Daycare Centre for Children – Pros and Cons

So, you have been enjoying motherhood to the hilt by spending time with your little one, taking care of him and tending to his various needs too. But if you are a working mom then this rosy period may have to end soon and you may have to go back to work.

The sheer thought of leaving your baby behind can be daunting for a mother. However, the daycare centre is a good option for parents who, due to work constraints or other reasons, cannot be with their babies. But have you weighed in the pros and cons of daycare yet? In this article, we shall discuss various advantages and disadvantages of a daycare centre and various tips that may help you choose a daycare centre for your child.

What Are the Advantages of Daycare Centres?

Various studies have shown that children benefit greatly from going to a daycare centre, and this holds true for babies and toddlers from 6 months to 4 years of age. Here are some advantages or pros of a daycare centre for children (1) (2) (3) (4):

1. Kids Learn to Socialise

Socialising is one of the great benefits of daycare. Daycare centres are great places for kids to meet other kids; some of the kids may be of the same age, and others may be younger or older. Your child will interact with them on a day-to-day basis, which may help him to master his socialising skills. Your kid may understand and learn the art of making friends, too.

2. Kids Learn to Follow Schedule

Though daycare centres may not impart any formal education, the various activities planned for the children are executed in a structured manner. Your kid may learn how to do things according to the schedule, and this is amongst one of the many benefits of daycare for toddlers.

3. Kids Begin Learning at an Early Age

Daycare centres not only take care of your child but also plan various activities for your kids. These activities help your kid to learn various educational concepts at a young age. There are many daycare centres that may adopt play and learn the concept. Therefore, the importance of daycare in child development cannot be undermined.

4. Smoother Transition to Formal Schooling

Kids who start going to daycare centres may find it easier to adjust to the formal schooling atmosphere. This is because, by the time they are ready to go to kindergarten, they may already be aware of being with same-age group children, following a schedule and other things that may make the transition easier for them.

5. Kids Develop Better Immunity

This is one of the many benefits of daycare for infants. Home is a protected environment and a safe place for your child, but not exposing him to rowdy environmental conditions may not be good for your child’s immunity. A daycare centre is a place where your kid would be interacting with many children. The more the child gets exposed to various strains of flu and cold, the better it is for his immunity.

6. Contentment for the Parents

Every parent wants to be with his/her child, but due to various constraints, this may not always be possible. Therefore, when parents leave their children in a trusted environment where they are assured that their baby will be taken care of and thus they may feel contented and happy.

7. There Is Consistency in Care

When a daycare worker is sick, instead of closing, the facility hires a substitute for the day. This ensures parents have reliable care without disruptions. Seeing the same caregivers every day is beneficial for children. As a parent, you won’t need to worry about finding last-minute care arrangements if someone gets sick. This makes managing your schedule and responsibilities easier.

8. Children Perfect Langauge and Speech

Daycare centers have skilled teachers who know just how to help kids talk better and learn words. They teach kids things like letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. Children are able to practice their language and speech under the orderly guidance. Parents might be busy, but daycare teachers are really good at this stuff.

Now that we have gone through the benefits of daycare for toddlers, here comes the disadvantages.

What Are the Disadvantages of Daycare Centres?

A daycare centre is a great option for your child. However, everything may have some pros and cons. So, is daycare bad for kids? No, daycare is not bad for children, but there are some cons or disadvantages of a daycare centre that are worth looking into:

• Daycares are not cheap. As you go up with the facilities provided, the cost of daycar service increases, too.
• You may have to spend extra money for an extended stay at a daycare centre.
• Some daycare centres may not be functional on holidays; you may have to look for alternate arrangements.
• Sometimes, daycare centres may not permit a sick child.
• Along with other things, your child may be sharing germs, too. This means your kid is more susceptible to catching various kinds of infections and diseases at a daycare centre.
• Daycare is a place where kids from various families and backgrounds may come. Your kid may be learning good things but he is also exposed to various bad habits of other children . Your kid may pick up bad words or habits from other children.
• Daycare centres follow a routine, and sometimes your kid may not adjust well to it, and it may create problems for you, too.
• Your child may be in a noisy atmosphere, and he may not like it.
• Spending time in a daycare centre provides for a less personalised experience in comparison to the services of a nanny.
• Reputed daycares providing the best of care and services often accept limited applications, soaring the competition and waitlisting.

The above-mentioned are some of the drawbacks that you may like to consider before you plan to put your kid in a daycare centre.

Things to Consider While Choosing Daycare for Your Child

How you choose a daycare for kids is important, too. Once you make up your mind about sending your kid to a daycare centre, it is important that you pay heed to the following aspects before choosing a daycare centre for your child (5):

• A daycare centre is not only for taking care of your child; therefore, choose one that may involve your kid in various interactive and educational activities, too.
• Choose a daycare centre that may allow flexibility in terms of time and days.
• It will be a great idea to opt for a centre that may be close to your house so that picking and dropping may become convenient for you.
• Make sure you check the child-caretaker ratio before putting your kid in any daycare centre, the lower the ratio, better it is.
• Make sure the centre is registered or licensed and follows the rules and regulations of a daycare centre.
• There are many options for daycare facilities to choose from, you should choose the one best suited to your family requirements.

FAQs

1. Can I homeschool my child instead of sending them to a daycare?

Yes, you can homeschool your child, but this might not be the one-size-fits-all solution for all parents, as every family has different schedule and needs. If you can provide personalisation to your child, then homeschooling can work out. However, if you are unable to provide highly personalised education all the time, then daycare facility is ideal.

2. What is the major benefit of daycare for children?

One of the major benefits for children is independence. Children learn to be independent and learn to stay away from their primary caregivers, which is usually not in the case of children with no daycare. The need for constant care from parents reduce and children learnt to open up their circle to bring in more people in their trustworthy circle (2).

Sending your kid to a daycare centre can be a tough call for the parents to take. However, there are many good options available too. Make deliberate efforts to choose the daycare centre for your little one.

References/Resources:

1. Daycare Pros and Cons: What Parents Should Know; WonderBaby.org; https://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/daycare-pros-and-cons

2. 5 Benefits of Daycare For Your Child; YMCA; https://lafayettefamilyymca.org/5-benefits-daycare-your-child/

3. Benefits of childcare for your toddler; Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY); https://www.pacey.org.uk/parents/the-best-care-for-your-child/benefits-of-childcare-for-your-toddler/

4. Daycare Benefits for Parents and Childeen; Mandio Montessori of Geneva; https://genevamontessori.org/daycare-benefits-for-parents-and-children/

5. Five steps to choosing childcare; Coram Family and Childcare; https://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/five-steps-choosing-childcare

Also Read: 

Importance of Preschool Education
Preschool Vs Daycare: Which Is Good for Your Child?
Should You Choose a Family Daycare for Your Child
At What Age Can Your Child Go to a Daycare/Childcare Centre?

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