Family daycare?

[LoveKnowsNoBounds]

I've never used this type of care before. I feel nervous about it because its one carer instead of being in a centre with lots of people around. Though saying that my DD wouldn't cope very well in that environment. Have you used family daycare and did you like it? Thanks

[nothing2lose]

It really depends on the carer. My ex-stepsons had two woeful carers, one of whom left a baby home alone asleep while shopping My DD, on the other hand, had a brilliant at home carer. She did so much with the kids - library, book club, craft, playgrounds, playgroups, movie outings.... I couldn't recommend her highly enough.

I think it pays to do your homework.

[Catastrophic]

I use it... I love it. But I don't think I would be comfortable with just anyone - the girl I have I knew the person before as she worked at a centre. I love the family environment it does have some cons and pros!

[Mildez]

My DD started a month ago. So far things are going great. I tossed up between FDC and a long daycare and am happy with my decision. I am lucky to find a very experienced carer who did many years in long daycare before starting in FDC. She is very structured and well set up and has a seperate place to her home (2 story house, upstairs she lives, down stairs is the FDC) She comes down at 8am and stays down stairs in like a mini daycare and goes up stairs of an evening when the kids go home.

My main thing was my concerns about the germs in long daycare. My reasoning was I'd prefer DD exposed to 5 children instead of 50. Surely 5 kids have less germs then 50 IYKWIM. I did have some concerns about not having more people around and what a FDC may do to the children in their home. I am sure we have all heard horror stories and if I am completely honest DD is extremely difficult (she pinches and turns blue regularly until she passes out when she has a temper tantrum) I was also worried as her carer who has a very good reputation has a DD the same age as mine and they classed heads immediately. DD's carer has now put her own DD in FDC with another carer. She said she needed a break and also its cheaper for her to pay another carer and have an extra child herself.

At the moment my biggest concern is if FDC has a day of I may be stuck for child care and DD's carer is also planning on having another babyherself. She is a wonderful mother and I'm very excited for her but when the time comes I will have to find another carer which may be a problem. DD has only just got use to the idea of staying without me and I am nervous about having to change her. But her carer is also not pregnant yet (that I know of) so I could have a few years left for all I know.