In-home daycare, near you.

"In-home daycare" can mean two different things. Most parents searching for it want a licensed family child care home: a state-licensed provider running a small program out of their own residence, typically caring for 6 to 12 children of mixed ages. That is what this guide is about. It is the second-largest regulated child care format in the United States, after licensed centers, and it is the right choice for a meaningful share of families.

Family child care isn't a downgraded center. It is a different model with different strengths. Smaller groups. Mixed ages. One consistent caregiver. Home-cooked food. Lower cost. The trade-offs are real too: smaller facilities, fewer enrichment activities, and a single provider whose absence closes the program.

What it is

A family child care home is a licensed child care program operated out of a residential dwelling. The provider is the lead caregiver. Many states allow a second adult (assistant) when group size exceeds a threshold. Children are typically grouped together regardless of age, so an infant, a toddler, and a 4-year-old may all share the same playroom under one provider.

Most states regulate two tiers:

• Small family child care — usually up to 6 to 8 children, often run by one provider alone.
• Large (or "group") family child care — usually 7 to 12 children, requiring an assistant.

Group size caps, age ratios, and required training hours vary by state. Every state has a licensing system that publishes inspection reports; in some states (notably California, New York, and Massachusetts) family child care homes are inspected as rigorously as centers.

How it differs from a center

What it costs

Family child care is generally 15 to 35 percent cheaper than center-based care in the same zip code. The 2026 national median range is:

High-cost metros (New York, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC) can be 30 to 50 percent above this range. Most family child care providers accept the child care subsidy (CCDF) and many participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which is one signal of a provider running a more professional operation.

For a deeper cost breakdown by metro, see our cost pillar guide and our cost calculator.

When in-home daycare is the right choice

• Infant care — smaller groups mean more one-on-one attention during the first year, when ratios matter most.
• Children who do better with one consistent adult — some children, especially anxious or sensitive ones, regulate better in a smaller, calmer setting.
• Families who want mixed-age groupings — younger children learn from older ones; older children practice care for younger ones.
• Families needing flexible or non-standard hours — family providers more often accommodate early, late, or weekend care than centers do.
• Budget-constrained families — family child care is the most affordable licensed option in most of the country.
• Subsidy-eligible families — family providers are more likely to accept the state child care subsidy.

When a center is a better fit

• You need predictability of hours and closures. A center with 20 staff doesn't close when one teacher gets the flu.
• You want a structured preschool curriculum in the 3 to 5 age range, especially with a kindergarten readiness focus.
• You want enrichment programming (music, gym, language) built into the schedule.
• You want a peer group of same-age children for your child to build friendships with.

How to find a great in-home daycare

• Start with the state licensing database. Every state publishes a search of licensed providers with addresses and inspection histories.
• Cross-check with NAFCC. The National Association for Family Child Care accredits family child care homes; their directory at nafcc.org lists accredited providers.
• Ask for QRIS rating. Most states rate child care quality on a 1 to 5 (or 1 to 4) Quality Rating and Improvement System. A 3-star or higher family provider has been independently quality-rated.
• Look at neighborhood Facebook and Nextdoor groups. Word-of-mouth is unusually strong for family child care.
• Browse our city directory for editorial-curated family child care options where we cover the metro.

Questions to ask on the tour

• How long have you been licensed and operating this program?
• What is your daily schedule? How much outdoor time?
• How do you handle nap time for mixed ages?
• Who is your backup if you are sick or on vacation? How many closure days a year?
• Are you accredited by NAFCC? What is your QRIS rating?
• What is your discipline philosophy? How do you handle biting and conflict?
• Are you CACFP enrolled? What does a typical lunch look like?
• Do you accept the state child care subsidy?
• What is your termination policy? Notice period for tuition increases?
• May I see your written parent handbook?

Red flags

• Unlicensed. "License-exempt" providers are legal in many states but operate without state inspection or background-check requirements. This is a meaningful trade-off; understand it before signing.
• Group size exceeds state limits. If a provider tells you 14 children when state law caps at 12, walk away.
• No written contract. A handshake arrangement protects neither side.
• No backup care plan. What happens when the provider gets the flu?
• Television as default activity. Some screen time is fine; constant TV is not.
• Refusal to share inspection history. It is public record; a provider should be comfortable discussing it.

Bottom line

Licensed family child care is the most under-appreciated child care format in the United States. Smaller groups, consistent caregiver, home setting, lower cost. The trade-offs are real: closure days when the provider is sick, less structured curriculum, and a different fit for children who thrive in larger peer groups. For infant and toddler care especially, in-home daycare deserves an equal slot on your shortlist alongside centers.

For the broader decision framework, see our pillar guide on how to choose a daycare and our comparison of daycare versus home daycare. To project costs for either option, use our cost calculator.