   throughout the day.
7.  It is possible for your child to remain with the same provider from infancy up to or through school age.
8.  A quality childcare home may cost more than some day care centers, but the lower number of children, quality of care and consistency of the caregiver makes the difference in price more understandable.
9.  The ratio of children per caregiver is much lower in a childcare home than at a daycare center. For example a daycare may have 11 two year olds with one caregiver or 22 two year olds with two caregivers; A registered childcare home is allowed a maximum of 12 children with one caregiver and 14 children with two caregivers..
10.  You and your child are treated as part of the family in a childcare home rather than being just another number in a large center.

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10 COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN A HOME CHILD CARE PROGRAM

I. HONOR THY CAREGIVER'S SCHEDULE

Yes, there is life after care giving. Caregivers have appointments to keep, dinner dates and shopping to do. Resist that temptation to stop for groceries and arrive on time to pick up your children. Both child and caregiver will appreciate your punctuality and, if one day you are unavoidably delayed, your caregiver will understand. Your caregiver also likes a predictable arrival time. It simplifies planning her daily schedule. Always call when something in the regular schedule changes.

II. THOU SHALT NOT DELAY PAYMENT OF PRE-ARRANGED FEES

Caregivers base their budgets on predictable cash flow just as you do.

III. THOU SHALT NOT KEEP THY CONCERNS TO THYSELF

If something is bothering you, talk to your caregiver. Then work together to provide a solution. Likewise, do not hesitate to tell her when you are pleased with her efforts. Communication is essential.

IV. THOU SHALT NEGOTIATE AND RESPECT A REASONABLE CONTRACT

Having requirements in writing clarifies expectations for both parents and caregiver.

V. THOU SHALT NOT KNOWINGLY EXPOSE CAREGIVERS AND CHILDREN TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Yes, we know bosses aren't always sympathetic when you need to stay home with a sick child. A substitute caregiver could help you with this issue. Remember, the guidelines on illness that you are asked to follow also protect your child from exposure. Even if not infectious, a child should be well enough to take part in program activities. Would you want your child to miss a special event because one of the other children was not well enough to participate?

VI. THOU SHALT BRING THY OFFSPRING IN A WELL RESTED STATE

All children have bad nights occasionally. But a regular bedtime and a good night's sleep means the child will be cheerful, energetic and ready to fully participate in an active program. We want him/her to have fun.

VII. THOU SHALT KNOW THYSELF AND THY NEEDS

Before you start interviewing prospective caregivers, think about what is important to you with regard to environment, location, schedules, child guidance etc. Then choose a program that meets your requirements. Don't expect a caregiver to change her views or program to match yours. (except minor exceptions)

VIII. THOU SHALT TAKE NECESSARY TIME TO EASE CHILD INTO AND OUT OF ANY CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENT

A schedule of visits let you, your child and caregiver become familiar and at ease with each other. Leave taking also requires preparation.

IX. THOU SHALT SAY GOOD-BYE TO YOUR CHILD IN A LOVING MANNER - AND LEAVE

Some good-byes are not easy, but if you act calmly and confidently, your child will accept those feelings and settle easily after you have gone. If you keep returning for one more hug, you may transmit feelings of uncertainty and your child will respond accordingly

X. THOU SHALT RESPECT YOUR CAREGIVER'S PROFESSIONALISM

A caregiver who offers nurturing, safe, stimulating environment with well- planned activities is not "just a babysitter". She is contributing to the optimum development of your child and deserves to be treated with respect.

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Making Sense of Child Care Expense   By Bonnie Servais

The price of childcare can be very shocking, especially to first time parents.  Each provider runs her own business and as such can charge what she sees as reasonable.  But in general terms, there are a few explanations that may help to make sense as to why childcare costs what it does.

One consideration is the particular license class the provider holds.  Many parents do not realize that there are 7 different licenses in MN.  What a provider charges may be based on her license and the number of children she cares for in many instances.  For example, a provider that elects to take care of infants only can only have 3 infants; and as such charges much more for these infants than a provider that takes care of 12 children of all ages.  When an infant/toddler provider loses l of the 3 children she cares for, one third of her income is lost!  Parents have the decision to make whether they want more individualized care for their infants and toddlers, or if they feel comfortable having their child in a larger group setting with the provider taking care of more children and paying a little less money. With the specialized infant/toddler provider, these children will be moving on to another childcare when they are older.

There is a C3 license that allows a provider to care for 14 children, with an adult helper.  To enable the provider to pay for a helper, she must charge enough to make to cover her expenses and also pay her employee’s wage.

The expense of before and after school care can also be surprising for parents.  Many providers do not charge by the hour.  They charge by the spot.  If they have a Class A license (caring for a total of 10 with 4 being school aged) they may charge by the spot.  The provider has 10 spots per day.  Even though the school aged child may not be at her home long, they still take a spot that she cannot fill with another child.

The same holds true for part-time care.  If you do not need daycare 5 days a week and yet your schedule varies, the provider may charge you a full-time rate because you would then have the guarantee that a spot would be available no matter what days you work that week.  In the case of people requesting part-time care and their working days are always the same, a provider can charge a part-time daily rate that is a little higher than the full time daily rate, but it is less than paying for a full time 5 day week.  The provider then has the option of taking another family on the opposite days.  Finding such a mix does not always come about, however, for the provider.  If she cannot find an opposite family, she is actually losing money taking a part time family rather than holding out for a full time family.  For this reason many providers may not be interested in taking part time families as they need income they can count on.

A provider may only figure that one third to one half of what she receives in payments from families is what she actually gets to keep as income.  The other half to two thirds goes to pay daycare liability insurance, food for children, paper products, higher utilities, our social security taxes, state and federal taxes, toys, preschool curriculum, holiday party supplies and gifts for birthdays and Christmas and the wear and tear expense of maintaining a home filled with beautiful children.

Is a provider worth the expense?  Of course she is!  After all, what is more important than your children?   A provider that is able to have a dependable income will be more successful and be in the childcare field for a longer period of time, thus increasing the quality your child receives.

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TYPES OF LICENSES AVAILABLE (taken from the Hennepin County Child Care Licensing web site)

The State offers seven different types of Family Child Care Licenses. Providers choose the type of license they would like to operate under based on the number and ages of the children in their care (see chart below), the amount of usable space in their homes, and their own background.

There are two basic types of licenses:

· Family Child Care Licenses (the A License, B1 License, and B2 License)

· Group Family Child Care Licenses (C1, C2, C3, and D Licenses)

The Group Family Child Care Licenses allow Providers to care for larger groups of children. In most cases, Providers must have one or more years of experience as a Licensed Child Care Provider experience before they will be allowed to hold a Group Family Child Care License.

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