Daycare Issues

Daycare is a big issue for me. My son has been home with me for the first 15 months of his life and it becomes hard for me to put my trust in others to take care of him. I know no one can give him the care that I would myself, but the debate comes in who can do it best. Which brings me to the question of what is better, home daycare or daycare center?  I have talked to many people, and of course everyone has a different opinion so I still am confused. I have heard many horror stories of things happening at home daycare, more than I have at centers. However, does that mean that they are better? I tend to think so after I have looked at many daycares over time to pick the right one for my son.

                In my opinion someone running a home daycare is more at risk of becoming stressed and taking it out on the kids they are watching. While in a center there is other support staff they can call to relieve them if they are feeling stressed. Also, in a home daycare they are with the kids constantly with no break unlike in a center where they are giving a break to decompress. Now I’m not saying this is the choice for everyone, just my opinion. Another issue I had is the education my son would receive while in daycare. This again I feel he gets more of at a center versus home daycare. While in a home the children range in all ages making it hard to design a learning activity that fits all the children. In a center the children are with other children of the same age and thus making the learning environment more stable. The last thing I had to consider was supervision. Who is there to supervise the home daycare and report to you anything that happens? That’s right; no one all you have is the word of the care taker themselves. While in the center you have the care givers in the room, the director, and the cameras throughout the facility.

                In the end my choice was a center, however this may not be the choice for everyone. Whatever choice you make be sure to do your research, as our children are important and deserve the best there is out there. Good luck if you end up in my shoes and having to make the right choice, it’s a hard one.