How to Find a Good Home Based Daycare

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By PearlsWisdom
User-Submitted Article

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(6 Ratings)

Daycare centers advertise, but where do you find a good home based daycare?

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

If you prefer the family-like atmosphere of home based daycare but don't know where to look, here are a few ideas that have worked successfully.
Step 2

The best way to find home based daycare is to network: let people know that you're looking for daycare. Prepare a few sentences that briefly summarize your needs: age of your child, general location desired, when you'd like to start, and approximate hours needed. Your summary might sound something like, "I'm going to need daycare for my 4-month-old baby next month. I'll be going back to work full time. Do you know anyone who watches children out of their home? Would you mind giving me their number? or Can you keep your ears open and give me a call if you hear of anyone? Here's my number."
Step 3

Next, start getting the word out. Your prepared summary (above) is especially helpful if you are not comfortable around people you don't know well. You won't be fumbling for words! Some suggested people to ask: neighbors; parents of your other children's friends (if you don't have other children, introduce yourself to parents of neighborhood children); fellow church members; local workers in stores you frequent. Your goal is to get several leads.
Step 4

Once you get some names, then do thorough research and interviewing as you would for a commercial daycare.
Step 5

A success story: a woman I know was looking for daycare and found out her neighbor provided home based daycare. The neighbor didn't have any openings, but gave her the name of another woman she knew who ran a daycare. Her little girl has been going there for 3 years now.