Hi There,

Where do I start. I have a background with Home Daycare which I feel I should share with you. I have worked in both environments but feel which led me to choose Home Day Care over Centres. Only because I feel you can form a close trusting bond with the child.

This is very important from the ages of 0 to 6 years as if the child does not feel safe and secure in the environment they are in the child will not want to go to care, show some tears which as a parent can tend to make you feel horrible about leaving them. Sometimes you have to allow for a time of settlement as some children take longer to adjust then others.

You will know when a child is happy in a caring environment they attend as they will tell you about their day. I have come across children who have not wanted to go home!. This is great that they feel that way from the carers point of view but poor mum and dad might feel offended but don't be because this is good sign. Your child is happy. So don't take it personal will you.

I became a carer after working in a centre. I was a family day care provider for 9 almost 10 years. I loved it and miss the children sometimes. There are some little magic moments that you tend to cherish forever in your heart.

Family or Home childcare for me was great as I got to know the kids so much better and you can do so much more in some areas like excursions as long as your carer follows policies and proceedures which are laid out for him or her to apply to.

You are allowed, well in Australia/Queensland 4 under 5 years but 2 under two as to make it little easier on the carer of course. The children also form great friendships out of Home care as they play together as well as take turns with one another when participating in activities. We also attend other carers houses for playgroup usually atleast once a week and this lets the children interact with other children and carers in the scheme which is great.

As we all know sometimes things can happen that are unavoidable like having a sick carer. This is when something should be in place for your child to attend a fill in carer which they should already know from attending playgroups, they can have your child attend their care environment. This is entirely up to the parents of course, they may decide to take the time off.

If is good value for money. You can receive a higher rebate from the government if you are entitle to it. As our fees are structured slightly different to a daycare centre and have compared the rebate formuliars to both and have discovered it can give a better discount. This is great news this means for money in your pocket. We all know that if you work a 9 to 5 job the hours can clock up on the daycare bill!

My funniest moment was a child who was at the time she was four. It was just after lunch as I had over the day became quite unwell so I rang the parent to explain and she told me she could finish up a little early and that I should head off to the hospital. Well anyway this little girl was asking why are we going in the car yet as it is not time to go home? I replied while we were already on our way to her mothers' work place I began to explain that I was not feeling well and will have to go to the hospital. She then told me to pull over to the side of the road, so I did and got out to check them in the back seat but all she wanted to do was to offer to drive me to the hospital if I wasn't feeling well. Well that is nice of you to offer but don't you have to have a licence. Yes but it is an emergency! That was so sweet of her to offer but I did explain you would not be able to reach the floor peddles and maybe when you are old enough too.