Discussions

Does anyone know how many kids are allowed in a private home daycare? Is there any other rules about posting activities or meals? We will be looking for daycare for my child soon and I don't know whether we should look at private daycares or licensed ones. I want to make sure that my child has individual attention but I also want to know about how her day goes.

private unlicensed daycares are allowed 4 children in total at any one time. This i:ncludes their own children.  
 
I do not believe there any rules about posting meals or activity schedules.  
 
You will need to inquire with the owners as to their rules and routines and meals.

Private daycares are allowed 4 children in total. Including their own children. So if they have 1 child, they can take 3 children into their care. They can also only take up to 2 children under the age of 2 at a time. If you're looking for a private daycare, make sure they have a criminal record check, child abuse registry check and an up to date first aid certificate ready to view and references. Read carefully through their policies, make sure they distribute receipts, and ask them about other people living in their home, smoking/non-smoking etc. There are many great private childcare providers through out Brandon. You have to carefully weed through the people who genuinely enjoy children and the ones who are just looking for a pay check. When you start entering the world of child care, it can be a confusing place. Unfortunately for many parents, they take what they can get because they don't have much choice. Private daycare can be expensive too, ($600-$700) a month. Licensed daycare is much more affordable especially if you qualify for subsidy, but wait lists are long, and they are harder to get into. Private and licensed daycares both have their pro's and con's. At a private daycare, your child may have more opportunity to have more one on one time with their caregiver, where as at a centre, ratio's are higher 1:8. My son has been in two licensed centres. One I didn't like at all, and now he's in one that I love.

Private daycare providers have generally no rules, besides the ones they make for themselves. These rules and policies should be stated in the contract you sign before your child starts. They don't have to tell you what your child eats or does through out the day, but a good child care provider will. I've seen many private home daycares with their own Facebook pages so the parents can see what their child is doing that day.

Is it always just 4 children or do after school kids count as extra?  
I think that it would be good to know what there eating and doing during the day. Hopefully the private ones tell you or post it online or on the wall, especially if they cost more money than the licensed ones. And a Facebook page updated every day to show what the children are playing at.  
Is there anything else that I should look for?

I'm a private home daycare provider. The only 2 rules that we have to follow are ratios (total of 4, no more than 2 under 2 years) and we must claim all income and provide receipts. The ratio is at all times, school aged children definitely count in our numbers. Children older than 12 are exempt though.  
 
Personally, I have a Facebook page where I try to update as much as possible about our activities and menu for the day. Some prefer just to verbally discuss this with parents but I find the Fb page works well as sometimes pickups are quick or alternate pickups pick up. This way both parents (and as a bonus, extended family) can see how the day went.  
 
Things a parent should look for:  
 
- safe, clean home (fire extinguisher, smoke/co2 alarms, locked cupboards, covered plug ins, etc)  
 
- child abuse, criminal record cheque (but remember, these are ONLY good if the person has been convicted, so trust your gut!!), first aid  
 
- ask for references and actually call them  
 
- ask what a typical daily menu would look like (fruits and veggies offered with each meal/snack, limited "junk" and processed food etc)  
 
- ask about schedules and activities (is there times you can't drop off/pick up, do they do outings, free play, structured play, sensory play,outdoor play etc)  
 
- read the contract in full and carefully!!! Ask for explanation if you need. Only sign on with a provider if you agree and can adhere to his/her policies  
 
- ask about his/her holidays and sick days, Childs sick and holiday days...when are you expected to pay etc  
 
There are pros and cons to homes vs centres and they will be different for everyone dependant on their situation but the main con of a home is if you or your spouse don't have a flexible job, then centres might be a better option. Home providers are the only employee so if he/she needs to take time off for whatever reason, you will need to find alternate care whereas in a centre, pretty much the only time you need to worry about this is if your child is sick.  
 
Homes do tend to be more money but you are paying for different care IMO. The small, intimate group setting is fantastic and for some children they need this vs being a number in a large centre. Home providers and their clients become like family and IME, the bonds are tighter (I've worked in centres so basing my comparisons on that). However, keep in mind that most homes are multi-age care so if your child does better with kids all the same age then a centre may be a better fit  
 
Good luck!!

Holidays are something I did not think about yet. I have a desk job and would not want to have to use all of my holidays on the days that the daycare is closed. But I also want my girl to have lots of attention. It is a tough decision.

Yes, it can be a tough decision for sure! I have some families who take holidays the same time as me and I have others who are able to have family members watch their child when I'm off which allows them to take their holidays when they want/need too. I typically only take 2 weeks off in the summer but many families get anywhere from 2-6 weeks so for most, they still have a bit of time they can choose.  
 
I'd make a list of things that are important to you and than decide whether a home or centre can meet that need better. The one that can meet the most needs would be the obvious choice.  
 
I know some families choose homes because it's easier to get into one but keep their name on centres waiting list. I completely understand this, as I think most home providers do, so I'd suggest letting the home provider know so that it's not a total shock if you get the call and want to change daycares

You could always work out backup care with another daycare for holidays. I have children during the summer, that come when their daycare is closed. Since my daycare children are usually gone most of the summer, it works out really well.

My daughter is in a private daycare. I love it and so does my daughter. Our daycare provider is amazing. She sends us pics by snap chat or text. I feel safer knowing she's there than at a Centre