When you think of home daycares, what comes to mind? Perhaps you used to know a home daycare Provider who ran a daycare out of their refurbished basement out in the suburbs? Or maybe you remember a grandmotherly figure in the neighborhood who took care of a handful of local toddlers? Many parents today either attended such a daycare as a child or have a vague notion that they existed.
In 2020, the child care landscape has shifted. And home daycares are changing as well.
So what about a ten-year veteran of Montessori preschools who wanted to strike out on her own so she could connect more deeply with a smaller group of children and teach the curriculum of her dreams?
Or how about a young woman with a Master’s degree in marine biology who discovered that she really loves teaching young children to appreciate the natural world?
Or what about the awesome 1st-grade teacher who now has two kids of her own and has decided she’d rather stay home, raise her kids herself, and share her talents with a few very lucky neighbors?
Home daycares are ultimately about the Provider and the Provider’s connection with the children and parents in their daycare.
Providers make home daycares shine
The home daycares model puts relationships first, and allows the Provider to focus on the individual needs of each child in their daycare. Within the daycare, Providers design a program that matches their educational philosophy and leverages their experience and expertise; so a Provider with experience in elementary orchestra can include a musical component in her program, while just a few blocks away a Colombian woman can offer a play-based Spanish immersion program. This beautiful diversity of programs reflects the amazing array of backgrounds that Providers bring to their daycares.
Home daycares allow Providers to thrive
As a Provider, opening a licensed home daycare represents an opportunity to earn a livable income. By removing the expensive facilities and administrative staff of a typical large child care center, home daycare Providers can charge lower tuition and still make more money. This is critically important — as a society, we need to value and compensate the professionals who care for our children during the workday. We cannot afford to lose more Providers who have been leaving the field because they cannot make ends meet working in child care centers.
Home daycares are the future of child care
Today it’s clear that we need more high-quality child care options in our neighborhoods. Home daycares prioritize Providers and children over facilities and corporate profits. Children get all the socialization of preschool but with better ratios and greater continuity of care, parents connect directly with the Provider. Providers are empowered with a sustainable business. It’s a win-win-win, and at the end of the day, that’s what our neighborhoods need.
Want to learn more about home daycares? Contact us today.
