Home daycare, also known as family daycare, is exactly what it sounds like — daycare in a home instead of a center. This arrangement has been around as long as women have had neighbors and friends nearby to help care for their kids. Today it's a way for many moms who prefer to stay at home and who truly enjoy taking care of children to do work they love and contribute to the family finances at the same time.

The United States has more than 280,000 regulated home daycares — almost three times the number of licensed childcare centers. According to a 1996 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, home daycares (and probably many more that aren't regulated) provide care for 14 percent of the more than 21 million U.S. children under six, making home daycare the third most popular option after center care and relative care. http://www.babycenter.com/0_home-daycare-overview_46.bc

In theory, almost all home daycares are required to meet state licensing regulations for health and safety to operate. But in practice, many get away without one, especially if the provider is taking care of only one or two children besides her own.

Many states require home daycare providers to go through a background check and some training, according to the Children's Defense Fund, but only a few states inspect all family childcare homes. Some states require nothing more than that the provider mail in a self-certification form or add her name to a list. See the concerned state's childcare profile, from the National Child Care Information Center. http://www.babycenter.com/0_home-daycare-licensing_6038.bc

A good reputation: A better daycare should have a friendly atmosphere, well nurturing environment, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Establishing ground rules: It is important that the home daycare is more flexible. They should let the parents pick up their children and drop them. But they should also have clear established regulations for emergencies and also for other operating hours.

A stimulating curriculum: The best day curriculum should include a plenty of time for various activities such as physical activities, group programs, snacks, daily reading sessions, meals, free time, etc,. A well-thought-out curriculum helps to stimulate every child’s development.

A qualified, experienced and committed caregiver: The caregivers must have a high qualification, at least 2 years of experience, and should be committed to their work.

Clean and safe facilities: A good daycare center should have all safety measures for children. It should have a clean and sanitary environment. The home daycare must have adequate heat, ventilation and light.

A current license: A license doesn’t guarantee the quality of home daycare but one should never opt for a daycare center which doesn’t have any state credentials up-to-date. http://parenting.ygoy.com/2010/07/09/home-daycare-regulations-%E2%80%93-signs-of-a-good-home-daycare/