Choosing a child day care center

The day care concept is not new. It dates back to 1854 when New York City provided day nursery facilities for unwed mothers required to work as wet nurses. By the end of the 19th century, Maria Montessori began teaching three, four and five year olds in such day care centers, beginning a movement in pre-school education that is still popular today. As the times changed, so did the appeal of and interest in day care. The economic and defense necessities of World War II sparked a re-birth of day care because many young women took the desk and factory positions formerly occupied by men who were at war. Today, women are working due to financial need and by choice. The result is that two-thirds of American households have children regularly cared for by someone other than the core family of parents and siblings.

Facilities can be found for children of all ages. Infants and toddlers require more attention and should have a least one staff person for every four children. By the age of three, most children will have moved beyond the period of independent play and are ready to begin playing with other children about their own age. By the time the child is three and four; they have a fair language ability as some are also potty trained. This is a good age to start children in day care center where there are fewer staff members.

The major concern that vexes most parents is how the experience will affect their child. Within this concern are two separate questions: Will day care adversely affect my child’s health? And, what impact will it have on development including intellectual, social, and emotional maturation?

There is no doubt that children in day care have greater chances for exposure to many, many germs. The more the number of children the child is exposed to the more likely he or she is to acquire an illness. This is an issue that should be important for the facilities care providers; precautions should be taken to help prevent the spread of germs for every child’s safety.

Children in day care center learn at a rapid rate. They also learn to cope with separation from their parents by spending part of the day away from home. To help ease the shock of this separation, parents should introduce their children to the day-care center gradually. Spending a few hours a day there and gradually increasing this time often helps. Many younger siblings usually have much less trouble if an older brother or sister is already there. Children who learn to accept this separation from their parents will usually make a smooth transition to the full-day separation that usually accompanies first grade.

Ultimately, all children return home. The best scenario for parents is to discuss with their children what happened during the day and reinforce any experiences that are comparable with your values and explaining any differences to any that are not.

In reviewing day care centers there are considerations that should be looked at, such as the types of day care centers available. Cost is an important issue, the environment your child will be in, the program philosophy and any and all health policies.

There are many different types of childcare. The basic childcare arrangement is in your home by a relative, a live-in employee, or a home baby sitter. You may decide on care in another persons home, also known as family home care, or care in a group typed of care center. Facilities range from a neighbor’s home to an elaborate institution. Licensing is required in all states, but vary upon state. Always check with local and state officials for licensing requirements, and check with the facility to make sure they are licensed.

Costs may vary considerable, but the most expensive option is often a home baby sitter. Location is very important. In today’s society there is usually three to four people in one household that must be in three to four different locations all at the same time. So location is an important issue, you should look for locations in route to work.

Most important in day care are the staff, their experience, philosophy, diversity, compatibility and, of course, the amount of staff available. Most importantly, the staff members should be willing to sit down with you and discuss the individual needs of your child. The most useful way to evaluate a day care center is to observe children’s behavior there. That will give you a good idea on how it is run. Talk to the staff about the role of parents as participants in the childcare. After choosing a day care program, plan on frequent conversations with the teachers to ensure that your child’s needs are being met.