Is Daycare better for children than being cared for by a stay at home parent?

Question

Experts say that there are many benefits to day care, including health screenings, nutritious meals, socialization and active play away from the TV.

Now, where mothers and/or fathers can’t or won’t provide their children with food, medical care, friends in the park, and attention and play, being shunted to an institutionalized setting may definitely be a godsend!

But, when mothers and/or fathers can and will provide their children with food, medical care, friends in the park, and attention and play, is daycare still a better choice for children?

Answer 1

I am a stay at home mom and I can say just from how upset and sad I was from my son starting kindergarten that I am glad he was home with me everyday. I don't think there is a parent out there that can say they give there child 100% of there time and attention because lets face it it's impossible. We as stay at home mothers have a lot to do. Once I did my house work, grocery shopping, ect yes my son had all the attention he needed whats nice about my son was that he is old enough to help mommy around the house so it became our house work so really he did get my attention rather then sitting in front of the television, I wont lie there were times when I just needed some peace and quit and sat him on the couch to watch some TV. But I don't think that's wrong because it wasn't an everyday thing. My son has many friends that live in our neighborhood plus family and we go to the park and when it's not to terribly hot we play in our back yard he has a sand box and swing set. I absolutely think every single child needs to have a healthy meal that consists of foods from the food group when they were in the house. I don't think day care was a better choice for my child because there was no reason for me to drop my child off with someone else when I was just sitting at home maybe if I worked then it might have been a different story.

Answer 2

No when parents can and choose to provide their children what they need, a child is always better off with the parent. The things you mention are normal common sense things that all parents should provide whether their child is in daycare or not.



All children should have health screenings, medical care, nutritious meals, socialization and active play...if a parent cannot provide these things they should not have children. You don't have children and then stick them in daycare so they can get the common things all parents should provide. I'm in no way saying daycare is bad but daycare should not be used to replace the things all children should get from their parents regardless.

Answer 3

I f you think about it, prisons also offer health screenings, nutritious meals, socialization, and active play away from the tv, and it beats being homeless, so to answer your question "when mothers and/or fathers can and will provide their children with food, medical care, friends in the park, and attention and play, is daycare still a better choice for children?" No.

CEM- You got it all wrong, I have worked in many daycares and preschools, being around other children so much doesnt teach them to share, it teaches them to fight, and the teachers dont care what the fight is about, they just want to seperate the kids, which teaches them nothing, while kids that are at home with mom or dad are actually taught how to interact with other people, they are their role models, and they watch them everyday interact with people in the community of all ages, and my kids were so tired of being at home with me, they couldnt wait to get to kindergarten and make friends, and they were very well behaved,

Answer 4

I think being at home is much better for children as long as they get interaction with other children. If they have siblings or cousins they could visit with that would be great. No daycare is going to provide the homemade fresh meals that I provide, so I definitely think in that case it is way worse for my child, my child goes to her very good pediatrician and never watches tv except maybe if she wakes up from a nap and I had something on and she watches about 5 minutes of it. So with my kid I would say no a daycare would be worse for my child. She goes to grandma's where she has a cousin her age and 3 dogs.

Answer 5

Theoretically, will be better choice if children with her parents care because of emotional relation reason. Parents tends to give more attention than daycare staff. But you must ensure that the condition is really exist, that the parents have time and capacity to give good nutritious, good medical care and peers for socialization. Actually, many parents is busy in career so can't spend time to give attention and to improve caring child skill. So, depend on you/parents. If you can spend more time and sure with your capacity. Take the decision to care your children by your self. But if you haven't sure yet, you can consider day care institution.

Answer 6

Well, some parents have no option but to send their children to daycare. If I chose to work, the daycare would be a last resort for child care for me.



Do I think it is better than a SAHP? Absolutely not!And I find the "experts" findings to be severely flawed.



My children get health screenings from their pediatrician. Does the daycare have a full time physician on staff?



Nutritious meals? I simply do not believe that one. However, my children get three full, well balanced meals a day as well as a couple of snacks. One of those snacks may be less than healthy, but they burn it off (read in a minute about their active play).



My children are out accompanying me in the real world, getting socialization that way. We also participate in play groups when they are younger for another opportunity to socialize. Nevermind all of the activities such as story time at the library. This is just as absurd as those that say my homeschooled children do not socialize because they do not attend school.



Television and computer/game time is limited in our house. We live in a rural area, and have more than ten acres to play on (that would be approximately the size of 30 yards in your typical neighborhood). Trees to climb, a pond to fish in, trails through the woods to walk on, fields to run in. We have swings, slides, merry go rounds and the like. Since our road is rather peaceful, we often walk or bike down to the neighbors to see their horses, cows, etc. We often go to one of several nearby parks, etc. ON TOP OF THAT, they play baseball and do other physical extra curricular activities.



Now, again, some parents have no choice but to put their child in daycare and I understand that. However, I strongly disagree with the stance that daycare is better for a child.

Answer 7

Personally, I think an attentive parent is SO much better than Daycare...especially considering all of the horror stories I've heard about it. Irresponsible workers trading pacifiers from baby to baby, leaving the children in areas they can leave or be taken from, the story that was on the news about the person putting duct tape over the child's mouth because it was crying and the child loosing it's life because of it.



My friend's niece was in daycare and contracted a really bad ear infection that slowed her development to a sever degree - effecting the way she speaks to this day.



My husband and I made the decision for me to stay home with my son, even though it is extremely tough monetarily. I keep him entertained, happy and fed. Can I say the same of some stranger in a daycare?



To answer your question, no, daycare is not a better choice for children.

Answer 8

I'm a stay-at-home mom and I'm a little shocked by what the "experts" say. I mean, sure I understand the socialization away from Mommy and Daddy thing, but other than that.... what are they basing their facts on?



My children routinely go to the doctor like they are suppose to. My children have nutritious meals 3 times a day not to mention healthy, fun, creative snacks through-out the day. We play with kids in the neighborhood and often go to "play groups" for socialization. We also spend more time playing games, running around outside and doing other activities than watching t.v. I think that's true for most stay-at-home parents. Its not like we sit our kids in front of the t.v. with some potato chips and a bucket of ice cream while we do our nails. *rolls eyes*



I mean, of course daycare can be beneficiary in some areas. In fact, its needed for many of today's families, but its far from "better".

Answer 9

The mothers/fathers (especially married and living together) that do take excellent care of their kids, disgustingly are becoming few and far between. Most parents these days are more worried about themselves, their bottom line ($), and are quick to drop their kids off with whomever whenever for the newly famous "me time". For people like that that don't raise and take care of their kids half worth a darn to start with....daycare is one of the first and only places the kids may have a decent routine, and regulated pattern of stability.



I am 100% against daycare personally. I feel when a couple chooses to lay down and make a baby it is their responsibility to raise the baby. Not to pay someone else to do it 1/3 of the time (8 hours a day). If parents were teaching and developing their children into what they are truely capable of being...everything would be dramatically different. For a child to enter kindergarten without the ability to read/ write/ spell/ read maps/ know basic math ect., is just down right lazyness on the parents part. Quite frankly it's appalling. Standards for everything across the board are absurdly lacking in modern parenting. It's almost become " have the baby....let someone else deal with it when it gets here though".



I see that having no positive benefit to the child, other than the obvious getting away from piss poor, selfish parents for 1/3 of their day. If it's the only way they will learn and be nurtured, then by all means send them. Rightfully there are a lot of parents that need a serious reality check in what their priorites are prior to getting pregnant.



** This obviously doesn't apply to people that have no other choice or option in the matter. I am basing my opinion on people that CHOOSE to dump their kids off whenever/wherever they can....and I see it happening every single day. Being a "parent" in modern day society is based on all the wrong things, and is destroying the "families" all the time.



The best place for young children is hands down in a functional, loving home with both parents, preferably with the mother home and readily able to be teaching them to become decent educated people. If you start stripping that foundamental foundation, things start falling apart more times than not. Just like if you are building a house....if you remove parts of the frame work your structure is no longer viable.

Answer 10

Nothing is better than raising your own children. You mold their minds, influence their thinking, teach them how to be a good person. You train their conscience, give them their moral code and set standards for them to live by. Day care is putting your precious children at risk. Who is in charge, what are they like, who are they? Some real horror stories can come out of Day Cares. In the end the decision is that of the parents and their circumstances.

Answer 11

It depends on the daycare and it depends on the parent. It also depends on the workload of the parent at home, you do mention attention and play, which I think is very important. You often hear complaints of parents on the workload of laundry, chores, cooking, cleaning, lawn mowing, shuttling, etc.



Also consider the strain lack of $$$ can have as stress on a marriage. Last I heard, money was still a huge contributor to divorce. Also more money coming in, can mean more quality time with the kids, for example a parent not spending 4 weekends re-shingling the roof, and being stressed on account of rain.



So I dont think its clear cut.

Answer 12

A child being with their family is much better than being in day nurseries. I've worked in nurseries before and some of the assistants just don't care or pay attention to any child. It's just a salary to them. Having said that, children whose parents use the tv as a free babysitter, are probably better off in day nurseries!

Answer 13

Personally it is each individual parents decision. There are pros/cons for each area. No one way is better than the other because it depends on each persons circumstance.



People also need to take into consideration that many families can't afford for a parent to stay home. They need both incomes to pay for the rent/motgage, vehicle, bills, etc. Many of us are down to bare minimums and would love to stay home and raise our children but financially aren't able. We don't have nice cars or a huge home, credit card bills or extras. We don't go out often or spend much money other than on necessary items and still are barely able to make ends meet.



You'll have people argue both sides, but again, it's a personal choice.

Answer 14

for an only child yes-so they can socialize. Otherwise I think that it is always the best if a child stays home with the parents. I run a daycare and you are right-they play, get nutricious meals and have fun learning-but I could also provide that for only my children and give them 100% attention if I didn't have a daycare.

Answer 15

Lots of children spend the majority of their day in daycare from six weeks up to five years of age. This means that these children really get to interact with other kids and adults of all ages as well as become accustomed to spending the day with one set of people and the afternoons and night with their parents. As a result day care has some definite benefits for the child who is about to start kindergarten.



Learning how to socialize can be difficult for some children who are used to being with mommy or daddy all day long and are not accustomed to sharing or playing with other kids. However, those kids who attend daycare all day long quickly learn what sharing means and that playing with other kids can be a whole lot of fun. As a result these children develop friendships and enjoy spending time with them. This means kids have a social life all their own and appreciate developing these skills and a set of friends they can talk to and play with.



Kids who do not attend daycare before kindergarten may not develop friendships as easily and may be more introverted. They may have a hard time transitioning from play with mommy and daddy to play with several children of the same age. Because of this daycare before preschool, even if it is just a couple a days per week can really prepare your child socially for kindergarten.

Answer 16

My daughter is in a part time program so not only does she get the benefits of being at home but the socialization and independence of being in a program like daycare... just make sure its a good program... one with structure and an even focus on learning and play... not just play. they are both beneficial and while I'm against completely sending the kid to daycare... unless you have to... I'm also against keeping them at home all the time. being away from the parents can be a good thing!!!!!

Answer 17

I have two children. One stayed at home until she started Kindergarten, the other started daycare at age 3. My oldest that stayed home is very shy and doesn't have many friends. My youngest just started second grade, and she is very outgoing and has many friends.



Who's to say that just because you're a parent, you're automatically an expert on how to raise/educate a child?



There should be a daycare in your area that offers part time schooling -so they can adjust to spending less time with mom/dad. That would be a happy medium - you can have the child subjected to socializing and learning with children their age, AND spend time at home as well.

Answer 18

I think the learning environment and socialization with other children is good. I don't like home daycare because it is like a babysitter, instead of school.

Answer 19

I feel Daycare is a better choice because of the socialization children get from the experience. They get a chance to be away from their parents, which prepares them for school. They also get a chance to interact with children and from this they will learn socialization skills such as sharing, that they wouldn't otherwise learn. I feel it is very important for children who stay at home with their parents to be socialized regularly if they are not in daycare and this usually doesn't happen. I run a daycare and I have a structured schedule that is designed to help the children's social and intellectual development. If a child stays at home they are not offered these structured activities and are allowed to play freely all day. I believe play is very important but structure is more important. Group activities such as art projects, story time and science/exploration activities are very important in a child's learning. I have two children of my own and decided to start a Daycare to help them and other children in our area develop their social skills in the place of just being a SAHM.



***I am not in anyway saying ANY daycare is better than staying at home with your child. Most daycares in my area are not good daycares and I would never leave my children there. I am saying that a daycare that is structured and emphasizes development in areas that are vital for your child's entrance into school is necessary unless the parents take this into their own hands and make sure their children have all the necessary skills to gain admittance into kindergarten. I am from an area where most children are in my care because both their parents work, but I do have a few that are here part-time for the deveopmental activites that are provided and the socialization they would not get otherwise. Each family's situation is different, that I understand, but I do think it is important for children to be exposed to other environments and activities than what they are exposed to everyday. If you are a parent that takes the time to do all of these things with your child I think that's great and they are then better off at home with you, but if they are not offered a structured environemt where learning is the emphasis then I think daycare is necessary.

Answer 20

There are benefits for both, in daycare the child is able to build their social skills and will be more comfortable when they have to start school, it also builds their immune system because they are around more germs. But staying at home they are able to have more one on one and you get to teach them at whatever pace you would like to and there is also that bond there plus no daycare bill.

Answer 21

There are pros and cons to either side, and it is a very individual choice that any family should make based on their own circumstances. I absolutely do NOT think that anybody should proclaim one way or the other to be "better" in general, because no family has the exact same situation, needs, etc.

Answer 22

Daycare is the beginning of parenthood by the state. Who knows what ideas they are filling children's heads with.

Answer 23

I am a great mom. I stayed home with my daughter for a whole year after giving birth. I took her to the park and fed her a balanced meal. She never got sick.



I put her in day care and she's still fed properly. & taking your kid to the park is one thing but sometimes you can't take them and they don't get that social time. Not to mention they don't have a schedule which is also important because your busy running errands or finding different stuff to keep them busy.



I have to say daycare is better. My daughter got sick the first 2 weeks of daycare because her immune system was to weak to handle all the germs that naturally occur in the world, but once that was over with, we were good.

Answer 24

absolutly not!! My son is on a schedule no diff then he would be at a daycare, He eats well and gets lots of excersise! Why on earth would i pay for someone who he doesnt even know to do exactly what i am doing? and not to mention im loving every second with him. i love the fact that i can be there for EVERYTHING! any mom would would rather their child be with some radom person is crazy! Ever seen a nany cam video?? Nannies hitting/smacking kids and shaking babies.. god

Answer 25

Both have benefits but I wouldn't say daycare is 'better'. I think each situation is unique and age is an important factor as well.

Answer 26

I don't think day care is the best choice when there is the option of family staying with the child instead.

Answer 27

Absolutely not.