Daycare for children: Tips, benefits for children, and dos and don'ts for parents

Are you a parent who feels guilty about putting your child in daycare? Do you wonder how sending your child to daycare for the first time will affect her physically and emotionally?

Well, you aren't the only parent to lose sleep over such questions. In fact, most parents fret over leaving their child in a daycare center. With our society changing rapidly, Indians are waking up to the need for childcare services. And, like the West, formal daycare centers or creche facilities are becoming common in India.

Many of these centers not only provide basic childcare services but also help with early learning. So, they have a significant impact on the overall development of a child.

The article, 'Current research on childcare effects', published in the Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development', says that there are both advantages and disadvantages of putting your child in daycare. One study found that leaving children less than 4.5 years old for a long time in a daycare centre led to behavioural problems. But, other studies have revealed that good quality crche facilities promote cognitive development and enhance learning skills.

However, good daycare centres that encourage language learning, engage in activities to promote development and teach basic math skills are very few. And, they have to cope with the problem of overcrowding. So, to find a quality daycare centre for your child, you have to start your search early - at least a couple of months before you actually enrol him. Here are a few tips to help you find the best daycare near you.

Types of daycare centers

While looking for the best daycare center near you, keep in mind your child's age and the kind of childcare services you need. Here are the different types of daycare centers:

• Babycare centers that take care of children who are yet to cross developmental milestones
• Long daycare centers for children of working parents
• Nursery care for toddlers
• Preparatory schools for children between three and six years old
• Before/after school care centers for children up to 12 years old; are also open on no-school days

Most daycare centers in India are either run by schools or even by individuals in their homes. Some daycare chains providing quality childcare services like KLAY Daycare, Footprints, and WeCare have also entered the market in recent years.

Things to consider when sending your child to daycare

We don't live in a perfect world and this applies to daycare centers as well. There are gaps in the policies of every childcare facility. However, here are a few things on which you shouldn't compromise:

Safety of the child

Before enrolling your child for daycare, check the license and accreditation of the childcare facility. Review the policies of the center to understand how they ensure the safety of children. This includes matters such as precautions while taking children out for walks or short trips, handing over the child to persons authorized by parents, sick-child policy, and so on.

Teacher/caregiver support

For your child to feel comfortable and develop well, encouragement and support from the daycare center staff is a must. So, get to know the teachers and other staff well. Ask about information such as teachers' qualifications, how long they have been in service, and their philosophy on disciplining, handling picky eaters, and dealing with tantrums.

Caregiver and child ratio

This depends on the age group of the children. Ideally, an attendant in a childcare facility should take care of 3 to 5 toddlers at a time. At the preschool stage, a single teacher or attendant can take care of 10 to 15 children.

General hygiene

Maintaining hygiene in a daycare center is important to reduce the chances of children falling sick. Check if the center makes it a rule to clean the floors with disinfectant every day. Do they tidy up the place after the day's play is over and clean the toys regularly? Also, check the cleanliness and hygiene of sanitary accessories for children. Verify if the staff sticks to hygienic practices while providing food and snacks to children. Ask to know the source of their cooking ingredients and methods to ensure the food is hygienic and nutritious for young children. Also, inspect the kitchens, toilets, and the workspace to be sure of the cleanliness practices followed by the staff.

Child's comfort levels

Is your child comfortable in the presence of strangers, especially when you aren't around? If left with toys, would she spend time alone? Is she toilet-trained? If the answer to these questions is a 'No', do not rush things. Think of enrolling your child in daycare only when she is fully prepared. Ideally, your child should be at least 1 year old before you consider enrolling him in daycare. By this time, he would be on solid foods, potty-trained, express his needs better, and handle long hours of separation from his parents.

Daycare fees

The payment policies and amount differ, depending on the type of daycare and the services provided. Some follow a monthly payment system while others have a yearly payment system. Some even charge for a term. The high-end daycare centers usually charge around Rs 7,000 to 10,000 per month, apart from a registration fee of around Rs 4,000 to 5,000. However, it is best to check with the centers to get clarity on their pricing policies. Certain childcare facilities charge on the basis of the number of hours the child spends at the center. The figure is usually around Rs 100 to Rs 150 per hour. Do these charges fit into your budget?

If any of the above-mentioned factors are out of line with your child's needs and yours, think deeply about whether you would be willing to compromise. If not, then move on to the next childcare facility on your list.

Benefits of daycare for children

A good daycare center not only takes care of your child but also uses various activities to teach and develop different skills. Some benefits of putting your child in daycare are:

1. Toddlers in daycare learn the basics of academics such as letters of the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, and so on through primers, toys, and games.

2. By using various toy-based and group activities, the trained staff can help your child develop:

• cognitive skills
• social skills
• fine and gross motor skills

3. Socialising with other children enhances your child's communication skills.

4. Going to a daycare center makes your child's transition to preschool much easier.

5. When encouraged by caregivers, your child would be more willing to try new foods and stop being a picky eater.

6. The structured environment in a daycare center keeps your child occupied and decreases the chances of developing erratic behavior.

Tips to choose the best daycare center

It is always a good idea to ask for references from friends and acquaintances who have availed the services of a childcare center. They can tip you off on the facilities, policies, and efficacy of a center. But, to narrow down your search and find the best daycare center near you, keep in mind these criteria:

• Look for a daycare center that is close to your home or workplace.
• Enquire about the reputation of the childcare facility. A center with a warm environment will be perfect.
• Read the childcare facility's policy document to understand how safe your child would be.
• Ask about the curriculum to get an idea of how structured and child-centric it is.
• Check if the teachers are qualified and sensitive to the child's needs.
• Drop by unannounced to get a good idea of cleanliness and safety measures in place.

First impressions speak volumes. During your first visit, make sure you chat with a few parents to get honest feedback about the center. It is also a good idea to check if the daycare center is well equipped with medical facilities.

How to help your child transition to daycare

• Leaving your baby at a daycare for the first time may make you feel anxious, especially when she is reluctant to go. For an easy transition to daycare, begin by training your child at home at least a week before the first day of daycare.
• Create situations to keep your child away from you for longer than usual. Give her toys such as building blocks, jigsaw puzzles, miniature playsets, and other age-appropriate toys to play with during this time. This can help your child get accustomed to spending time on her own.
• Leave her at a friend's or neighbor's house once in a while to help her adapt to new surroundings.
• Show her pictures of daycare centers well stocked with playthings and miniature furniture, and having a colorful ambiance. Create an air of excitement so that the child longs to be in such a place.
• While you tell your child all the good things about daycare, also tell her what to expect at the childcare facility. A good understanding of what happens in daycare will make it easy for your child to adapt.
• Let your child take along a comfort item such as her favorite soft toy when preparing for daycare drop-off.

Sending your child to daycare for the first time: Do's and Don'ts

• Ensure the creche has your phone numbers and also an emergency number as a backup.
• Make sure that you inform the daycare about your child's food allergies.
• Get to know the caretakers of your child.
• Talk to your child regularly to find out how her day went and to know if she is happy.
• On the first day of daycare for your infant, acquaint the caregiver with everything your child needs such as the kind of formula, feeding schedule, and medication.
• If your child is older, watch out for any unusual behavior or tantrums.
• Don't ever feel guilty about double-checking references or visiting and revisiting the daycare center.
• Don't rely too much on information you gathered from the Internet.
• Don't assume that a childcare facility with all the necessary licenses means quality care for your child.
• Don't forget to examine the center's policies and procedures.

Apart from these considerations, establish a good rapport with the staff at your chosen daycare center. This will ensure that your child has an enjoyable experience at the center and gets the right environment necessary for his overall development.

Childcare outside our homes is now a reality, with a majority of working parents leaving their child in a creche or daycare center. While there is no substitute for a parent's love and affection, the right daycare center can give you the right support by taking good care of your child.