Denver Association of Family Child Care

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Considerations in Finding Care

There are many considerations when searching for care. Here are some of the things you will need to consider before making your child care decision.

Timing: When to Start Looking

Family Child Care Homes

Most family child care providers do not keep waiting lists. Family child care providers fill their openings as they occur. If possible, start looking for a family child care home at least 4 to 6 months before you need care. For infants, you may need to begin your search even earlier. Family child care providers generally welcome visits from prospective families.

Questions to Consider:

When do you anticipate needing care?
Will the provider keep in touch with you as openings occur? 
Are you willing to call family child care providers on a regular basis to check on the availability of a space for your child?

How Long Can It Take

Allow plenty of time to find the care you need. Factors affecting availability of care include:

Location of care (e.g., close to home or work)
Schedule you need (part-day or full- day, number of days per week)
Number and ages of children for whom you need care
Your family budget
Time of year when you are seeking care
How flexible you are (in all areas)
Special needs such as transportation

Questions to Consider:

What are your priorities in choosing child care? 
Are there certain things that you can or cannot be flexible about?
Do you have a back-up child care arrangement to use until a slot opens up?
Are there any new family child care homes opening in your area?
Have there been any recent recruitment activities for providers in your area?

Cost of Child Care

Child care costs are a major expense for most families. Quality care for infants and toddlers is particularly expensive because group sizes must be small. Surprisingly, although costs are high, many times child care providers are not earning much more than minimum wage. Reasons why child care can be so expensive include the following:

High ratios of adults to children in programs for infants and toddlers
Qualifications of the provider
Geographic location
Insurance costs
Appropriate equipment
Nutritious food
Type of program
Costs of space (rent, utilities, etc.)

Generally speaking, hiring an in-home caregiver tends to be the most expensive form of care, followed by child care centers and family child care homes. Cost of school age programs and camps varies according to the type of program.

 

 

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Last modified: February 01, 2002
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