Traditional Childcare Explained - Part 2

Well, what a week it has been so far! My Daughter is ill and as you probably can relate. Things are crazy at the moment.
But as I promised last week, here is some information to get you started on the Traditional Types of Childcare available.

Private in-home caregivers
If you're looking for individualized care, you may wish to look for someone to provide childcare in your home, such as a Nanny. Nannies can be hired on a full-time or part-time basis, and would be hired by you as a private contractor. Some full-time nannies may even be willing to live in your home if you wish, and housing can be arranged as a component of their salary package.

Family Childcare
This type of program is run in a provider's home, for a small group of children and a limited number of families. Depending on the number of children cared for, the program may need to be registered with the state. Family Childcare Programs must meet state regulations for things such as safety, quality care, and enrollment limits. Family childcare settings are ideal for children who prefer a home-like environment, with a small group of children and one primary provider. Hours and payment terms may be more flexible with this option, but all programs will have their own policies.

Center-Based Childcare
A center-based program typically serves a larger group of children than a home-based program. Most centers will offer full-day programs and some may offer morning or afternoon programs as well. Childcare Centers employ a staff of professional caregivers, many of whom will hold certifications in early childhood education. Centers are usually licensed and regulated by the state that they operate in, and subject to random inspections. This type of program should have written policies, procedures, and contracts for you to review and will often have different age groups of children in the program.

Preschool
Preschool settings are designated for children age 3-5. A preschool will have a structured curriculum that is designed to prepare children for kindergarten, prepared by a certified teacher. Preschool Teachers create monthly lesson plans broken down by week/day, with planned activities relating to those lessons (units). Seasons, weather, animals, colors, numbers, plants, and space are some examples of common subjects that you might expect your child to learn about in a lesson unit. There should be a focus on school readiness, which will include not only classroom learning, but also personal care improvement, such as toileting, dressing, and hand washing. It is assumed that when a child graduates from Preschool he/she has the necessary tools to smoothly transition to kindergarten.

Religious-Based Programs
Religious-based programs can be either strictly care-based or preschool-based, and are often located in an area in a church or temple. They will typically focus on a curriculum that supports their religious affiliation. You'll find programs for all ages – from infants to preschoolers, to kindergarten, and beyond. It should be noted that a childcare program located in a church building may not necessarily be affiliated with that church. Spaces can be leased, without religious affiliation. It's best to clarify with the program director what exactly the function is.