Introduction Part 1

Author: An G

2008-09-30 Word Count: 572 Category: Parental Care

Types of Child Care

Many parents believe that child care is child care, and they are unaware of the different types or which type they use. Listed here are the different options for child care and their definitions.

• Relative Care – Relative care includes any of your family members caring for your children. This is a huge reason why many people live close to family. It’s often easier to have your parents or siblings care for your children, if that’s an option for you, to keep costs down and know that your children are in good hands.

• Non-relative Care – This involves anyone other than family members caring for your children. You may have a neighbor or friend watch your children occasionally or even on a full time basis. Many people choose this option because it is convenient or again for financial reasons. Sometimes neighbors or friends take turns caring for the children, so each parent can have some time by themselves. This option also includes having a nanny or babysitter that comes into your home to care for your children.

• Family Child Care – This is a child care facility that is located in the home of the owner/operator. Some or all of the owner’s home may be used for the child care facility. Family child care may also be called Group Child Care depending on the number of children cared for and the number of caregivers. Each licensed facility must maintain staff/child ratios as set by the state.

Parents, are you looking for quality daycare or childcare? Are you looking for someone who’s more than a babysitter? Wondering what your states standards and regulations are? Want your children to get a good early childhood education from a teacher who cares and is qualified? Have you checked out your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R) for quality childcare?

I’ve also written a book because of my experiences in teaching and, most importantly, my experiences teaching in child care. I’ve always been one to demand excellence in everything I do and from everyone I encounter. The fact that child care is less than excellent keeps me searching for a way to improve the standards that aren’t meeting my, and hopefully your expectations.

I am just one of many professionals who have worked over the years to achieve excellence in child care. I have always been one to make sure I have the facts before making assumptions or conclusions about any topic. With that mind, the book I've written is a compilation of the research I have studied, along with my personal experiences that I have used to draw conclusions about the state of child care in the United States. Although I may refer to other countries, it is merely to compare and contrast what I feel is a noteworthy fact about what other countries are doing to support the future of their country.

I always thought that if I’m a good teacher and a good role model, then others will follow suit and step up to the challenge of creating quality child care, and that it would be enough. I’ve always hoped that there are more people out there that have the same standards I do and are creating the same quality than not, but the more I teach, the more I find this isn’t the case.

Angie