Offers convenience, with no transportation logistics, and focused, individually tailored care. The child is in a familiar environment, and ideally the caregiver becomes like family. Parents often believe they have more control over the kind of care their children receive, and can negotiate flexibility of care as needed. There may be no backup when the caregiver is ill or on vacation, however, and there can be less social interaction with peers. There can be flexibility of hours with some providers, and a mix of ages can foster sibling-like relationships and a range of fluid programming.
Siblings can stay together.
Parents enjoy keeping their children in a home-like environment and believe they are healthier, happier and more secure in smaller groups. Sometimes they choose family child care because it is closer to home, less expensive or more flexible. There usually is a designated area in the house where there can be organized activities and age groupings. Children likely will have several others their same age but still be with siblings. There can be a blend of flexibility and structure, as needed, with parents still seeing the advantages noted in family child care.