What's the Difference?
Home Daycare
Childcare provided in someone's home, typically by one caregiver (the owner) with possibly one assistant. Usually serves 4-12 children of mixed ages.
Daycare Center
A dedicated childcare facility with multiple rooms, multiple staff members, and children grouped by age. Typically serves 30-100+ children.
Home Daycare: Pros and Cons
Advantages
- • Smaller group = more personal attention
- • Home-like environment, cozy and comfortable
- • Often 10-25% less expensive than centers
- • Mixed ages teach nurturing and social skills
- • One consistent caregiver builds strong bonds
- • More flexible about hours and policies
- • Fewer children = less germ exposure
Disadvantages
- • Closes if provider is sick or on vacation
- • May have less structured curriculum
- • Limited outdoor play space sometimes
- • Less oversight and fewer checks
- • If provider leaves, you start over
- • Fewer same-age peers for socialization
- • Quality varies significantly
Daycare Center: Pros and Cons
Advantages
- • Always open (not dependent on one person)
- • Age-appropriate curriculum and activities
- • More structured daily schedule
- • Multiple caregivers provide checks/balance
- • Usually licensed with regular inspections
- • Dedicated facilities and outdoor space
- • More peers for socialization
Disadvantages
- • Higher cost on average
- • Less individual attention per child
- • More exposure to illnesses
- • Stricter policies and less flexibility
- • Can feel institutional, less cozy
- • Staff turnover can disrupt bonding
- • Long waitlists common
Cost Comparison
Average Monthly Costs
Home daycares are typically 15-25% less expensive than centers, though quality home daycares in high-demand areas can cost just as much.
Which Is Right for Your Child?
Home Daycare May Be Better If...
- • Your child is shy and does better in smaller groups
- • You want a close relationship with one primary caregiver
- • You prefer a home-like, less structured environment
- • Cost is a significant factor
- • You have an infant and want more individual attention
- • You need more flexible hours or policies
A Center May Be Better If...
- • Your child is social and thrives with more peers
- • You want a structured curriculum and school readiness
- • Reliability is critical (never closed for one person's illness)
- • You prefer more oversight and accountability
- • Your child is preschool age and needs peer interaction
- • You want an easier transition to kindergarten
Questions to Ask Either Type
For Any Provider
- • Are you licensed? Can I see your license?
- • What is the child-to-staff ratio?
- • What training and certifications do caregivers have?
- • How do you handle emergencies?
- • What is your sick policy?
- • What happens if you (or staff) are sick?
- • Can I have references from current families?
Trust Your Gut
The most important factor isn't the type of facility—it's the quality of care. A warm, attentive home daycare provider can be better than a mediocre center, and vice versa. Visit multiple options of both types and trust your instincts about where your child will thrive.
Understanding Licensing Differences
One of the most important distinctions between home daycares and centers is how they're regulated. Understanding these differences helps you evaluate quality and make informed decisions.
Home Daycare Licensing
- • Many states have "license-exempt" home daycares caring for fewer than 4-6 children
- • Licensed homes must meet safety standards but inspections are typically annual
- • Some states have "registered" vs "licensed" tiers with different requirements
- • Background checks are required for licensed providers but may not cover all household members
- • Training requirements vary dramatically by state (8-40+ hours/year)
Center Licensing
- • Nearly all centers are required to be licensed
- • Inspections are more frequent (2-4 times/year in most states)
- • All staff must pass background checks
- • Higher training requirements for lead teachers
- • More extensive record-keeping and documentation required
- • Must follow stricter building codes and fire safety rules
Important: An unlicensed home daycare isn't automatically bad—many excellent providers choose to stay small and exempt. However, licensing does provide an extra layer of accountability. Always verify licensing status with your state's regulatory agency.
A Day in the Life: Home vs Center
To really understand the difference, let's walk through what a typical day looks like in each setting:
Home Daycare Day
7:30 AM - Arrive at provider's home, often greeted at the door
8:00 AM - Free play while children arrive, mixed ages playing together
9:00 AM - Breakfast at the family dining table, all ages together
10:00 AM - Arts and crafts or sensory play, older kids help younger ones
11:00 AM - Outdoor play in backyard
12:00 PM - Lunch, then quiet time/naps for all
2:30 PM - Wake, snack, free play
4:00 PM - Pickup begins, informal chat with provider
Center Day
7:30 AM - Sign in at front desk, drop off in age-specific classroom
8:00 AM - Circle time for the 3-year-old room, structured greeting
9:00 AM - Breakfast in cafeteria or classroom, peers same age
10:00 AM - Learning center rotations: art, blocks, dramatic play, books
11:00 AM - Outdoor play on age-appropriate playground
12:00 PM - Lunch, then rest time in classroom
2:30 PM - Wake, afternoon activity based on weekly curriculum
4:00 PM - Pickup, quick review of daily report
The Mixed-Age Advantage (and Disadvantage)
One of the biggest differences is how children of different ages interact. This is often overlooked but can significantly impact your child's development.
Benefits of Mixed Ages (Home Daycare)
- • Sibling-like relationships: Older children often become nurturing "big siblings," younger ones have role models
- • Natural learning: Toddlers learn by watching preschoolers; older kids reinforce skills by teaching
- • Real-world social skills: Mirrors the diversity of ages in families and communities
- • Less competition: Children aren't constantly compared to same-age peers
- • Flexibility: A child can play up or down depending on their mood and development
Benefits of Same-Age Grouping (Centers)
- • Developmentally targeted: Activities and expectations are precisely calibrated
- • Pre-K preparation: Curriculum can focus on kindergarten readiness skills
- • True peer friendships: Kids connect with others at the same developmental stage
- • Appropriate materials: All toys and equipment are right for the age group
- • Easier transitions: Moves up "together" with a familiar cohort
Backup Care Considerations
One practical factor many parents overlook is what happens when your regular care isn't available. This is where the home daycare vs center difference becomes very real.
| Scenario | Home Daycare | Center |
|---|---|---|
| Provider sick | Closed—you need backup | Usually open with substitute staff |
| Vacation | Closed 1-2 weeks/year typically | Open year-round (holidays only) |
| Family emergency | May close unexpectedly | Rarely affected |
| Provider quits/retires | You must find new care entirely | Staff turnover but care continues |
If you choose home daycare, it's essential to have a backup plan. This could be family members, a neighbor, backup care through your employer, or a drop-in center. Budget for at least 10-15 missed days per year and plan accordingly.
Making the Decision: A Framework
Rather than thinking in absolutes, consider which factors matter most to your family. Rate each on a scale of 1-5, then add up the scores:
Factors Favoring Home Daycare
- • __ I want one consistent caregiver who deeply knows my child
- • __ A home-like environment feels more comfortable for my child's age
- • __ Budget is a major constraint (typically 10-25% less expensive)
- • __ I prefer flexibility in scheduling, drop-off times, or policies
- • __ My child is shy and does better in smaller, quieter settings
Factors Favoring a Center
- • __ Reliability is critical—I can't miss work for care closures
- • __ Structured curriculum and kindergarten readiness matter to me
- • __ I want my child around more peers their own age
- • __ I prefer more oversight, licensing, and accountability measures
- • __ My child is social and thrives on stimulation and activity
Can You Switch Between Types?
Absolutely. Many families start with one type and switch to another as their child's needs change. Common transition patterns include:
- •Home → Center at age 2-3: Many parents love the intimate infant care at home daycares, then move to a center when their child is ready for more structure and peer interaction.
- •Center → Home for better fit: Some children struggle in busy center environments. A quieter home daycare can be a better match for sensitive kids.
- •Home → Center for Pre-K: Even if home daycare worked well, many parents transition to a center-based Pre-K program for the year before kindergarten.
When transitioning, give your child 2-4 weeks of adjustment time. Consider overlap days where they visit the new setting while still enrolled in the old one. Frame the change positively: "You're growing up and ready for a new adventure!"
Quality Indicators: What to Look For
Regardless of which type you choose, high-quality care has universal characteristics:
Signs of Quality
- • Caregivers get down to children's level and make eye contact
- • Children are engaged, active, and seem happy
- • Provider knows each child's personality, preferences, and family
- • Clear communication with parents about daily activities
- • Clean, organized, and age-appropriate environment
- • Consistent routines that children understand
- • Warm, patient responses to children's needs
Warning Signs
- • Caregivers seem distracted, on phones, or disengaged
- • Children are crying, unsupervised, or watching TV excessively
- • Provider can't tell you about your child's day
- • Reluctance to let you visit unannounced
- • Dirty facilities, hazards visible, or chaotic environment
- • High staff turnover or lots of substitute caregivers
- • Harsh discipline or yelling at children
Frequently Asked Questions
Is home daycare safer than a center?
Not necessarily. Both can be very safe, and both have potential risks. Centers typically have more formal safety protocols, regular inspections, and multiple adults present. Home daycares have fewer children (reducing some accident risks) but may have fewer formal safety checks. The key is to thoroughly evaluate any specific provider—inspect the space, ask about emergency procedures, and verify licensing. A well-run home daycare can be just as safe as a well-run center.
Will my child learn less at a home daycare without a formal curriculum?
Not necessarily. Young children learn primarily through play, relationships, and everyday experiences. A high-quality home daycare provider can offer rich learning opportunities through cooking together, gardening, nature exploration, reading, art, and imaginative play. Many home daycares do follow curricula like Creative Curriculum or Montessori principles. The key is to ask what learning activities are offered and observe during your visit. That said, if structured pre-academic skills and kindergarten preparation are priorities, centers often have a more systematic approach.
Are home daycare kids less prepared for kindergarten?
Research shows that quality matters more than setting type. Children from high-quality home daycares enter kindergarten just as prepared as those from high-quality centers. Both can teach letters, numbers, social skills, and self-regulation. If your home daycare doesn't emphasize kindergarten readiness, you might consider transitioning to a center-based Pre-K for the year before kindergarten, or supplementing with preschool a few days a week.
How do I find a good home daycare?
Start with your state's licensing database for licensed providers. Ask friends, neighbors, and local parent groups for personal recommendations. Check online reviews and local Facebook groups. When you find candidates, visit the home, meet the provider, watch them interact with children, check references, and ask about their experience, philosophy, and daily activities. Trust your gut—you should feel comfortable leaving your child there.
What if my child's home daycare provider retires or moves?
This is one of the biggest risks of home daycare. When a sole provider stops, you must find entirely new care. Good providers usually give 2-4 weeks notice (sometimes more if they're planning retirement). Use that time to tour other options and give your child time to adjust. Some providers connect with families with other trusted providers. Having a relationship with backup options in advance can reduce stress if this happens unexpectedly.
Are centers too germy? Will my child be sick constantly?
Children in group care do get sick more often, especially in the first year. Centers with more children may have higher exposure. However, research shows these early illnesses help build immunity—children who attend group care get fewer sick days in elementary school. Good hygiene practices (handwashing, cleaning toys, sick child policies) at any facility reduce illness spread. Home daycares with fewer children may mean fewer initial illnesses but similar total immunity development over time.
Can I negotiate price at a home daycare?
Home daycares may be more flexible on pricing than centers. You might negotiate a discount for multiple children, paying in advance, odd hours, or longer-term contracts. Some providers offer reduced rates for pick-up help, providing supplies, or referrals. Be respectful—home daycare providers often earn modest incomes—but don't assume rates are non-negotiable. Centers rarely negotiate, but may offer sibling discounts or employer partnerships.
Should my infant be in home daycare or a center?
Many families prefer home daycare for infants because of smaller groups, more individual attention, and a home-like environment. Infants benefit from consistent caregivers and less stimulation. However, high-quality infant rooms at centers can be excellent too, with trained infant caregivers, safe sleep practices, and developmental activities. If you choose a center for an infant, look for low ratios (1:3 or better), dedicated infant rooms, and primary caregiving systems where one person is "your baby's person."
What if my home daycare has other adults in the home?
It's common for home daycare providers to have spouses, adult children, or elderly parents living in the home. Ask who else lives there, when they're typically around, and whether they undergo background checks (requirements vary by state). Some states require all household members over 18 to pass background checks for licensed providers. If unlicensed, this is entirely at the provider's discretion. Trust your comfort level and ask questions.
How do I know if a center is high quality?
Look for accreditation from NAEYC, NAC, or state quality rating systems. Check the most recent state inspection report (available online in most states). Visit during operating hours and observe teacher-child interactions. Ask about staff education requirements and turnover rates. Low turnover and teachers with degrees in early childhood education are positive signs. Watch how children behave—are they engaged, happy, and well-supervised?
The Bottom Line
There is no universally "better" option between home daycare and centers—only what's better for your specific child and family situation.
Home daycares offer intimacy, flexibility, and often lower cost, but come with reliability risks and less oversight. Centers offer structure, curriculum, and consistent availability, but can feel institutional and expose children to more peers (and germs).
The most important factor is the quality of the individual provider or program. A loving, attentive home daycare provider who engages with your child is infinitely better than a sterile center with distracted staff—and vice versa.
Visit both types, ask questions, watch how caregivers interact with children, and trust your instincts. Your child will thrive in an environment where they feel safe, loved, and engaged—regardless of whether that's in someone's living room or a purpose-built classroom.