I Am a Home Daycare Provider-seeking Input

I tried in home daycare once. My boys were only there several weeks and the lady called me at 6am and said her child was sick and she could not watch my boys or any of the other children that day. I had to take a day off of work because there was no notice. So a concern for me now with daycare is if the providers children are sick and they need to tend to there sick child( which is understandable) who will watch my children for the day. I take days off of work when my children are sick but can not afford to take off when other peoples children are sick too. I think all daycare providers are underpaid. You gals have a very hard job. We put the most important things in our lives( our children) in your hands for 8 hours a day. I don't mind paying more if I know my children are in good hands and enjoy going to there daycare facility. I am a firm believer in you pay for what you get.

As far as pay- it can be dependent on whether you claim that income on your taxes or not. Obviously, if you claim it you should expect to have a slightly increased price. It also depends on if you charge by the day, by the child, or by the week.
Keep in mind, many parents need reasonably priced daycare and seek the in-home situations for the cost and social aspect. Many parents can't afford the big name "early learning" and "daycare" facilities but still need childcare. Also- some parents prefer the in-home "family" feel that they often get from a private setting.
I expect my provider to assist me and my husband in ensuring that our child is well cared for, but is also learning- right from wrong, interaction & socialization, etc- all the things that we would be working on if we were able to stay home instead of having to work full time.
In general- what you would expect for your children is what you should provide for other parents- no less.
Good luck!!

My son is in a Home Daycare. We pay $150. per week. The things I like best about his daycare is that the kids are taken outside every day that it is nice. Sometimes they take a walk, sometimes they go to the park and sometimes they just play in the yard. I also like that my provider has time set aside everyday to teach the children. My son learned numbers, letters and colors very early. There are between 4 - 5 other kids at the daycare and I think that is a good number.

What I don't like is that I do not get a report on what the kids ate and did that day.

I think another important thing about a provider is reliability. I have made arrangements for backup care in case my provider is sick, etc but I have only had to use it once in the three years we have been going to this provider.

I think the average full time cost per week is $175-$200 per child.
I expect the obvious of a day care provider, to be loving, kind, compassionate & nurturing to my child(ren). I expect open communication and consistency. Disiplinary tactics are very important to me. Some daycares provide a daily report to the parents on the child's activities, meals, and anything else pertinant to the day. I really like that idea.
I know noone will love my children as much as I do but the closest to it I can get, the better. I love my childcare provider because she adores my daughter and my daughter adores her.