Why Moms Choose Day Care
These Moms Explain Why They Chose Day Care Over Other Child Care Options
With so many options for child care out there, how is a mom to choose which one is right for her kids and family? We find that the best advice is usually a result of word of mouth, and while no childcare option fits all — whether it be staying at home yourself, hiring a nanny, enlisting the help of friends or family members as sitters, or finding a day care that you love — hearing the opinions and experiences of other moms is always helpful. And as it turns out, moms who chose day care have a lot of thoughts on the matter.
Ahead, find some of the main benefits moms who chose day care over other childcare options have seen as a result of their decision.
It teaches a variety of educational skills and gives many an academic jump.
"I had no choice but to put my kids in day care from the time they were infants. I had to work. And I was pleasantly surprised at how much they learned. They always tested high and got straight As later in life. And now one is a college graduate and one is in a Doctorate program. I truly attribute it to them learning as early as possible." — Amy S.
"My son attends Montessori and I have been more than pleased with his learning. They start off in the infant program teaching sign language long before the children have the oral motor skills for verbal communication. The learning throughout the preschool years is unparalleled. At 3-and-a-half, he is a year ahead in terms of vocabulary development compared to his same-aged peers based on standardized testing." — Kyla L.
"We also do Montessori and it's been amazing; our girl knows SO MUCH. I wouldn't have been able to teach that much if I stayed home or had family watch her." — Tesha H.
It gives them a chance to learn all types of skills from their peers (and caregivers!).
"One of the many benefits of sending our son to day care has been a positive peer influence — I call it toddler peer tutoring. His peers have modeled how to sit down and eat with utensils, share adult attention, follow directions, go on the potty, walk in a line, participate in singalongs, use quiet library voices, nap without a pacifier, and move his body safely during movement/dance classes." — Elizabeth C.
"Day care teaches our child a lot of things like how to put on clothes, how to brush teeth, potty-training. Yes — as a mom I feel like I should do it all — but even in the old days, there would be a literal village to support the parents. I don't live in a village, but day care provides that important community of support and teaching that our children need." — Mohita M.
"Kids learn so much at day care! I love it. [My] 16-month-old has been going since she was 5 months old and I think it definitely helps her a lot to watch older kids. She eats way better at day care than at home, and it was where she started potty-training, to our surprise." — Rachel B.
"My daughter learns so much more than she ever would at home with just me or a nanny. She comes home and tells me stories. She learns how to be part of a social group. I learn from the other parents and daycare provider. No guilt necessary!" — Alison M.
"So many incredible benefits: socialization, learning to follow rules and listen to someone besides his parents, learning how to deal with conflict and one of my favorites . . . handling other children's temperaments. . . . It's also wonderful to have someone else reinforcing what we work in at home. It's made him stronger!" — Tara R.
It provides a more structured and regimented routine in a community outside the home.
"Consistency and stability! We have both benefited greatly from the consistency and structure and stability of day care. She goes to the same place every day and knows what is expected of her. She is not constantly being thrown into different schedules like she might be if we had family members watching her certain days or various other types of care. Also, the stability is ideal for me. I don't have to worry or plan around my caregiver's sick days, vacations, or family crisis. The daycare operators take on that burden so I am never left scrambling for child care at the last minute." — Emily C.
"We did once-a-week day care when [my daughter] was a toddler. I loved knowing exactly where my child was at all times (versus out and about with a nanny). We loved having a safe and nurturing place for her to go where she could start to respond to other adults and be part of a community outside the home." — Kim C.
"I personally love that [my daughter] is on a more regimented schedule, with consistent meal times and naps. Her day care also works on potty-training, which is a huge plus (fewer accidents in our house!)." — Stacy Hersher, director, POPSUGAR Social and Partnerships
It leads to socialization.
It gives kids exposure to children from diverse families.
It gives parents a needed break and lends to making family time more intentional.
