Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Family Day Care Has Advantages

A family day care home is an arrangement for the care of a child in the home of another family.

Many parents prefer a family day care home setting because the home shares their family values.

There are several positive features in choosing a family day care home, said Traci Johnston, Child Care Specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. Children may receive more individual attention and the atmosphere is more like a home environment, which can be comforting to children.

Children will have one consistent provider, and all of the children in the family may be able to attend the same family day care home. Parents may find a family day care home conveniently located close to the workplace or home, and it may have flexible hours to meet parents' work schedules. Cost may be competitive with a child care center.

When you begin your search, look for a licensed family day care home to ensure minimum standards for the care and protection of children.

A licensing specialist will evaluate the home for health and safety, adult-child ratio, provider training, equipment, nutrition, and behavior and guidance. All licensed family day care home providers must have training in child care every year.

Parents can begin their search for a family day care home by calling the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education for a list of homes in their area.

Call several family day care homes and ask them questions about the provider's experience in child care. Call in the evening so they will have more time to talk.

After the phone interview, visit the home during the day when children are present. Look for cleanliness and safety, as well as a warm, loving, and healthy environment for the child.

Parents should look for a home where the child can learn to develop good social skills. The child should develop a healthy attitude toward self and others by learning to trust others and feel safe; express feelings and feel understood; get along with others; and feel independent, successful and capable.

Look for signs of appropriate practices when visiting the family day care home.

Are the children playing happily? Do the rooms seem comfortable or crowded? Are equipment and toys provided for the children? Does the schedule include daily planned activities, free play, rest and outdoor time? Does the provider use simple, positive directions? Does the provider speak in a friendly manner to the children at their eye level? Does the provider show a sense of humor, smile and seem to enjoy being with the children?

After looking at several family day care homes, parents should base their decision on what is best for their child.

Make sure the home will provide the child with a safe, secure, loving environment where they can grow and develop. Make a decision both you and your child feel good about.

More information on child care is available at the Clark County Extension office, 501 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or you may call 246-2281.