Hi,
I want to start bringing my kids to a child care. Up until now they were at home with a Nanny, but I see that they need to socialize more and get a little more structured, with eating habits etc.
I have visited a few day care centers, but they just feel very cold and impersonal to me.
I am having a hard time to decide, and thats when I decided to start exploring the home child care options.
Does anyone have any opinion on this?
My boys are around 17 months now!!
Thanks
Home care vs. day care
Personally, I prefer the home care option for children who are under two. They just get more one-on-one attention from their caregiver and can adjust to being around other children in a smaller setting. Make sure the caregiver is committed to making the children (not the TV, etc.) her primary focus. Between the ages of two and three or older, preschool is usually a good option as long as the teacher/student ratio is still low and you see lots of hugging going on! If it feels sterile, trust your instincts and don't send them there. Bonding with caregivers is so important for young children. You want them to feel like they have a home away from home.
Susan M. Heim is the author of It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence and Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families with Twins, Multiples and Singletons.