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Daycare or Day Home: Which is Right for Your Child? by stephanie foster T he memories of having my first child are truly priceless. The fear and anticipation of giving birth, and then watching him grow and change each day. Like many, I was a working mother when I had my first child, and although I enjoyed my maternity leave, I was soon faced with a decision: where to send him for childcare. It is hard to believe, but my first foray into researching daycare was seven years ago. Having had two more children, I have considered my options several times since. With the recession, many families find that having one parent at home makes sense. But in an area where large numbers of households require two incomes, choosing proper childcare is necessary. You may be looking into daycare because you have a new baby, a family member is returning to work, or you are shopping around for something new. Whatever your situation, choosing daycare is difficult. Continue reading to learn more about two types, traditional and in-home. ���Traditional��� Daycare Centers What is a ���traditional��� daycare center really? In the most basic sense, traditional daycares are commercial childcare facilities not run out of a person���s home. There is, of course, more to them than this. Here is a breakdown of some features of these types of facilities: MUST Adhere to Virginia Licensing Requirements. Traditional daycare centers have to follow the guidelines laid out on the Department of Social Services (DSS) web site. These guidelines govern such things as teacher-to-student ratio, nutrition, progress reports and more. Emphasis on Early Childhood Education. All ages, including infants, are placed in programs appropriate for their level of development. Programs may vary center to center. According to Terrie Green, Assistant Director at Minnieland Academy at Central Park, studies show that children coming from an educational background develop more social skills and work better in a multicultural atmosphere. Security. Traditional daycare centers should have security policies and check-in/check-out procedures. Methods used include keypads, sign-in/sign-out sheets and security cameras. Larger Staff. Larger centers can accommodate more kids. Larger staff also means more consistent supervision and no caregiver sick days. However, children must get used to a variety of people and if the staff works in shifts, children may see someone different every day. Average Cost is Higher. Average cost in our area for one, fulltime child ranges from $560-$1000 per month. For some families, this may not be feasible. 18 Fredericksburg Parent and Family ��� January 2013