kids playing

What are the pros and cons of daycare?

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Each year, millions of parents across the country are faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to enrol their child(ren) in a daycare programme. The demand for daycare centres has skyrocketed alongside the rise in the share of families in which both parents work outside the home. It's possible that these families don't have any close relatives who are either willing or able to help out with child care. It's possible that some households have a member who must do work during the day, but who would like to enjoy quiet time at home. Daycare centres often have different pricing structures for full-day care versus half-day care or for full-week care versus partial-week care. Each family can tailor the daycare's offerings to their specific requirements this way.

    Daycare has the potential to be both a positive and negative experience for both you and your child. Most developmental psychologists would agree that one's upbringing and experiences in infancy and toddlerhood have a significant impact on one's maturation and growth. Your child's initial exposure to youngsters of a similar age, to a structured setting, and to time spent apart from you will occur at daycare. This is a life-changing event that could shape your kid's outlook on school, social life, and even his or her sense of identity and self-worth in the future. Because of this, picking a reliable daycare is crucial. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child enjoys their time at daycare, giving them the best possible foundation from which to tackle the larger obstacles they will inevitably face in their future.

    So, you have been loving every minute of motherhood, doting on your baby and meeting all of his requirements. However, if you are a working mother, it's possible that this bright time will soon come to an end and you'll have to return to the workforce.

    ​​The very idea of being separated from her baby can be heartbreaking for a mother. However, for parents who cannot take care of their newborns themselves, whether because of work or other obligations, the childcare centre is an excellent alternative. We'll go through some of the pros and cons of using a daycare centre and offer some advice that can be useful as you look for care for your child.

    Here at My Baby Nursery, we carry several different types of playpens to suit your needs.

    The Benefits of Daycare Centers

    The majority of research indicates that children, particularly those between the ages of 6 months and 4 years, benefit considerably from attending a childcare centre. The benefits of sending your child to a daycare centre include:

    kid playing

    Children Develop Their Social Skills

    Children of all ages can socialise and develop friendships in a daycare centre, not only those of similar ages. Your youngster will be able to practise his social skills on a daily basis with these people. The ability to relate to others is a skill that your child may pick up.

    A Regular Routine is Instilled in Children

    Daycares may not provide academic instruction, but the activities for the kids are nonetheless carried out in a methodical fashion. One of the numerous advantages of childcare for toddlers is that your child may learn to follow a schedule.

    Kids Begin Learning at an Early Age

    Daycare centres provide a safe and stimulating environment for your child while you are at work. Your child can benefit from these early learning opportunities in a variety of subject areas. Play and learn is an idea that may be used by many daycares. As a result, daycare's contribution to kids' growth is something that must be acknowledged.

    Facilitate the Change to a Formal School Setting

    Daycare centres can help prepare children for the structure of elementary school. This is because, by the time they are ready for kindergarten, they may have learned the value of following a routine, interacting with peers of a similar age, and other skills that will help them succeed in a formal school setting.

    Increased Immunity in Children

    The advantages of childcare for newborns include these, among others. Your home is a secure haven for your child, but he or she may not develop a strong immune system if they are never exposed to less tranquil settings. A daycare centre is a great way to introduce your child to a wide variety of peers. In order to build up his immunity, a youngster should be exposed to as many different types of cold and flu viruses as possible.

    Contentment for the Parents

    Each parent longs to spend time with their kid, yet circumstances may prevent this from happening. Therefore, parents may feel content and pleased while leaving their children in a reliable setting where they know their child will be cared for.

    The Drawbacks of Daycare Centers

    Daycare has several benefits, including providing your child with opportunities to interact with children her own age, expose her to new music and activities, and encourage her intellectual and social development. Your little diva may learn a lot of great new things at daycare, but she may also bring home some habits or behaviours that you'd rather she didn't pick up.

    Illness

    It's common knowledge that children are notoriously careless about their personal hygiene and will share anything, including germs. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in December 2012 found that children in group child care settings are more likely to contract infectious diseases such colds, ear infections, and other respiratory disorders. The good news is that the study suggests that kids who start off their lives in a childcare setting are more likely to have healthier immune systems as they grow up and spend more time in primary school.

    Learned Behaviours

    Your child is like a sponge, ready to soak up knowledge and experience from her daycare setting. Be prepared for her to show off her progress in language acquisition by reciting a list of new words she's learned or demonstrating an increased familiarity with the alphabet, shapes, and colours. The disadvantage of daycare is that it can be a place where children pick up bad habits from each other, such as fighting, outbursts, and the use of foul language. Remember that you have the capacity to rectify any troublesome behaviour in your child, even if influences at daycare do turn your adorable cherub into a handful. You can get some practice coping with the kinds of real-world influences you'll face as a parent by retraining against negative habits picked up at daycare.

    Reduced Interaction Among Adults

    One potential drawback of sending your child to daycare is that she may not get as much one-on-one adult attention as she would at home. She is also safe and sound at home with you or the other parent. A high-needs child could make this a challenging time for the whole family. Please don't freak out, as this feature may actually promote healthy levels of independence and free play if used correctly. If you're worried about this, it can be worth it to find a daycare where the ratio of kids to workers is smaller. That way, the kids will get more one-on-one care.

    Guidelines and Restrictions

    Regardless of the daycare you end up with, you'll inevitably have to comply with some restrictions with which you may not agree. These may be general or facility-specific rules imposed by the state or municipality where the facility is located. You might, for instance, have a regular schedule wherein you eat lunch at 1:00 and then take a two-hour siesta between 2:00 and 3:00. If your child's daycare centre serves lunch at 11:30 a.m. and puts everyone down for a nap at noon, you may go a little crazy, but your child will have to adjust.

    View our selection of baby playpens here at My Baby Nursery.

    FAQS About Daycare Centers

    Although infants can start daycare at 6 weeks, many experts agree that the longer you can wait, the better. This allows time for the establishment of a secure attachment with your child, complete healing of the umbilical cord, figuring out feeding and sleep patterns, and adjusting to a new life together.

    Starting daycare can be a stressful time, for both babies and parents alike. Some babies will adapt quickly, while others will cry every morning for many weeks.

    Childcare helps support parents in their social and professional endeavours whilst assisting children in reaching important developmental milestones.

    They use positive reinforcement.

    So daycares will often praise a toddler for taking a nap or staying in their bed. They may also give them a small reward, like a sticker or a piece of candy, after a successful nap. This helps the toddler understand that napping is a good thing and something to be proud of.

    In theory, yes. Once your child has been exposed to a virus, their immune system programs itself to fight it off next time. They develop antibodies to combat that particular virus strain.

    Why Daycare?

    A daycare centre is a place where your child can spend the day while you go to work, perform errands, or tend to your business. It can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking trying to find a reliable nanny or babysitter in today's world. You always run the risk of hiring someone who won't treat your child with the love and respect you expect. In the absence of a suitable sitter, working parents often have to resort to sending their child to daycare. A child's daycare provides for more than just their physical and mental well-being; they also provide for their emotional and social development. Marlborough's daycare centres provide children with a secure environment in which to explore their interests, make new friends, and have loads of fun every day.

    For healthy growth and development, kids require both physical and mental challenges. Your child will have access to these experiences and gain confidence, self-esteem, and social skills at a daycare centre. Children have boundless amounts of energy; they develop important skills like balance, agility, and motor coordination as they jump, play and run. Choosing a daycare like Daycare Marlborough, which has a huge playground and kiddie gym, will provide your child a positive experience and make them look forward to going to daycare every day. Young children benefit greatly from having access to learning activities while at daycare. Young children can pick up on the names of colours, sounds, letters, and numbers through songs and games without realising it. They won't see anything except a humorous and exciting experience.

    When our mothers were at home, we spent much of our time in the park or in the sandbox with other kids our age. The parks are no longer safe places to play and the sandboxes have been abandoned for years. Marlborough day care centres provide a setting where children may socialise and acquire valuable social skills including cooperation, negotiation, sharing, and compromise in a safe and nurturing environment. Your child will always be able to find other children of a similar age at a childcare centre, guaranteeing that he or she will never be bored.

    Daycares also serve as an early platform for teaching children about cultural diversity; having friends of diverse backgrounds helps them understand that we are all the same underneath. Instead, it is our individual identities that matter. Marlborough Daycare is an inclusive environment that welcomes children of all backgrounds and teaches them to value and respect diversity. Daycares are in a prime position to teach children to be resilient and accepting of others' differences in the face of the hatred that permeates our world today.

    The most effective form of education for kids is one that encourages them to discover things on their own and express their natural curiosity. The child-friendly environment at the Marlborough daycare is planned to foster children's natural curiosity by giving them plenty of chances to discover new things on their own, prompting them to ask questions and elicit answers. Many of the toys in their play areas have been carefully selected to promote early childhood development; for instance, their construction sets are more than just plain old wooden blocks; they also have bright colours, different textures, and fun sounds to stimulate the child's senses.

    pexels cottonbro studio 3661351

    Why Not Daycare?

    Both parents and children benefit from daycare, as the former get some much-needed alone time while the latter enjoy fun while their parents are away at work or on business. On the other hand, there are many who do not see the value of childcare, usually because of their own poor experiences or those of their friends and family. If a parent believes that they can do a better job of caring for their child than the daycare can, then they should not have to worry about sending their child to daycare. Do not put your child in daycare if you are able to work from home or if you have someone you trust to look after your child while you are away. Daycare centres are excellent places to shape and educate young children because of the environment they provide. When you enrol your kid in a Marlborough daycare, you can rest assured that they will receive the highest quality of care and affection possible.

    What to Think About When Choosing a Daycare Center for Your Child

    When deciding on a daycare centre for your child, you should take into account the following criteria:

    • If you're looking for a daycare centre for your child, make sure to pick one that offers more than just basic care and is able to engage your child in a wide range of fun and educational activities.
    • Pick a daycare that's open to being flexible with your schedule.
    • Picking a centre that is convenient for you in terms of travel time will make dropping off and picking up your child much less of a hassle.
    • When choosing a childcare facility for your child, it is important to consider the ratio of children to carers; a smaller ratio is preferable.
    • Verify that the facility is licenced and complies with all applicable daycare regulations.
    • There is a wide variety of daycare centres from which to pick the one that is ideal for your family.

    It's not always an easy choice for parents to put their child in a daycare centre. But there are also plenty of excellent alternatives to consider. Selecting a daycare for your child should be a priority, so take your time.

    Having both parents work during the day means that there would be less time for the parents to spend with their children. There's no way to get that time back once you've spent it away from your kids, as every parent knows. "There are days my kid comes home with wonderful art projects and I wish I had been the one to sit and paint it with her," laments Danielle, a mother from Park Ridge, New Jersey.

    We can't keep our kids safe from harm forever, but it's disheartening to see them imitate their friends' bad behaviour at daycare. Your youngster may start imitating what you say and do as early as 18 months. Your child may interpret aggressive actions, such as biting or punching, as a means to get the attention of the daycare workers if he or she is the only child at the centre who isn't behaving well. Immediately inform the staff if you see any changes in your child's behaviour since starting daycare. Don't come in accusing other families or children or the staff; instead, approach them as a concerned parent.

    No matter how confident or uncertain you are about using daycare services, there are steps you may take to find a good fit. Finding a good daycare centre is easiest when you get recommendations from people you know. Parental contentment usually coincides with a child's level of happiness. One of the most important criteria should be whether or not many other local parents use the same daycare. Travel to each potential daycare and enquire about their safety measures. You should enquire if there is a nurse on duty and if the employees have received training in CPR. Inquire about the approach taken with kids that have behavioural issues. If your child is having trouble adjusting to the new routine or is exposed to other problematic behaviours, you may wish to ensure that the staff handles these circumstances with care and concern.

    My Baby Nursery carries a wide selection of playpens perfect for babies.

    When All Is Said and Done

    There is a decline in care quality when one person is responsible for too many children, which is why reputable institutions work hard to maintain manageable ratios of teachers to students. Having multiple educators at each centre also allows them to provide mutual support.

    The ratio of teachers to students is kept low at good daycares.

    When there are fewer children around, it's simpler to provide individual attention and react quickly to their needs.

    Organization suggests:

    • There should be one adult present for every three babies in a group of six infants, and one for every four infants in a group of eight babies. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, there should be no more than eight infants in a group.
    • There is one adult supervising three kids in a group of six, one adult supervising four kids in a group of eight, one adult supervising five kids in a group of 10, and one adult supervising six kids in a group of 12. No more than 12 youngsters should be in a group.

    Unless seeking NAEYC accreditation, a daycare centre is under no obligation to adhere to these ratios. However, facilities must at least adhere to varying state criteria. When comparing centres, the closer they are to the NAEYC's recommended ratios, the better.

    Conclusion

    Millions of parents across the country are faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to enrol their child(ren) in a daycare programme. The demand for daycare centres has skyrocketed alongside the rise in the share of families in which both parents work outside the home. Here, we go through some of the pros and cons of using a childcare centre. Daycare centres provide a safe and stimulating environment for your child while you are at work. Your child can benefit from these early learning opportunities in a variety of subject areas.

    By the time they are ready for kindergarten, they may have learned the value of following a routine and interacting with peers of a similar age. Daycare provides your child with opportunities to interact with children her own age, expose her to new music and activities, and encourage her intellectual and social development. The disadvantage of daycare is that it can be a place where children pick up bad habits from each other. Daycare centres provide children with a secure environment in which to explore their interests, make new friends, and have loads of fun every day. Choosing a daycare like Daycare Marlborough, which has a huge playground and kiddie gym, will provide your child a positive experience.

    Marlborough day care centres provide a setting where children acquire valuable social skills including cooperation, negotiation, sharing, and compromise in a safe and nurturing environment. Daycares are in a prime position to teach children to be resilient and accepting of others' differences in the face of the hatred that permeates our world today. Selecting a daycare for your child should be a priority, so take your time. Make sure to pick a centre that is able to engage your child in a wide range of fun and educational activities. Verify that the facility is licenced and complies with all applicable daycare regulations.

    Finding a good daycare centre is easiest when you get recommendations from people you know. You should enquire if there is a nurse on duty and if the employees have received training in CPR. If your child is having trouble adjusting to the new routine or is exposed to other problematic behaviours, you may wish to ensure that the staff handle these circumstances with care.

    Content Summary

    • Each year, millions of parents across the country are faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to enrol their child(ren) in a daycare programme.
    • The demand for daycare centres has skyrocketed alongside the rise in the share of families in which both parents work outside the home.
    • Daycare has the potential to be both a positive and negative experience for both you and your child.
    • Your child's initial exposure to youngsters of a similar age, to a structured setting, and to time spent apart from you will occur at daycare.
    • Because of this, picking a reliable daycare is crucial.
    • However, for parents who cannot take care of their newborns themselves, whether because of work or other obligations, the childcare centre is an excellent alternative.
    • We'll go through some of the pros and cons of using a daycare centre and offer some advice that can be useful as you look for care for your child.
    • The benefits of sending your child to a daycare centre include:
    • Children of all ages can socialise and develop friendships in a daycare centre, not only those of similar ages.
    • One of the numerous advantages of childcare for toddlers is that your child may learn to follow a schedule.
    • Your child can benefit from these early learning opportunities in a variety of subject areas.
    • A daycare centre is a great way to introduce your child to a wide variety of peers.
    • Daycare has several benefits, including providing your child with opportunities to interact with children her own age, expose her to new music and activities, and encourage her intellectual and social development.
    • Your little diva may learn a lot of great new things at daycare, but she may also bring home some habits or behaviours that you'd rather she didn't pick up.
    • The disadvantage of daycare is that it can be a place where children pick up bad habits from each other, such as fighting, outbursts, and the use of foul language.
    • Remember that you have the capacity to rectify any troublesome behaviour in your child, even if influences at daycare do turn your adorable cherub into a handful.
    • One potential drawback of sending your child to daycare is that she may not get as much one-on-one adult attention as she would at home.
    • If you're worried about this, it can be worth it to find a daycare where the ratio of kids to workers is smaller.
    • Regardless of the daycare you end up with, you'll inevitably have to comply with some restrictions with which you may not agree.
    • If your child's daycare centre serves lunch at 11:30 a.m. and puts everyone down for a nap at noon, you may go a little crazy, but your child will have to adjust.
    • A daycare centre is a place where your child can spend the day while you go to work, perform errands, or tend to your business.
    • It can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking trying to find a reliable nanny or babysitter in today's world.
    • Your child will have access to these experiences and gain confidence, self-esteem, and social skills at a daycare centre.
    • Choosing a daycare like Daycare Marlborough, which has a huge playground and kiddie gym, will provide your child a positive experience and make them look forward to going to daycare every day.
    • Young children benefit greatly from having access to learning activities while at daycare.
    • Marlborough day care centres provide a setting where children may socialise and acquire valuable social skills including cooperation, negotiation, sharing, and compromise in a safe and nurturing environment.
    • Marlborough Daycare is an inclusive environment that welcomes children of all backgrounds and teaches them to value and respect diversity.
    • Daycares are in a prime position to teach children to be resilient and accepting of others' differences in the face of the hatred that permeates our world today.
    • The most effective form of education for kids is one that encourages them to discover things on their own and express their natural curiosity.
    • The child-friendly environment at the Marlborough daycare is planned to foster children's natural curiosity by giving them plenty of chances to discover new things on their own, prompting them to ask questions and elicit answers.
    • On the other hand, there are many who do not see the value of childcare, usually because of their own poor experiences or those of their friends and family.
    • Do not put your child in daycare if you are able to work from home or if you have someone you trust to look after your child while you are away.
    • Daycare centres are excellent places to shape and educate young children because of the environment they provide.
    • When you enrol your kid in a Marlborough daycare, you can rest assured that they will receive the highest quality of care and affection possible.
    • When deciding on a daycare centre for your child, you should take into account the following criteria: If you're looking for a daycare centre for your child, make sure to pick one that offers more than just basic care and is able to engage your child in a wide range of fun and educational activities.
    • Pick a daycare that's open to being flexible with your schedule.
    • Picking a centre that is convenient for you in terms of travel time will make dropping off and picking up your child much less of a hassle.
    • Selecting a daycare for your child should be a priority, so take your time.
    • Don't come in accusing other families or children or the staff; instead, approach them as a concerned parent.
    • No matter how confident or uncertain you are about using daycare services, there are steps you may take to find a good fit.
    • Finding a good daycare centre is easiest when you get recommendations from people you know.
    • Inquire about the approach taken with kids that have behavioural issues.
    • The ratio of teachers to students is kept low at good daycares.
    Scroll to Top