Daycare centers are the most institutional form of childcare. These establishments have a qualified staff, friendly atmosphere and a good educational program fit for toddlers. For these reasons, a lot of parents prefer putting their children in a daycare. Here are some pointers on how to make this option work for you and your toddler.

Help Your Toddler Get Accustomed To The New Environment

Change scares people, especially toddlers who thrive on consistency. Being outside the comforts of your home can frighten your toddler. Hence, it is important that you introduce changes gradually. To ease your toddler’s transition, stay with your little one for the first few days of class with his new caregiver. Most daycare centers allow this to help make the adjustment process easier for the children. Once your toddler is used to his new surroundings, leave for a short time. Then you can extend the time that you are apart.

It is also a good idea to read books or watch videos about starting daycare a few weeks before the class starts so he has some idea what to expect, who he will see and so on.

Provide Comfort Items

A lovey can work as a transitional object which offers a toddler security and familiarity. This can be a teddy bear, blanket, a t-shirt with your scent on it, a small album of family photos or any item that reminds your toddler of home. Make sure you pack at least 1 or 2 comfort items in his bag so he can hold it or look at it whenever he likes.

Connect With Your Toddler

See to it you schedule some bonding time at the end of the day to reconnect with your little one. Talk about his day. Ask him about the fun things he did. Listen to his stories. If he brings home an artwork, take time to look at it, appreciate and ask questions about how he made it. Do not forget to tell him that you missed him and wished you stayed with him during the day. Cuddle him, give him a big hug and a kiss and tell your toddler how much you love him. Your toddler will value the quality time which also helps assure him that you will always be there for him even if you have to be apart for some time.

Build A Good Relationship With Your Toddler’s Childcare

Most of all, make an effort to create a good relationship with the daycare center. This play a huge factor on how successful this childcare option will be for the both of you. Know the daycare center’s policies. Pay your fees on time. Get to know the staff, especially your child’s caregiver. Inform them of your toddler’s routines, any special medical condition, emergency contact numbers or any concerns you have. Make sure your toddler is well-prepared for class – extra clothes, writing and art supplies, etc. Pick up your toddler on time.

A daycare center is an excellent childcare option where toddlers stay safe and enhance their leaning while at the same time allowing parents to go back to work or take a short breather. These tips will ensure you keep your end of the bargain and make everyone happy.

The big question of whether or not to pursue early childhood education is one of the many issues parents of toddlers consider. These days, a lot of parents send their children to school at an early age. In particular, moms and dads might be thinking about the option of day care and preschool. But, the question remains, which option truly maximizes a toddler’s potential?

To send your toddler to a day care or preschool is one tough decision to make. As a parent, you want what is best not only for your little one but as well as for your family. Although both are synonymous, each of these options present diverse advantages and disadvantages. To help you out, here is a comparison for day care vs. preschool.

Day Care or Preschool – A Comparison

Day Care

Day care, also known as childcare entails the supervision of a toddler during the day by another individual other than the legal guardians (parents) of the toddler. It acts as a program wherein parents who work can entrust their toddlers to professional child handlers. Childcare can be given at the toddler’s home where a nanny is responsible for the toddler’s welfare. It can also be done in nurseries such as day care centers where qualified and highly trained caregivers are present. Its main obligation is to keep toddlers amused, well fed and rested. At the same time, it offers motivating activities that can help boost the overall development of toddlers.

Advantages

• At an early age, your toddler learns how to interact with his peers increasing his self-confidence.
• Through social interaction, your toddler’s speech and language development rapidly progresses.
• Motor and cognitive skills are boosted through the help of stimulating exercises.
• Safety and security is provided by this child friendly environment.
• Personal attention is being given, eliminating the chances of your toddler to feel neglected.
• Learns how to follow and obey simple rules.
• Helps your toddler adjust better in new environments.

Disadvantages

• 100% one on one personal attention may not be given due to the number of kids present in the day care.
• Style of childcare and way of discipline might be different from your own.
• Your toddler can easily acquire diseases and infections since children are less immune to viruses.

Why choose day care?

If you work long hours during the day, then getting your little one to go to a day care makes more sense. It is very practical since it has longer hours of operation as compared to preschools. If your toddler is still 1 or 2 years old, sending him to a day care is more realistic since playtime is still his preferred activity. Learning activities are incorporated into fun exercises that can help boost his mental, cognitive and physical development.

Preschool

A preschool targets toddlers who are between ages 2 to 5. A preschool involves a structured educational program that provides young toddlers a solid foundation for learning. It also functions as a preparation for kindergarten and elementary schooling.

Advantages

• More focused on learning rather than entertainment.
• Its curriculum is organized around a more definite educational approach.
• Has a smaller number of children per class ensuring one on one attention and care.
• Teachers are highly trained.
• Gains better exposure to different types of activities and materials, hence, achieving an optimized development at an early age.
• Thinking skills are honed which is essential to your toddler’s being.

Disadvantages

• Negative social skills can be acquired when not monitored properly.
• Can get sick more often due to unlimited exposure to viruses.
• Tuition fee is more expensive as compared to day care centers.

Why choose preschool?

If you want your toddler to be ready for the coming school years, enrolling him to a preschool can help him gain exposure to different types of activities and situations. He learns faster through the help of the preschool’s structured course. He gets to learn how to adapt, adjust and interact at an early age.

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing between a day care and a preschool is how comfortable your toddler feels in his new environment. After all, your toddler will spend a lot of his time there. In this way, you get to be at ease that he gets all the right leisure and nurturing he needs even when you are away.

For parents, especially those with careers, a day care center is often the most traditional and beneficial option for toddler childcare. A lot of positive benefits for both parents and toddlers are given by these centers. In addition for your toddler being safe while you are away, day care centers offer quality childcare since they are well equipped and more capable in understanding the development of toddlers.

Parents struggle over the issue of sending their toddler to a day care center especially because they feel guilty that a stranger will lookout for them while they are away. However, day care has proven to be an effective means of not just keeping toddlers secure. It has constantly offered paramount childcare to many. There are various advantages of day care centers to toddlers keeping them happy, healthy and well developed.

Benefits of Day Care Centers

Excellent Introduction For Early Education

The primary advantage of day care centers to toddlers is that it helps toddlers enter pre-school. The early education preparation offered by these services gives time and space for toddlers to learn minus the stress. Day care centers are equipped with extensive books, activities and other educational resources as well. Also, toddlers get assistance to accomplish their tasks easier since they are guided by tutors. Basic lessons include the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and animals, recognition of sound, drawing, reading and writing. Learning is also presented through fun activities by holding music, arts and craft shows, a classroom painting contest, or seasonal plays. These improves young toddlers’ capability to retain, memorize and comprehend simple lessons.

Develops Social Skills

Interaction is necessary to help toddler’s fully achieve proper development. A day care gives toddlers excellent exposure that is essential in building and forming friendships. Since other toddlers are present in day care centers, they get to learn how to interact with each other. Young children get the chance to play and make friends. They also learn how to get along, share and take turns with one another.

Provides Structure

Structure is something toddlers always look for. They want stability and consistency. Knowing what to do and what happens next provides them comfort. When they know what to expect, most likely they have a clear idea of what is expected of them as well. The structure day care centers offer give toddlers security which makes them feel relaxed and secured allowing them to function properly. Snacks and nap time are common routines ensuring healthy eating habits and improved sleeping habits.

Minimizes Separation Anxiety

Toddlers who went to day care centers are more prepared when it is time for them to go to school. Day care helps them get ready for school and once they are, parents will likely have fewer problems when it comes to separation anxiety. Tantrums can be easily stopped. No more fear of being alone, getting terrified with teachers and can easily socialize with other peers.

Safe and Secure

As compared to babysitters or nannies, day care centers offers toddlers security. Parents no longer have to worry every hour about their child’s welfare. These centers are child-proof and are equipped with trained staff and services making them more reliable.

Daycare exposes toddlers to a school like environment. The development skills some children may learn in day care centers can also train them for the skills that they will discover when they start preschool and kindergarten.