What do you think about daycare?

Question

Do you think daycare is good or bad for children, why? Any comments on daycare? What can daycares improve on?

Answer 1

As a SAHM, I believe that when daycare is basically raising the children, it is a problem, it is not good, and in some ways unhealthy. My niece is behind where she should be at developmentally. She is almost 5 and will soon be in Kindergarten. My four year old has been ahead developmentally since he was 1. I believe that is because he had more contact with a "teacher" and there were fewer in competition for attention. I have already spent more time with my children than working parents will ever spend with their kids during the rest of the growing up time.
I don't care how much "socialzation" the daycare kids are getting, kids who stay at home and get socialized (play dates or MDOs) are better off because they have a better bond with one or both parents, yet are getting the social skills they need.

Answer 2

Coming from a home daycare provier I think daycare is great if it is a structured nurturing daycare. The children in my care are learning alot. I run it more like a preschool we are constantly doing projects and working on our letters. If you are forchanate to find a daycare that will work with your child and not sit them in front of a tv then it is great. Children learn so much from other children in play. It makes them more social and is easier for them when they are older and go into preschool or kindergarden.

Answer 3

I work in a childcare center so I have to say daycare is good. I do agree with some of the other posting that some kids spend 10-12 hours a day there and they really don't get to see their parents too much. Several of my parents will work 12 hour shifts so they can be home with their kids 2 days a week and on weekends.
I think daycare helps kids develop social skills and they learn things for other kids. It prepares them to go to school because they learn good table manners and how to share and take turns. They also develop routines.
I think it's really a parents decision if they want to put their child in daycare or not. If you can, I would stay home with them. But I would also maybe drop them in at a daycare for a couple hours a week just to get them around other kids.

Answer 4

I think daycares are bad for children, they need their mother not some stranger. I have a 2 year old daughter and I would never put her in a daycare, the thought of dropping her off at some place and not seeing her all day is beyond me. I take her to a co-operative playgroup for preschoolers and their parents so she can play with other kids but I am there as well to watch her.

Answer 5

Hi-I'm a mum with twin boys aged 2(conceived through IVF). I recently started putting my boys in daycare 2 days a week (to benefit both mum and boys) I am still struggling with taking them to daycare (As a parent the thought of putting your children's lives into strangers hands is very frightening) My boys however are adjusting rather well (better than mum)
They love to interact with other children and enjoy participating in play with the other children. I can see a dramatic change in them (for the better) since they have started ie: speech, social skills.

However in saying all this, i do have some issues with the way my boys are being looked after and will be taking that up with the centre ie: Hygiene, having no shoes on while playing outside in the yard(we live in a rural area-shoes are a must!)

Let's face it though - no parent will be completely satisfied with the way that someone else looks after your child, because no one can do it better than MUM.

Answer 6

If you choose the right daycare for you and your child then daycare can be a helpful and great opportunity for you and your child. It's a great way for you to ensure your child is in the proper care, and a great way for your child to meet and interact with new children and participate in fun activities.

If there is violence or unacceptable behavior going on in a daycare, other parents should most likely speak up. However, daycare is not a good OR bad choice - it depends on the parents, child and the daycare itself.

Answer 7

I don't personally have anything wrong with daycare, though I have a nanny for my twin boys, and has been with them since they were 8 weeks old (now 2). I recommend that if anything, as they have her complete attention. Also have her schedule play groups so your children can interact with other children. Though I think it is better to stay home if you can but not everyone can do that.

Answer 8

Wait until the child is at least 1 or older before placing in a daycare facility.

Answer 9

i think is a good way to teach them social skills, teaches them to respect others, to share and teaches them to do heaps of stuff aswell as give you a break. I really is great for them. I wont listen to the above comment 'i didnt have children for a stranger to look after them' as the next comment she says the go to a church people 2 time a week. HA HA. Try it and see how it goes. It will be hard to begin with then they will settle down. I have 3. The first two(twins) went in 1 day a week when they were 1 1/2years old, the last one went when she was 2 years, but now stopped as no care avaiable where i am and she is missing out and is very bored. All the best!!! Do whats best for your child

Answer 10

I guess I am prejudiced in the favor of daycares/preschools, since that is my profession. Preschool and high quality daycares can be wonderful for children... encouraging social interaction, speech and language, fostering fine and gross motor skills, enabling children to attempt self-help skills, and developing their cognitive skills. Children who attend high quality daycare/preschool programs can have as much as five years in advancement over children who have not gone to school by the time they enter kindergarten. This is a significant advantage!!
Daycares/preschools have plenty of room for improvement- not all are up to even minimal standards, let alone standards set by exceptional school regualation agencies such as NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). If we could get more daycares up to the highest standards of care and education, it would be most effective for our children. Of course, along with that, daycares would have to give more respect to the daycare providers who serve the children... it is still one of the lowest paid professions. Lower wages= higher staff turnover and lower rate of professionals who stay in the field overall. More respect for the staff (respect for the education of the staff, experience in the field) and higher pay will result in happier staff, who will work harder for the children they serve.