Finding the right daycare for our children can be a daunting experience. We want to make sure we’re choosing the best setting for our kids and our families. After all, there’s a lot at stake – studies show that the experiences in the first five years of a child’s life set the foundation for the rest of their lives. No pressure, right?
When I was a brand new mom with my first child, I knew basically nothing about daycare. All I knew was that I wanted my son to go to daycare instead of being cared for by a nanny or an au-pair. Once I started searching around, I didn’t expect to be faced with so many different options. I didn’t even know where to start.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed because it can be an overwhelming process. A good first step is to think about the type of facility that’s best for you and your family, whether it’s home-based or center-based.
Major differences between home-based and center-based daycares
There are several major differences between home-based and center-based daycares. Learning about these differences will help you get a feel for each setting.
1. Physical space
Home-based daycares are typically operated out of a childcare provider’s home or private residence within a designated area. Center-based daycares are larger facilities that are similar to schools.
2. Cost
Generally, home-based daycares are less expensive than center-based daycares.
3. Curriculum and teaching philosophy
Center-based daycares are structured like schools and have a classroom-like atmosphere with age-appropriate curriculums. Home-based daycares have wide variability in their teaching philosophies, depending on the individual caregiver.
4. Environment
Home-based daycares provide a more relaxed, family-type environment, while center-based daycares are busier and focus more on peer interaction, curriculums and structure, and kindergarten preparedness.
5. Age groupings
Center-based daycares usually separate children into different classes by age, while home-based daycares may have one or two groups of children with varying age ranges together.
6. Class sizes
Centers are usually larger, busier, and have significantly more children enrolled than home daycares.
Now that we’ve seen some of the major differences between the two types of daycares, let’s look into some of the pros and cons of each. Understanding the pros and cons of each setting can help you decide which one is best for you.
Before we dive in, I think it’s worth mentioning that the type of daycare – home versus center – is less important than the actual quality of the facility. Childcare quality tends to be, but is not always, associated with centers. Many excellent and high-quality home daycares exist.
Pros and cons of home-based daycares
Home-based pros
Less expensive: Home-based daycares tend to be more affordable than center-based daycares.
Less exposure to germs: Because of the smaller group size, children in home-based daycares are less exposed to germs compared to those in daycare centers – that means less frequent infections and sickness.
Family environment: Home-based daycares rely on the care of one or a few main caregivers. The consistent care from familiar faces helps to build strong bonds and creates an intimate family vibe. Various research studies have shown that the strength of the caregiver-child bond has a strong effect on children both socially and emotionally.
More individualized attention: Children in home-based daycares are likely to receive more personalized attention from their caregivers than those in a daycare center. Parents may also get better and more frequent communication from caregivers in home-based settings about their child’s day-to-day activities.
Schedule flexibility: Home-based daycares might have a little more flexibility when it comes to their hours of operation. They may have non-traditional hours that sync better with our work schedules, and potential weekend availability depending on the caregiver. They also may not be as stringent with late fees and times as daycare centers are.
Home-based cons
Limited support staff: Because home-based daycares are usually run by a single caregiver and there is limited support staff (if any), childcare options are limited if that caregiver is sick, traveling, or otherwise unable to provide care. Having to find alternate care during those situations can be challenging or require extra time off from work.
Curriculum variability: The curriculum of a home-based daycare may not be as structured or standardized as a daycare center’s. Curriculums in home-based daycares are pretty much up to the individual caregiver, and depend solely on their educational experience and training.
Less resources and support: Compared to daycare centers, home-based daycares may not have the same administrative and financial support available to them. That may mean the equipment, enrichment opportunities, and toys may not be as new or as abundant as what’s available in a center. Physical play spaces may also be smaller and have less bells and whistles than centers.
May not be regulated: In some states, home-based daycares may not operate under the same strict regulatory standards as center-based daycares. Some states may not even require licensure for home-based daycares.
Pros and cons of center-based daycares
Center pros
Highly regulated: Center-based daycares follow strict state and commercial regulations in order to stay compliant and maintain operations. Compared to home daycares, centers may have more staff training requirements, more frequent state-conducted inspections, and more health and safety checks due to the high number of children and larger facility size. These frequent checks can help to maximize child safety and program quality.
Established curriculum and qualified teachers: Daycare centers often incorporate well-established curriculums or teaching philosophies that are backed by research. These curriculums ensure that children are engaging in age-appropriate activities and developing the academic and social skills needed for kindergarten. Teachers in daycare centers are usually required to engage in continuing professional development to maintain employment.
More support staff and backup care: Center-based daycares have a significantly larger number of staff compared to home daycares. This includes teachers, support staff (aides and substitutes), and administrative professionals. If a main teacher is sick or out suddenly, there are substitutes to step in so that we don’t have to find last-minute childcare or call off work.
Exposure to different teaching styles: Children in daycare centers are exposed to lots of different teachers. They have the opportunity to interact with a range of personalities and experience different teaching styles, which can help them learn to be adaptable and prepare them for school.
Social interaction: Because centers are usually much larger and have more children, there are many opportunities for socialization among peers in the same (or slightly older) age groups. This can help build social skills and confidence when interacting with other children.
Center cons
Long waitlists and non-refundable fees: Center-based daycares often have long waitlists, and there’s usually a non-refundable fee just to get our names added to it. It can be weeks, months, or even years before a space becomes available. Children who are already enrolled or siblings usually get priority, so the only way a space becomes available is if a child who is already enrolled leaves.
Expensive: Center-based daycare fees are notoriously expensive. My son’s daycare runs at around $2000 a month for basic enrollment. Sounds crazy, but that’s actually pretty normal for childcare, even across different states. The cost doesn’t even include all the extra supplies I provide for daycare – clothes, wipes, diapers, blankets, sheets etc – plus more for extracurriculars.
More exposure to germs: Because daycare centers have a larger number of children and staff, the spread of germs is much more likely. Children in daycare centers will get sick often, especially in the first year of starting, which means we’ll be dealing with lots of recurring infections.
Frequent caregiver turnover and inconsistency in care: It’s true that daycare centers have more staff, but there may also be high turnover rates and inconsistency in care. Teachers may be pulled into different classrooms to fill shortages or maintain state-defined ratios, and children may move through classes frequently in the toddler and preschool years. Children may not get the chance to form strong bonds with one particular caregiver. The inconsistency can also make it hard for us to get information on how our child is doing throughout the day.
Limited schedule flexibility: Daycare center hours are daycare center hours. There’s not much flexibility around that, unless we want to get hit with late pickup fees or are prepared to adjust our work schedules. If we have an unpredictable schedule that doesn’t fall within the facility’s hours of operation, it can be a big challenge.
Both home-based and center-based daycares are valid childcare options for working moms. One isn’t necessarily better than the other; there are home daycare that are excellent and very high-quality, and there are centers with high turnover and burned out teachers (and vice versa). Choosing between the two requires a careful consideration of our personal needs and priorities. There’s no right answer – it’s all about choosing the highest quality option that will give our children the care and support they need.
Sources
Wallace, Sandy. “In-Home Day Care vs. a Day Care Center: What’s the Difference?” Care.com Resources, 13 Feb. 2019, www.care.com/c/child-day-care/.
“Center-Based vs In-Home Daycare: Finding the Best Choice for Your Child.” Wonderschool.com, 2025, www.wonderschool.com/blog/child-care-provider-resources/center-based-or-in-home-childcare-what-is-best-for-your-child.
“What’s the Difference between Center-Based & Home-Based Daycare?” SafeWise, 8 Apr. 2021, www.safewise.com/faq/child-baby-safety/types-of-daycare/.
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