important job...........is day care ok?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 10/27/2011

I think it is great that you are so concerned. This is prime age for her to learn proper socialization skills. She will definitely learn a lot. If you can find a day care that actually teaches, that is the best environment for kids. I know some daycares JUST play. If you find one that has schooling attached to it, it will stimulate her mind and growth. I always look for small class size, or if it is big, make sure there are atleast 1 adult/teacher per 10 students. It is important not to forget yourself as a person. You are not just a mother, but a women that also has a life outside of her children. But, when you are home, devoting your time with your child is essential. Good luck!

Stacey - posted on 10/26/2011

I actually work in a daycare as an assistant for the daycare workers. and I have to say they are amazing! they do activities that will help your children grow. so I'm saying they don't just "watch" your child they teach them. I was very iffy about putting my kids in daycare. ok. I was more like I DONT THINK SO!. mostly cuz i was scared they'd get bullied. I take my children with me and its amazing how well they do. If I had a choice I'd rather my child go to a daycare than a babysitter.

Liz - posted on 10/26/2011

Do your homework in choosing a day care and put her in a good one, so that she can thrive. That way, she'll be properly developed and stimulated, learning to cope with a routine that will stand her in very good stead when she comes to go to school.

Most states have some kind of accreditation scheme,so you can find a daycare that is rated well by external auditors. It really does make a difference: recently we had our daughter in a mediocre day care because it was the only one with a vacancy. There were a number of problems, the most troubling of which was that the staff gave us conflicting verbal reports at the end of the day (e.g. Your daughter had a good day and ate well, versus (same day, different staff member) your daughter had a fever and didn't eat much at all)! When I raised the issue politely with the manager, she wouldn't let me speak and slammed the phone down! As soon as we could, we moved my daughter to a highly rated place and oh my is it different! She's flourishing now in a fun and creative environment. I feel way less bad for her needing to be there.

Krista - posted on 10/26/2011

She'll be just fine -- at 3.5 years, they start becoming more social anyway, so it'll be fun for her to have a couple of hours to play with friends after school. Congratulations on your job -- I'm sure you'll do wonderfully and your little one will be very proud of her mama.

Juveria - posted on 10/26/2011

Oh Sharon and Tara....you are such sweethearts......actually i was thinking of me as total devil though i think i have given her the peak time and i must work now as its my last chance....she has started school in august and is doing great there...now she will have to be at school till 12 and from 1 to 5 at day care...i know a place they feed n bed the baby as i told them and playing and learning...i need support for this decision.....thank u for the help..God Bless you

Tara - posted on 10/26/2011

At 3 1/2 years old I don't see the harm in her going to daycare at least part-time while you are working. It will give her a chance to be around other kids and be in a "school" learning environment and will get her used to the idea of being in school for when she goes to kindergarten.

If this is your only chance for a career I think you are doing what you feel is best for your daughter. She is really lucky she has a mom that loves her enough to be concerned about how she feels.

As long as you are spending time with her when you are not at work I honestly wouldn't see any harm in having her in daycare while you are at work.

Sharon - posted on 10/26/2011

I think you have to do what is best for you and your family. So if that is the career, than daycare is a sacrifice that needs to be made.

Personally, I love daycare. Our boys are almost 2 and 6mths, and they go a couple of days a week. The things they have learnt there they wouldn't have learnt at home I'm sure, nor do I think I would have been as good a mum as I wouldn't have had a chance to be 'me' at work and mixing with adults.