Furthermore, child care providers without degrees or certificates can still be extremely qualified, and many center employees have little formal training also. Many family day cares simply cannot offer your child the educational opportunities and facilities that larger daycare centers usually provide - The truth is that family child care providers offer preschool programs, take children on educational field trips, and utilize local resources to teach children many skills. Some specialize in a specific age group, others have mixed-age groups that help each other learn. Also, few centers are able to bake cookies, run through the sprinkler on a hot day, or take a nature walk in the Fall. As with a day-care center, your child probably will be exposed to more germs and be sick more often than he would be if he received care in your home.
Smaller groups mean fewer children to expose others to contagious illness.
Many will continue to provide care even if they are slightly ill so that parents can save their own sick days for family illness. They also take children to doctor's appointments, etc. Children over the age of two will most appreciate interaction with other kids. Infants may also benefit greatly from family day care, if the setting is small enough so they get individual care. Children who need a little extra hugging and holding probably will thrive in family day care, because of its homey, cozy atmosphere.