My child is in a daycare, not dayhome right now, but if I was looking I would want:
- safety! 1st aid courses etc.
- time of 7am - 5:30/6ish to allow for parent to work and have time to drop off/pick up.
- Reasonable child to care giver ratio + compatible age ranges of kids
- Hot meal included...snacks can be brought from home or provided
- Basic daily structure...not set in stone. ie: Outdoor time (if weather good), art twice a week, free play for X/hr per day, naps roughly x to x...etc., educational component spread throughout (letter of the week, numbers, colors), no TV, have toys that are rotated for 'freshness' that teach motor and reasoning skills + imagination encouragement (shapes, puzzles, latches, ride em cars)
- Something setting your care apart...ie: Weekly toddler yoga Or spring hatching of chicks Or drum circle....something unique
Then again, I could be a totally over the top parent with mucho expectations. I am curious to what the group says