Andrea Taylor

Based on my experience, if you are considering an in-home daycare, I recommend to really do your research in this area. It is a small community and all of the in-home providers know each other and talk. Overall, this is not a provider that I would recommend based on the cons of my experiences there.

Pros:
- Your child (if enrolled in FT care) will receive breakfast, lunch and snack. The meals provided are healthy and are a part of the State of Maryland food program.
- The provider has a safe back yard and play area for the kids.
- The provider has special days which include PJ days, celebrations for your child's birthday and holiday parties which make it fun.

Cons:
- The provider is often over in childcare numbers. On frequent occasion I have counted 10 children, 8 children 4 and under, making it difficult to focus on each child's need. Consider that with the amount of time spent prepping meals and you have an environment where children are not observed for long periods of time.
- Unprofessional when handling child behavior issues. Often times behavior reports were given verbally in the presence of other parents and their children. When I addressed the issue, I was told we had to deal with it because she had a lot going on.
- Favoritism is prominent. This provider fosters relationships with only select daycare children outside of the daycare environment and these outings are posted publicly on facebook. Not all children are invited. This type of behavior fosters a "clique" and "bullying" type of environment.
- Lacks experience when dealing with toddler behaviors. This provider struggled greatly dealing with a tantrum or any type of random toddler-like behavior (ie: playing with food, licking a table, random tantrum because something doesn't go their way, refuses to lay still at nap time). The provider has an over-reactionary type of personality. If my child had a tantrum or did not nap, I was the first person to hear about it.
- Text messaging is the preferred type of communication for this provider instead of email or phone call. I was texted frequently, sometimes late at night and I felt as though she was trying to be my friend.

Overall, due to the lack of experience in techniques to handle different types of toddler personalities and behaviors, this provider was not a fit for my family. In my opinion, providers should be even-keeled, fair and professional when handling children and this was not what we received or experienced.