Daycare can be a necessity for working parents who need child care during the day, but finding the right daycare setting can be difficult. And it's easy to feel guilty about leaving young children under someone else's care for all or part of the day. But daycare can offer some advantages for parents and children alike, as long as the daycare providers focus on education and healthy development and create a secure and nurturing setting.
Types
Daycare opportunities tend to fall into two categories: a home daycare setting or a school-like setting where children are usually divided into "classrooms" based on age. A school-like daycare might have an infant room for children who aren't yet walking or who are just learning to walk; a room for children who are walking; a room where potty training can begin; and rooms for 3- and 4-year-olds. A room for 4- and 5-year-olds who are not in kindergarten might be considered a prekindergarten class and focus on skills such as letters, numbers, writing, reading, cutting with scissors and other school-related activities. Home daycare settings tend to have fewer children. All states have daycare regulations regarding the ratio of teachers to children, safety, cleanliness, the certification of teachers and the licensing of daycare businesses.
Benefits
The benefits of a good daycare include socialization, school readiness and even long-term academic success, according to research by the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. According to the NIH, tests of cognitive and academic achievement in the teen years reflect that kids in high-quality daycare programs scored high in those areas. In particular, students from high-quality daycare settings did much better than those from poor-quality daycare.
Considerations
Finding good daycare that is affordable and conveniently located near your work or home can be a challenge in many places. Word of mouth often is the best way to find out which daycare centers are good and which ones to avoid. You also should contact your state's Department of Professional Regulations or your local business licensing office--check with your county's or city's clerk of courts--to find out about inspections and any violations or penalties associated with your potential daycare provider.
Misconceptions
A structured daycare program can help young children prepare for kindergarten and beyond by teaching them skills ranging from taking turns and raising a hand to early reading and math skills. But according to a Minnesota study reported by Reuters News Service in 2010, daycare programs that are too structured and rely on rote learning, instead of allowing time for free and creative play were not positive influences on children. The researchers found that many children had increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol when daycare teachers were too intrusive and playtime was kept to a minimum.
Expert Insight
According to the University of Missouri Extension Office, high-quality daycare can have a positive impact on a student's language and social skills. Teachers who have had training in early-child development can be better able than parents to help children develop some school-related skills. The Extension Office notes that licensed caregivers in Missouri, for example, must get regular continuing education. Most states have similar requirements.
