Yet the search for child care can be daunting. There are several varieties of care available in South Jersey to address all of those considerations. Family day care is provided in the home of another family. The advantages with this setting are that children of various ages may be cared for together, hours and days of care may be flexible and group size is usually small. Regulations for day care homes limit caretakers to no more than five of someone else's children and no more than eight children total in the home at any one time.
Fees vary widely for family day care, but it is relatively inexpensive.
To be registered with the state, the family day care provider must meet requirements outlined in the Manual of Standards for Family Day Care. Another option is an in-home caregiver, such as a nanny, an arrangement which allows children to remain in their own homes, usually with more flexible scheduling for parents. If you use an in-home caregiver, the Southern Regional Child Care Center recommends you ask for references and check them. Or contact an employment agency that specializes in child care workers. Area day care centers offer a variety of recreational and educational programs and serve various age groups.