Home Based Childcare

            Home-based daycare offers an intimate, flexible, and often more affordable environment with mixed-age socializing, ideal for personalized attention. 

• Lower Cost: Generally more affordable.
• Individualized Curriculum: Smaller group sizes and lower child-to-caregiver ratios mean more one-on-one attention. Student lead curriculum. 
• Flexible Scheduling: Providers often offer more flexible hours and better accommodating for early/late drop-offs or pick-ups. 
• Mixed Age Groups: Siblings can stay together, and children learn so much from mixed-age interaction. Children reach developmental milestones quicker from being with mixed age groups.
• Fewer Germs: With fewer children, exposure to illnesses can be lower.
• Low Turnover: Staff rarely changes and less burnout. 
• Less overstimulating for children with sensory processing disorders. 
• Scheduling: Follows local school district calendar breaks/holidays. 

        Center Based are typically larger, commercial facilities with multiple classrooms and regulated staff, higher structure, and more resources. 

• Consistency & Safety: Often feature higher safety protocols, including security cameras, multiple staff members.
• Structured Curriculum: Shared materials between all classrooms. Teacher led curriculum. 
• Single Age Groups: Traditional learning environment where children are grouped by a single chronological age. 
• Scheduling: Less closures and longer hours.
• Higher Cost: Often significantly more expensive than home-based care.
• Higher Sickness Rates: Larger groups lead to more illnesses.
• Rigid Policies: Strict hours, with fees for late pick-ups.
• High Turnover: Potential for high staff turnover, which can affect the consistency of care.