Center vs Home

To help you decide which choice is better for you we have used the Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers and Family Childcare Homes to develop this table.


	All children in each room are the same age. The teacher can devote full attention to developmentally appropriate activities and curriculum for your child’s age.		Mixed ages of children. Infants to school-age are in the same room. The caregiver can not devote full attention to any one age group.
	Non-stop supervision of children in each room. Children can never be left alone. The only duty the teacher has is to stay in the room and attend to the children. Others in the building cook, answer the phone and watch the class if the caregiver needs to leave the room.		Children left unattended while caregiver attends to personal business, i.e. restroom, phone, cooking etc. Who is watching the children?
	If the teacher is absent a substitute or the director can take the class.		If the caregiver is ill parents have to find other arrangements.
	Centers have yearly fire, health, building and safety inspections to ensure the safest conditions. Smoke detectors in each room.		No inspections are required.
	Outdoor area must be completely fenced and the caregiver must be on the playground with the children at all times to ensure their safety.		The outdoor area does not have to be completely fenced. The caregiver only has to stay on the playground with the children if the yard is not completely fenced.
	There can be 4 infants to one caregiver with extra help from the director or supervisor if needed.		There can be 5 infants to one caregiver. No extra help if needed.
	Each center has a licensed capacity and a maximum group size for each age.		Homes can have up to 7 children of all ages. May have 2 infants and 5 children over 2 years in the same room.
	Directors must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma, a National Administrators Credential, a CDA or related Bachelors or Associates Degree, CPR, First aid, and take 40 hours of training their first year as director plus 20 additional hours annually. Master teachers in each age group must have a CDA or related degree with 12 clock hours in child development, CPR, First aid and 20 hours of training yearly.		Caregiver must be over 18 years of age and be able to read and understand licensing requirements and obtain 12 hours of training each year.
	No Alcohol, tobacco or firearms on the premises.		Alcohol, tobacco and firearms are allowed in the home but must be kept away from the children.
	Centers can only take children on parent approved field trips, to and from home and school on bus or van with a driver possessing a Commercial Drivers License.		Caregiver may take children any where on personal errands in any vehicle at any time. Parents may not know the children leave the home.