https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 00:51:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2036824 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:17:07 +0000 Kemma 2036824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: my SIL had her little guy with an in-home carer until he was roughly two then moved him into a centre. She loved the personal level of care he got as an infant / small toddler but felt that he needed more stimulation and curriculum / structure once he got that bit older.</p> <p>Other than that, I have nothing to add :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2036788 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:50:29 +0000 smores 2036788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use an in-home licensed daycare. She watches 12 kids (but they are not all full-time) and has three assistants. I like that she is flexible like "just a mom" (we can text her when we're running late, she won't charge us for my summer break when he won't be going) but she is organized and has the schedule and routines like a center. She also has a curriculum and so if we didn't want to enroll him in preschool, he would get that at daycare. </p> <p>She has been doing this for a long time and this is her career and she takes a lot of pride in it which I also appreciate. As long as we don't move, our son will be there until he's school age which I like too because that provides stability for him. This isn't just a side job that she'll walk away from and then we'll be scrambling looking for other care. </p> <p>We found her via word of mouth but that was after an exhaustive search. I looked at Care,com, Craigslist, a state list of licensed centers and in-home providers and googled a ton of places. We interviewed a ton of places and called a lot of references. I feel so comfortable and happy with our choice and I think that's the most important part!</p> <p>Good luck with whatever you choose! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2036050 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:36:15 +0000 Littlebit 2036050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: I walled you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035968 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:07:49 +0000 littlejoy 2035968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: Thank you for that perspective. All very good and valid points. </p> <p>I question "just another mom" only because without a license, what fallback do I have in case of a major issue? I mean, my brain goes there. Is there any liability? </p> <p>BUT, then I think about myself and my close friends, and see that most mamas are amazing ... and, why not take my kid to a small in-home daycare with another mom who will love her, treat her with respect, and foster her growth? </p> <p>To anyone who would consider an unlicensed care provider, do you have a contract? Or a set of written guidelines? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035947 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:03:24 +0000 Corduroy 2035947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't be opposed to using "just another mom" for care. I may do that for LO2 to cover between maternity leave and when he is old enough for daycare. My concerns would be the caregiver favoring her kid over mine and backup care when she or LO was sick or unavailable. Also, I would probably be less likely to speak up to another mom about a conflict because I would feel that she would take it bad as a parent. But that's my issue. </p> <p>We're at a larger in home licensed daycare now but I was previously at a small in home. I was uncomfortable with the amount I didn't know about what was going on. The husband, her teenage sons and people I didn't know spent lots of time with the kids. I couldn't see past the entry way into her house at pick up and drop off. I found that I much prefer a location where I could see the environment at pickup and drop off. They also transported LO without talking to me about it first. I had signed a paper in her file approving the woman to do this in certain situations with approval. However, I did not see the situation she described as urgent and I was not pleased that when I went to the house at pickup time her teenage son was alone with two toddlers and my daughter wasn't there. I have no idea how often she did that during the day because I knew so little about what was going on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035816 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:17:06 +0000 marionberry 2035816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe I'm overly trusting, but I live in a small community. We followed a local FB group where people would ask about childcare. I noticed that when another mom was looking for care, a fellow co-worker listed someone. I spoke with this co-worker (who I really enjoy) and found out that this person was her niece, and was taking in kids to be able to stay home with her own kids. I scheduled a time to bring my son over and see her house and get to know her kids (this is the same process we did with our prior provider) and I felt really comfortable with her and her home. I never did a background check or asked all that many questions.</p> <p>My son has now been there for about 8 months and absolutely loves it! He gets to play with a number of kids ranging from 2 years (he's 16 months now) to 5 years and she treats him like one of her own. They don't have a curriculum they follow but my goal was for daycare to be his place for interaction. I spend my time teaching him a lot at home and feel comfortable with this until he's at a pre-school age. Best of luck in finding the right care for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035701 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 13:35:48 +0000 littlejoy 2035701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyG: Thanks! I think we are a less less concerned about curriculum, and just more concerned with engagement. She's 12 months. As she creeps closer to 2.5 or 3, I think we'd look into a preschool. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035401 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:33:09 +0000 JennyG 2035401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: We found ours through a friend of a friend. She's great! The biggest comfort to me is that he's spending his day with someone who really loves him like I would. He's not being shuffled between different people everyday depending on the schedule. There are other little ones to play with and he's learning the social skills he needs. </p> <p>My one area of concern is that since it isn't a center, there isn't a set curriculum as he gets older. (Only 18 months right now). I know they read books and lots of learning is going on, but I wonder which is better for the future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035394 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:30:38 +0000 LuLu Mom 2035394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: We found an in home through word of mouth (My BFF daughter went there) and she was the only one I interviewed because I had seen them interact and she had all my "must haves." However, if it was a different case, I would for sure go to my state's website and look for a licensed one. That is important to me (licensed in my area, also means CPR/First Aid certified.) I would ask around to as many people as possible and find out what is most important to you. For me, I focused less on education aspect (knowing I would be sending LO to preschool eventually) and more on the comfort, "homey" feeling. I wanted my daughter to feel at home, and she does. I do have my complaints, it's not perfect, however my DD LOVES it there, and I can't imagine ever pulling her out. Our lady is like family to us, I can call her to vent or ask advice how she handles certain situations or ask a question and she send me funny texts, ect. We have a very personal relationship. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035382 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:24:30 +0000 littlejoy 2035382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wheres_c: Our neighbor pays $3,700 for two kids FT!!! In fairness, it's a daycare/preschool connected to an organic farm where each child has their own little garden the family takes care of. Only in Portland!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035379 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:22:51 +0000 wheres_c 2035379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: Crazy!!!<br /> I think our center charges $500 for 3day a week. We pay $800 for FT.<br /> Our LO has severe food allergies and we love how they've handled it. They are used to kids with allergies.<br /> But I hear you, if it's too expensive in your town.</p> <p>I agree that gut feeling is important regardless of the type of childcare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035375 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:21:16 +0000 littlejoy 2035375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Thanks! And yes, even though we'd be willing to consider "just a mom", it would have to be someone who understands cold development, has an arsenal of enrichment activities and age appropriate stimuli, has a safe home, and it totally trained in CPR with an understanding of first aid. This baby is my top priority in life, so this would likely be the biggest decision I've had to make so far. A huge deal! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035359 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:12:14 +0000 youboots 2035359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Check out PRO. My Mom sat on the board when she did in home daycare. <a href="http://www.providerresource.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.providerresource.org</a></p> <p>IMO a Mom wanting to make some cash on the side (babysitter) and a true in home daycare are completely different. </p> <p>I'm texting you daycares withing 2 miles of you that are PRO affiliated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035356 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:11:11 +0000 blackbird 2035356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: So it depends on the state. </p> <p>In our state, you can have an unlicensed daycare and watch up to 4 kids, NOT including your own (T's kids are grown. Otherwise, 3 of your own plus 4 of another wouldn't fly with me). You don't have the state licensing people checking out your place. So...you have to be ok with the lack of oversight. For T, i totally, wholly am. Illegal would be if she had 10 kids there, basically. She also claims her income and runs as a business. She just doesn't pay a huge fee to be licensed (which would drive her cost up) and doesn't have the government poking around her house all the time, doing inspections. I've been into the daycare area so many times, I have no concerns, personally :) But it *is* a big leap of faith. Some people can't make that and some people need more checks and balances in place. My mom is always telling me to check E for bruises, for example (no need, she's always half naked at home anyways, LOL). But it's just one of those situations where we were fully prepared to send her to a center, toured T's place, and loved it and went with it.</p> <p>The nice thing about in homes is how terribly accommodating they are. No nap schedule? Totally fine, E goes down whenever she goes down. She needs to eat X? No problem, T will give it to her. She needs advil or tylenol? No problem, T calls me and I give the OK for it to be given. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035349 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:07:27 +0000 littlejoy 2035349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wheres_c: Centers in our town are insane!!!! Like $1,000 a month for 3 days. We can't afford it. Our LO also has some dietary restrictions, and finding a place with more kids increases the chance of a) them not accommodating and b) her getting exposed accidentally. Otherwise, I'd be all for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035342 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:05:23 +0000 littlejoy 2035342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: Can you talk to me more about unlicensed vs. illegal? My first thought was that most of these moms just want to take care of an extra kid or two, but likely aren't licensed. I wasn't sure if that was a red flag. I would love to trust my gut! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035340 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:05:12 +0000 cascademom 2035340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We loved our in home daycare. If we're still in the neighborhood, we'll send him there. Ask about the continuing education of the owner and staff. CPR, licensed, follows state standards, etc. We met ours when our LO was almost 10 weeks old. Education and experience were the selling points for us.</p> <p>ETA: a sign of good in home daycare is being able to visit at a moment's notice and having the place up to everyday standards, not made nice for a visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035336 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:04:23 +0000 Eminthevalley 2035336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In California, there is a database listing licensed places and all violations they've gotten on visits...that said, the place I chose has violations, but I don't consider them to be really bad, whereas I visited a place with no violations that set off all kinds of alarm bells in my head! On visits, I looked at the kitchens and tested cupboards for childproof locks. I'm sorry, but I can't keep my twins out of everything, so I don't know how one person can possibly keep an eye on 6 kids! The place we go is a "large" in-home care that has 14 kids, three teachers and acts more like a daycare center. They have actual curriculum. Most in-home cares I visited didn't seem very enriching. So you have to visit different size places and just see how you feel. Go to a daycare center, go to a small in home care, a large one, etc. I think gut feeling goes a lot further than most of the questions on any list (mine included)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035329 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:00:13 +0000 blackbird 2035329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We really like our in home daycare. I found her through word of mouth. There are 4 children, tops (legal requirement) all under the age of 3. We found her through word of mouth. She is unlicensed (but not illegal, there is a difference). Her husband is an ER nurse and helps out sometimes. We like her, love her home and the area the kids play in, and are very happy with our decision. I went with my gut more than anything. It just *felt right* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035323 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:56:40 +0000 wheres_c 2035323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know you mentioned in home, but have you considered a day care center?<br /> My LO is at a center because of all the questions you pose above are answered! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-everything-about-finding-an-in-home-daycare#post-2035291 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:40:53 +0000 littlejoy 2035291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've been talking a lot about our nanny lately, and we keep coming back to the same question: is this situation enriching enough for our LO? </p> <p>We are considering finding a local care provider (preferably within walking distance), where our babe will have exposure to a few other kids. </p> <p>I have no idea where to start. I did peek on CL last night, and I found some really appealing ads. A lot of moms wanting to supplement income and socialize their children ... I'm not against that at all. We live in a very kid-centric community, and I want someone with a big, loving heart to care for my LO. </p> <p>I know there are so many aspects to consider, but what pops into your head first? My brain has been all over the place: will I let her ride in the car? Is this person CPR certified? Does this person need to have care certifications? Is there lead in the home? Can 1 mom really care for 3 young kids? Do I have to do a background check? Will LO get sick more often? Mama brain is in crazy mode!!! Any success stories and advice on things to ask or red flags would be so appreciated! </p>