Family Day Care

[kel87]

Hopefully some of you lovely ladies can help me out.

I am considering putting my son in to Family Day Care when/if I return to work. He will be at the youngest 8 months old, and it would be hopefully for a max of 3 days a week

I've found a few family day care homes and want to call them up and possibly go and suss them out, but I have no idea what I should be asking or what to expect?

If you were looking to put your children in to Family Day Care - what would be asking the provider? and if i go to the house, are there things I should look out for?

And any positive experiences with FDC would be great :yes:

Thanks In Advance :)

[MsMummy]

My son's been in FDC for 2 days a week since he was 3 months old (he's recently turned 1).

I think the most important thing is to find out what the parenting philosophy of the carer is.

For example, what are their opinions on:
- routine
- controlled crying
- disclipline
- eating
- breastfeeding (if you are sending express milk)
- attentiveness to children's needs, eg. picking up when crying
- television

I find you develop quite a personal relationship with the carer and they impose a lot of their own values, so you need to be comfortable with what they are.

I would also go for an hour or so during the day and watch the carer with the other children.

Look around the house, and the backyard. You'll quickly know if you're comfortable with the environment.

also ask the carer how many holidays they take a year, as that will obviously inconvenience you. Mine tends to take four weeks but over 4 x 1 week blocks during school holidays to minimise disruption.

Finally, I think it's really important to like the carer personally.

[Seekrit]

You need to go with gut whenever you're looking for any daycare - family or not.

I have my son in FDC which he's been in for the last year (DCC before that) and I love my daycare mum. She's not a carer anymore, she's a friend.
I'll be honest, I don't know if she does everything 'by the book' but I think that's why FDC is all about - leaving your child with someone who is more of a friend than a sterile carer. We talk a lot about the way we each deal with things, bring up our kids etc.

When interviewing her, I felt comfortable in her presense and looking at the kids she cared for - also how she interacted with her own, older boys.. and how polite and kind her own children were - that was the main thing :)

I really think gut is the biggest thing.

[kel87]

thanks girls ... thats what i was thinking just going with my gut and hopefully (if i get a chance to have a choice) i will pick someone who believes and raises their kids similar to me

:)

[FionaV]

It is true that your family day carer will become a friend more than a carer. My oldest son was in FDC from 10 months until school age. He will still call in and have a chat with his carer from time to time, and he's rising 20. They really did become a second family.