How to Select Day Care for Children

Deciding whether to send children to day care or to have one parent stay home with the children is an individual matter. What is best for one family may not be the best for another family. However, parents are depending more and more on full-time day care for their children. Choosing the care that's right for both parents and their children is not an easy task. Many things must be considered before a particular type of day care is chosen. Parents must consider cost, location, services provided and the specific needs of their children before a particular type of day care is chosen.

There have been many studies looking at how day care affects young children. In recent years, some professionals thought that children placed in day care didn't develop as well physically, emotionally, or intellectually as children who remained at home with one parent.

There is no conclusive evidence that day care, in and of itself, has a negative effect on children's social, personality, or intellectual growth. In fact, recent studies have found that good, high-quality day care can have some positive effects on children and their working mothers.

Working mothers vs. stay at home mothers. There is no difference between the school achievement, IQ test scores, and social, emotional, and language development of children with working mothers and children whose mothers do not work outside of the home.

Stay-at-home mothers report having just as many problems with their children as working mothers.

Quality time. A recent research study suggests that many working parents often spend just as much time directly interacting with their children as parents in families in which only one parent works.

High-quality, well-organized day care can promote the well-being of both children and their working mothers.

The controversy continues. However, most professionals now believe that high-quality day care in and of itself does not negatively affect children's intellectual, social, or emotional development. Rather, factors such as the family environment and the quality of day care have a much greater effect on children's well-being.

Types Of Day Care

There are many different types of day care. The cost and services provided differ from one to another. Here is an overview of some of the most frequently used types of full-time day care.

In-Home Care

This type of child care is considered to be one of the best types of care for children under three years old. A caregiver is hired to take care of children in the children's homes. Some caregivers work during the day only, and some live in. Some do light housekeeping and some don't. Situations vary, depending on the needs of the parents and their children.

Advantages of In-Home Care

• Children remain in familiar surroundings.
• Parents personally choose their children's caregiver.
• Children are not exposed to the illnesses of other children.
• If sick, children can be cared for at home.
• Care is often available on evenings and weekends. Hours are flexible.
• Many caregivers will do light housework in addition to child care duties.
• No transportation is necessary.
• Children have the complete attention of the caregiver.
• There is an opportunity for children to develop close relationships with their caregiver.

Disadvantages of In-Home Care