Do you think children in a daycare learn more than children that go to a sitter?

Question

Do you think they are more prepared for kindergarten? My daughter is 4 1/2 months old and my mother has been keeping her during the day while my fiancee and I work. Shes going back to school so shes not going to be able to care for my daughter anymore. My finacee is wanting his old babysitter to care for our daughter she has cared for just about every child in his family and still does care for a couple of them. Hes 31 now so shes been doing this for a very long time. My only problem with this is that shes been doing it for so long I dont think she will be able to properly prepare our daughter for kindergarten or teach her the things she should be learning. The children in his family she does keep we dont see often so I have no idea how well they are taken care of by her. I feel like our daughter would progress a little better in an accredited daycare. What is your experience with this? Another problem I have is that her home is in a bad area of town (I live in memphis #2 for crime in the nation) While her home may be safe I dont feel comfortable driving there to take her and pick her up every day!

Answer 1

I think they learn different things based on what kind of environment they are in. I am sure your fiancee's old babysitter could help your little girl learn about ABCs, counting, shapes, colors, and the motor skills required to use crayons. But how much she focuses on teaching your daughter these things will be up to her.



A daycare could definitely help some with these things plus social skills. Then again - your little girl could learn social skills with a babysitter too (if she is watching other little kids.)



I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to which one children can learn more from. They both have their advantages. But if the sitter is in a real bad neighborhood, that is a valid reason for you to be concerned. If I was in your position, I would go meet with the old sitter. If I thought she would do an ok job, I'd probably let her keep my kid until about 3 years old. Then I'd send my daughter to regular daycare so she could get use to the more structured environment.

Answer 2

It depends on who's sitting. If you know the sitter well enough and know that they are competent enough to teach your child it can be taken into consideration. Make sure that this person will put the time and energy into educating your child and not just entertaining them. However, they may miss out on obtaining the basic social skills they will need as they start kindergarten, unless your sitter is also watching other children or making sure that your daughter is being brought around other children to interact with. (Parks, playdates, etc.)



Daycare can be a wonderful start for a child as well. They get to know a class of friends, perhaps some that will even be in their class in kindergarten, which may help ease the transition. However, when choosing a daycare make sure they are state certified and have qualified, educated staff. Most daycares will have head teachers for each room, who each have the proper degrees in education to do the job. Also, there are many daycares that offer preschool programs aside from standard, all day daycare, but the programs also encompas the daycare children as well as children who are just there for preschool. That is how I operate my facility.



I believe your decision should be based on your lifestyle and what you think would be the best option for your family. How are finances, can you afford to have your child in daycare fulltime? Will the sitter offer her services any cheaper? Perhaps even a mix of the two could work out for you, 3 days a week a daycare and 2 with the sitter or vise versa. Good luck in which ever option you choose.

Answer 3

All children are different and I don't think it's fair to say all children in daycare do better than all children with a sitter, or vice versa. There are undoubtedly pro's and con's of both situations. Children in daycare may tend to have better social skills than children with a sitter by the time they hit kindergarten. But children with a sitter may have benefited more from the higher concentration of personal care. I don't think either would particularly suffer, presuming the daycare or the sitter were good. I went to nursery from the age of 2 and when I was 4 and went to kindergarten, I could read and write and was good at interacting. I remember that a lot of the kids who came from sitters or SAHM's couldn't read and write, I can't remember what their interaction skills were like. But they soon caught up and in no time at all there becomes virtually zero difference. There aren't many kids who grow up having been affected one way or the other by the type of care they received at a very early age. If your sitter is experienced and good with children then I'm sure your daughter won't suffer in any way. But I would always say to go with your instincts. You're the mum and maternal instincts are second to none. If you feel that a daycare would be better for your daughter and have the money to go down this road then I would say to stick to your guns and try and persuade your fiance to go with you on this. There'd be nothing worse than for you to be sitting at work every day worrying about your daughter's welfare, even if there is actually nothing to worry about. Peace of mind is a huge blessing.

Answer 4

First of all, her home being in a bad area of town seems like a pretty big thing to me. I wouldn't want to be driving somewhere I don't feel comfortable, let alone getting out of the car. So there's really no way I would leave my child in that place, even if her actual home seems safe. You just never know.

I personally, am not a big fan of day care. I think that kids tend to get over looked and they just don't get enough one on one attention that they need. Especially if you're worried about her being prepared for school and those things, I don't think that day care is that way to go.

As far as the babysitter your fiance suggests, from what you've said does seem like a good person to care for your daughter, but I'm not so sure about teaching her the things she needs to know.

What I would suggest is maybe look into hiring someone, like a nanny, to spend one on one time with her. Honestly, this is the best attention your child could get. Don't be afraid to hire someone young either. Your daughter is old enough now that all of the new born scariness is gone so it's nothing a 19 or 20 year old couldn't handle. Plus, someone who is working for you personally can adapt to your schedule, come to your house so you wouldn't have to worry about taking her to somewhere unfamiliar, she would have all of the comforts of hoime, no baby bag to pack every day, no dropping off or picking up. And, a nanny would be willing to teach her anything that you felt it neccessary for her to learn before she's school age. You also have someone who is attached to your daughter and will love her so you can feel at ease while you're away. Most people think that hiring a nanny is too expensive or out of their price range, but most will accept a weekly rate and work with you.

Answer 5

My boys are in preschool now (ie accredited day care) and they learn SO much. My 3yo knows all the names of the planets in order, and told me that they orbit the sun, and he actually knew what that meant! Honestly, I never would have thought to teach him that, and I don't think I learned that until 3rd grade, at least. No that every 3yo NEEDS to know that, it just goes to show all the stuff they are actually learning.



The safety things is what gets me though. If you do not even feel safe driving in your car in that area, I can't imagine wanting to leave your child there.



Here is how I feel about sitter vs. day care overall: I feel sitters are better for infants becasue they get more one on one care, and usually the sitter is a very loving person who truly cares about infants. However, once the kids are of an age where, if I were home with them, would be going o the library, play groups, the park, etc. I feel they need to be in day care, as it provides many of those same functions, whereas a sitter, with multiple children is not likely to take them to the library, etc. I think they need that once they get to preschool age.

Answer 6

Regardless of where you send your child, it’s up to you as the parent to the type of care you’re looking for. You can find a sitter or home daycare who has a “learning” environment or you can find a sitter who just simply takes care of your child. You can find a daycare that’s more of a learning center or you can find a daycare where kids just play all day. There are different types of each and you just need to find what suits your family best.



My son at 3 months was with a SAHM who wanted extra income. They did nothing that was really considered “learning”. She just babysat him. She moved and I sent my son at about 6 months old to an in home daycare. She did some story-time with the kids and they did some artwork here and there. But it wasn’t a “learning environment”.



I then sent my son, at 12 months to now (2 ½ yrs) to a daycare that’s a learning center. They have a curriculum they follow. They have themes each week. They learn ABC’s and do LOTS of activities during the day. Arts and crafts, storytime, etc. This week is bugs and creepie crawlies. They’re learning about nature and outdoors and the week lesson will work around that. I pay more money for this type of environment, but I love it, and most importantly, my son thrives in it!



So it’s up to you as the parent, to find the best environment for your family. Good luck!

Answer 7

i are starting to be right into some issues like this with my son's (17) instructors. i've got discovered, a minimum of in the previous 3-4 years, that i'm no longer able to have confidence something my baby says till it truly is shown, in no way against a instructor. the instructor is lots extra probably to be uncomplicated. interestingly it truly is particularly uncomplicated in young ones. It gets them out of chores, homework, curfews, all of it. It does no longer mean they are going to be a liar as an grownup. They comprehend it truly is incorrect, yet for now it truly is fixing a brilliant form of issues for them. you're SOO smart. i does not even evaluate putting my little baby in a daycare the place there have been no longer cameras. If my baby is in simple terms too small to tell me regardless of if or no longer he's receiving sufficient care, then i ought to work out what's occurring. I waited till the infants have been verbal till putting them in daycare so as that they could let us know in the event that they have been being abused. TX mom

Answer 8

Honestly, life is not only about how much academics we can learn but also those life lessons we pick up with regular everyday folk around us. I'm sure you learned alot of important lessons that textbooks just couldn't teach you. Keep in mind love and TLC sometimes have more of a lasting effect on us than the excitement of realizing you've just learned what 2+2 equals. I would say split the time for your child and eventually trust that your child will be able to confirm which environment he/she is happier in. That is exactly how it happened for my son, at 3 he was just not ready to be in a structured learning environment and everyday I was having talks with his pre-school teacher where each one of us would end up crying. But when I removed him from the care center and placed him with the family babysitter his whole demeanor changed and he was a much happier kid. I was worried if he would be able to adjust to Kindergarten at 5 and fortunately he did excellent where talks with the teacher were about what a well behaved and learned student he was. Good luck!

Answer 9

The advantage of daycare is socialization with other children her age. In terms of preparing the kids for kindergarden will vary on your child and the people looking after her. Some children will need more one on one time, while others won't. The problem with daycare is that the children sometimes get the pack mentality and become hyperactive.

Answer 10

i think a real day care a childs big problem is being able to get along with kids. its a really big issue once school hits stealing toys and hitting kids. day care will help . although if there are to physicall day care will kick them out after so many times.

Answer 11

Yes, because most day-cares are like a preschool. They have activities and learning tools. My oldest went to day care and she is very bright.

Answer 12

I am a mother of 2..I stay at home and I am a full time babysitter..I think I teach my kids great! It depends on the babysitter..I do crafts with my kids and teach them things..

Answer 13

i think daycare is great because it lets kids interact with one another and make friends.

Answer 14

It depends on the daycare and it depends on the sitter.

Answer 15

Neither! Your children's should be at home with their Mommy. If you wanted other people to raise your kids and not sacrifice your career you are a selfish hedonist. Put your career on hold lady.