If you’re having trouble choosing a childcare option, you’re not alone! There are many quality childcare options in the Beaver Creek area. There are many factors to consider, such as:
- Location
- Cost
- Availability
- Schedule
Let’s take a look at how daycare and home childcare compare.
Location: Daycare vs. Home Childcare
Everyone has different preferences for an ideal location. Some are willing to drive further, while others prefer the closest option possible. Neither is right or wrong–it’s all about what works for your family situation.
Days of Discovery is conveniently located close to the heart of downtown Xenia off Route 68. You can’t go wrong with our location!
Cost: Daycare vs. Home Childcare
Since daycares and home childcare settings are private businesses, they can charge for their services as they deem fit. In Ohio, the average cost for childcare ranges from $470-$1029 per month. Typically, infant care is more expensive than school-aged care because infants need more supervision than school-aged children.
As you inquire into each business, you will find a spectrum of prices. But be wary of childcare that charges under average prices; this could be a red flag that the childcare provided is poor.
Days of Discovery accepts childcare financial assistance through the Department of Job and Family Services, which may not apply to home childcare services.
Availability: Daycare vs. Home Childcare
It can be hard to find availability in daycare or home childcare! This is especially true of infant age groups since infant classrooms are capped at 12 children.
Typically, daycares have more availability than home childcare options. This is because small-family home childcare options can only provide care for 6 children, and large-family home childcare options can only provide care for 12 children.
In contrast, daycare classrooms have higher ratio allowances. This means you’re more likely to find available childcare in a daycare like Days of Discovery.
Schedule: Daycare vs. Home Childcare
Daycares can maintain a consistent schedule because they employ multiple staff members. Days of Discovery is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6 PM. This is extremely beneficial to families because it means reliable childcare.
In contrast, home childcare is a little less dependable. What happens if the provider is too ill to provide care, needs to meet a family emergency, or takes a vacation? You must find outside childcare–sometimes at a last-minute’s notice. While this is not to say home childcare providers are generally reliable, there’s peace of mind knowing that daycares like Days of Discovery will always be available to take your child!
Additionally, home childcare may not have the 12-hour childcare window that Days of Discovery has. While this may not be a problem for some families, our flexible time window allows you to take that early or late shift, run an errand before picking up your child, and not stress if you’re stuck in traffic.
So which is better, daycare or home childcare?
Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents value the intimacy of home childcare and that children of all ages play together, while this isn’t as important for other parents.
At daycare, your child has opportunities that home childcare doesn’t provide, such as field trips, quality curriculum taught by teachers, and same-age peer interaction.
With a convenient location, affordable prices, better availability, and dependable childcare, Days of Discovery should be at the top of your childcare list.