SUSY'S FAMILY CHILDCARE

What Daycare Means?

Congratulations! You're a parent! Your journey to parenthood is a life-changing experience that will alter the course of your life. It's a journey that will have its highs and lows, its exhilarating and exhausting moments. And though you've been preparing yourself for the arrival of your bundle of joy for months, there's still so much to learn, adapt, and navigate. One of the biggest hurdles you'll have to overcome as a new parent is work-life balance. You can't leave your child alone, but you also can't always be there to take care of him/her. Daycare can be a solution to this dilemma, especially when you're looking for a center that offers quality care for your child while providing you with peace of mind. In this piece, we'll take a look at what daycare means and the many types available to help you make an informed decision.

What Is Daycare?

Most people have a general understanding of what daycare is, but not everyone understands what it really means. In reality, daycare is a broad term that encompasses a variety of different types of care. Although there are subtle differences between each type, they all provide children with access to personalized attention and supervision by an adult during times when their parents aren't able to be physically present in their lives. Daycare can refer to in-home or out-of-home care, and in most cases, includes meals, educational activities, personal hygiene assistance, and entertainment options. In essence, daycare exists as a substitute for parental responsibilities for younger children while their guardians work outside of the home. It may also include short-term or long-term care for older kids whose needs exceed those provided at home. Overall, daycare serves as one of several options available to working parents who wish to maintain strong family ties without sacrificing their careers.

3 Common Types of Daycare in Indio

Daycare doesn't mean you have to leave your child in a one-size-fits-all facility. Enlisted are three of the most common types of daycare (and why they may be right for your family):

1. Center-Based Care:

This is considered conventional daycare, and your child will spend most of their time playing in a classroom-like setting with other children and under the direct supervision of a teacher or caregivers. It's also one of the most affordable options for childcare, with average costs ranging from $300 per month depending on location and provider. While center-based care centers do provide a lot of structure and consistency in daily schedules, they're not always ideal for parents who work unconventional hours or would like more flexibility in when they drop off and pick up their children. And because centers need to meet certain state requirements to be licensed (such as a number of staff members), you may find limited availability on what times are available at different facilities throughout your area.

2. In-Home Childcares

If flexibility, personalized attention, and a one-on-one relationship with your child is a top priority for you, in-home caregivers might be a great fit for your family. Baby sitters, live-in, and live-out nannies are all common types of in-home childcare providers that will watch over your child while you're away from home or at work. From timely pick-ups from school to after-school activities to full-time care for children under 12, live-in and live-out nannies can often offer more flexible hours than daycare centers. Nanny agencies also make finding a professional caregiver quick and easy—often guaranteeing you a response within hours. The only downside to in-home childcare is its price tag. Depending on how many days per week your child needs care, average costs run about $1000 per month or more.

3. Family Child Care Providers:

Perhaps the most flexible option for childcare, family-based Daycare in Indio is when a professional provider watches over your child in their own home—which means parents have more control over where and how their child spends time each day. Family child care providers further limit the cost of childcare by often sharing space with other families on an hourly basis, meaning they get paid by watching multiple children at once. The downside? They are not licensed or regulated by any state agency, so it's hard to know whether or not you can trust them with your kids' safety.