McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 2002.1

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Characteristics:

• Caregiver, usually a mother, looks after one to six children in her own home.
• Caregiver may be a friend, neighbor, relative, or someone unfamiliar.

Advantages:

• Provides home-like environment (especially important for infants and toddlers).
• Greater flexibility regarding ages than most centers (may take infants and toddlers).
• MAY be licensed by the state, ensuring minimum health and safety standards.
• May be easier to locate than in-home care.
• Your child will likely interact with other children.
• Relatively inexpensive arrangement.
• Siblings may be cared for together.
• Your child should receive ample attention.
• Greater flexibility regarding hours than most centers.

Disadvantages:

• You have less control over your child's care than in-home arrangement.
• Your child may not receive as much personal attention as in-home care.
• Caregiver will not always be available (illness, vacation).
• May stop providing services abruptly.
• Caregiver may not have appropriate training or experience.
• May not offer the array of opportunities provided by center-based care.
• Caregiver is not supervised directly.

Additional considerations:

• The caregiver should take care of no more than three infants at the same time.
• Licensing does not relate to the educational, social, or emotional dimensions of the care.