what is a quality family childcare prog?

[Oneluckymom]

I was wondering what defines a "quality" childcare program and how to create one for my own childcare program. Also, how do you end up getting to a point where you really don't have to advertise and the parents do it for you, LOL.

[Meeko]

I honestly feel this one doesn't have one answer. There are so many different ways to have a wonderful day care. Some parents will swear you are the best ever. Some will not like what you offer.

You need to find YOUR niche. Set up the way YOU feel comfortable and don't let anyone tell you what's right or wrong, as there isn't really one.

As long as you are meeting the needs of the children and following your state's guidelines...the rest is up to you.

That may not help you at all!!! But it's how I feel.

Read this forum, read books, ask your CCRR etc. Take what sounds good and discard the rest and implement what feels good into your program.

I have been at this for many, many years. Many of my day care kids have kids of their own now. I learned as I went. Some things worked. Some things were a dismal failure. Chalk it all up to experience.

[Oneluckymom]

I honestly feel this one doesn't have one answer. There are so many different ways to have a wonderful day care. Some parents will swear you are the best ever. Some will not like what you offer.

You need to find YOUR niche. Set up the way YOU feel comfortable and don't let anyone tell you what's right or wrong, as there isn't really one.

As long as you are meeting the needs of the children and following your state's guidelines...the rest is up to you.

That may not help you at all!!! But it's how I feel.

Read this forum, read books, ask your CCRR etc. Take what sounds good and discard the rest and implement what feels good into your program.

I have been at this for many, many years. Many of my day care kids have kids of their own now. I learned as I went. Some things worked. Some things were a dismal failure. Chalk it all up to experience.

Thank you so much....I realize a lot of it is experience. Personally, what have you found works best for you? I'm going to be setting up in my "basement" and was wondering if I should even come up stairs at all for meals/snacks...or should I just serve food down there. Is it worth it to put a micro/refridge in the basement?

[rjskids]

Thank you so much....I realize a lot of it is experience. Personally, what have you found works best for you? I'm going to be setting up in my "basement" and was wondering if I should even come up stairs at all for meals/snacks...or should I just serve food down there. Is it worth it to put a micro/refridge in the basement?

I am also set up in the basement and when I started I planned on having meals in my kitchen...but I got sooooo tired of carting the kids up and down the stairs. But it takes some planning to serve downstairs and I'm still trying to figure that out! haha. I do have a fridge and microwave downstairs. I serve breakfast upstairs because when my DD goes to school I am going to need to be upstairs to help her get ready for school (also I realized it is a looooong day in the basement all day). And while they are eating breakfast I prepare my lunch. I have a plastic container that I "pack" everything in I will need. And since I only have a tiny bathroom sink down there I use that container to pile dishes in to carry up at the end of the day. I'm actually considering a downstairs dishwasher sometime in the future.

[Meeko]

Thank you so much....I realize a lot of it is experience. Personally, what have you found works best for you? I'm going to be setting up in my "basement" and was wondering if I should even come up stairs at all for meals/snacks...or should I just serve food down there. Is it worth it to put a micro/refridge in the basement?

I am all for separating day care and home as much as possible. That way you don't feel like you are living at work or working at home ALL the time! That way, there is less for a licensor to inspect and you can contain kids and their parents in certain areas. Just make sure your basement has exits that meet fire codes.

Maybe install a microwave, fridge etc downstairs to start and add a stove later if you can?

[Oneluckymom]

I am all for separating day care and home as much as possible. That way you don't feel like you are living at work or working at home ALL the time! That way, there is less for a licensor to inspect and you can contain kids and their parents in certain areas. Just make sure your basement has exits that meet fire codes.

Maybe install a microwave, fridge etc downstairs to start and add a stove later if you can?

I feel the same way. Actually, in the process of cleaning up down there now. I will talk to DH about the fridge and micro idea.

[Oneluckymom]

I am also set up in the basement and when I started I planned on having meals in my kitchen...but I got sooooo tired of carting the kids up and down the stairs. But it takes some planning to serve downstairs and I'm still trying to figure that out! haha. I do have a fridge and microwave downstairs. I serve breakfast upstairs because when my DD goes to school I am going to need to be upstairs to help her get ready for school (also I realized it is a looooong day in the basement all day). And while they are eating breakfast I prepare my lunch. I have a plastic container that I "pack" everything in I will need. And since I only have a tiny bathroom sink down there I use that container to pile dishes in to carry up at the end of the day. I'm actually considering a downstairs dishwasher sometime in the future.

Love that idea!! My son will be getting ready for school in the morning too...this may work well for me. Love the dishwasher idea.

[AmandasFCC]

Thank you so much....I realize a lot of it is experience. Personally, what have you found works best for you? I'm going to be setting up in my "basement" and was wondering if I should even come up stairs at all for meals/snacks...or should I just serve food down there. Is it worth it to put a micro/refridge in the basement?

Where I am we have to serve meals in a kitchen as a family child care. The children have to have access to more of the house than just a playroom. They need a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and living space . I haven't had an issue bringing them up the stairs to my kitchen to eat at all, though I'm in Canada and don't ever have children under 12 months of age. Frankly I like it better this way too ... My basement (playroom) is fully carpetted and my kids are all messy eaters. I'd hate to have to be down there vacuuming constantly.

As for original question, I agree with PP, there is really no one way to answer that. I think the very basic answer would be that the children are happy, well cared for, and entertained in a quality child care setting .

[Cat Herder]

Here, a "Quality Childcare Program" means Accreditation through a National or State Childcare Rating Agency. It is a code/buzz word advertising for a star rating system.

Check out the CDA, NAFCC or NAEYC website. It will explain more.

I am currently doing it against my will to stay in business. It becomes mandatory next year.

Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE attending classes and learning new things (I am weird like that). This coursework is monotonous, expensive, so far has very little new information and I CAN NOT CHARGE MORE for having it...

My clients could care less if I have this Accreditation and expect me to stay at the going rate for my region, regardless.

Many States are making it mandatory, though. Check your regs.

[JaydensMommy]

I just opened my own home daycare 2 months ago. I am just about full except for 1 after school spot that I'm not too interested in filling. I was surprised at how quickly I filled up and I still continue to get calls and have to turn people away and my waiting list is already growing. I think parents like my daycare first of all it starts with the first impression which is my website. A lot of parents tell me they loved my website. Second would be my home and neighborhood. And then when they come by people are surprised that my living room is completely converted to my daycare as well as my office room that is attached. I also do a curriculum with the older kids and my home is CLEAN and not cluttered and very kid friendly!!

[nannyde]

Here, a "Quality Childcare Program" means Accreditation through a National or State Childcare Rating Agency. It is a code/buzz word thing for a star rating system.

Check out the CDA, NAFCC or NAEYC website. It will explain more.

I am currently doing it against my will to stay in business.

Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE attending classes and learning new things (I am weird like that). This coursework is monotonous, expensive, so far has very little new information and I CAN NOT CHARGE MORE for having it...

My clients could care less if I have this Accreditation and expect me to stay at the going rate for my region, regardless.

Many States are making it mandatory, though. Check your regs.

Pretty sad when the only cha ching is the cha ching the ones who educate get instead of the ones who DO get.

[Cat Herder]

Pretty sad when the only cha ching is the cha ching the ones who educate get instead of the ones who DO get.

My understanding is that the over-all goal is to have every State on the same sheet of music so to speak and have the ratings be the "Parents Guide" to Childcare...

At least that is what the last module I completed tonight said. There was a blurb or two about promoting industry to an area with "better" options for childcare as well and how it benefits the entire community as a whole.

I am sure Crystal can explain it better, she knows this stuff backwards and forwards. I am a bit overwhelmed by it right now. I don't want to hijack, though... I am the worlds worst at that, and am trying to get better.

OP, IMHO It definately is worth it to check your States intentions with the Ratings Systems before you invest in the wrong equipment/curriculum/books, etc. After over 17 years in business, with good references and safety inspections, I am having to replace equipment and alter the physical structures of my home at an alarming rate...

[Oneluckymom]

My understanding is that the over-all goal is to have every State on the same sheet of music so to speak and have the ratings be the "Parents Guide" to Childcare...

At least that is what the last module I completed said. There was a blurb or two about promoting industry to an area with "better" options for childcare as well and how it benefits the entire community as a whole.

I am sure Crystal can explain it better, she knows this stuff backwards and forwards. I am a bit overwhelmed by it right now. I don't want to hijack, though... I am the worlds worst at that, and am trying to get better.

OP, IMHO It definately is worth it to check your States intentions with the Ratings Systems before you invest in the wrong equipment/curriculum/books, etc. After over 17 years in business, with good references and safety inspections, I am having to replace equipment and alter the physical structures of my home at an alarming rate...

Wow...I would love to get accredited down the road, however, I would seriously look into the consequences and whether it would be worth it after reading this. "Alter the physical structures of your home"...Geez! Thanks for the info

[Oneluckymom]

Pretty sad when the only cha ching is the cha ching the ones who educate get instead of the ones who DO get.

So true Nannyde......you would think that after jumping through all the hoops to improve your child care program or impress the parents with accreditation we would be able to put some more change in our pockets!

[nannyde]

My understanding is that the over-all goal is to have every State on the same sheet of music so to speak and have the ratings be the "Parents Guide" to Childcare...

OP, IMHO It definately is worth it to check your States intentions with the Ratings Systems before you invest in the wrong equipment/curriculum/books, etc. After over 17 years in business, with good references and safety inspections, I am having to replace equipment and alter the physical structures of my home at an alarming rate...

Every state?

17 years of raising great kids, happy parents, and a perfect safety record and you have been doing it wrong all along. Hard to believe.