The short answer is that this is a very personal choice, and completely depends on the parents and the child. There are daycare centers for babies as young as 3 months old, and this makes sense if both parents are working, if they don’t get enough maternity and paternity leave, and if they are unable to afford one-on-one childcare for their baby. There are also parents who choose to wait for their child to reach toddlerhood before putting them in daycare. This works if one parent is able to stay at home until then, or if they can hire childcare. It all depends on the situation.
Ideally, the first 6 months of a baby’s life should be spent under the care of their parents and caregivers, because at this stage a baby needs one-on-one care. It is also recommended by doctors and medical organizations that the baby is solely breastfed for the first 6 months.
After 6 months of spending day in and day out with their baby, it’s probably time for parents to get back to work. A parent might be wary of putting their child in daycare the first time around. Isn’t my baby too young to be away from me? Will the daycare be able to take care of a baby this young? What if my baby catches an infection from other children? These worries are completely normal, but many daycares are equipped to take care of infants in a safe environment and have trained staff just for this.
Here are some things to look for when planning to put your child in a daycare center:
Infant stage
Post 6 months of age, your baby will be on the move – turning over, attempting to crawl. At a good infant daycare center, the staff will engage with the baby and help them develop these skills. They will also interact with the babies in a positive way and introduce them to music and books. There will be some amount of personalized care – as naptimes and feed times may differ from child-to-child. Look for a center with low caregiver-to-baby ratios, and spend time getting to know the people who will be taking care of your child. It is also important to check that the caregivers are certified in emergency medical care.
Toddlerhood
Once babies discover they can walk, they are never still welcome to the toddler stage. This is the age when your young ones are discovering themselves, learning constantly from the people around them and their surroundings. This is also the age where a child is learning to communicate their feelings, and temper tantrums are normal.
Find a daycare center where the staff and caregivers are patient and equipped to take care of kids this young. There should also be plenty of engagement and activities to help your toddler develop their fine and gross motor skills, as well as meet speech, social and cognitive milestones. Within the safe confines of the right daycare center, your toddler will be able to explore their surroundings and build confidence and independence, thereby helping them become better prepared for formal education.
Older kids
From ages 3 and above, children are adding to the language and other skills they already have. It is advisable to put your child in a daycare/after-school program center, which have plenty of activities on offer. Storytelling sessions, outdoor playtime, music and art will not only keep your child occupied, but also help them acquire new skills and open up their world. Daycare is also a place where your child will get the opportunity to socialize and play with other kids, this bonding is very important to their social and emotional growth.
Remember, no matter how old your child is, the daycare center you put them in should be clean, hygienic and safe. Every child is different in their own way, and has different needs. A daycare centre’s Admissions Counsellor should be able to answer all your questions and ease any worries you may have about your child adjusting at daycare.