Do Daycare Kids Have an Edge?

Advantages of daycare:

• They offer a structured environment.
• They can be more affordable than a nanny.
• Parents can meet other parents with whom they can socialize, share common experiences, and even team up to provide support (e.g. babysitting, playdates, carpools, etc.).
• Arrangements tend to be more stable, which may work out better for parents with strict work schedules. For example, if a teacher at the daycare is ill, there will be a substitute; whereas if a babysitter or nanny gets ill, the parent may need to take off of work.
• Staff members at good daycare facilities are usually trained in early childhood education and are able to strengthen and encourage a child's growth.
• Good daycare centers incorporate a lot of different activities, such as art projects, reading, and playtime. Children get an opportunity to pursue interests and are exposed to a wide variety of learning activities.
• Children can benefit from socializing with other children, which they may not get as often if they were at home with a caregiver.

Disadvantages of daycare:

• Many parents find daycare costly. Often parents find that one salary is only enough to pay for the daycare and therefore they choose to have one parent stay at home with the child instead.
• Children in daycare tend to get sick more often than other children because they are surrounded by other children and germs. That being said, it does help build immunity.
• With daycare, parents may have to pay extra fees for late pickup or early-drop off. Also, many daycare centers are closed on holidays, which could cause issues for parents who rely on that care while they have to work.
• Some daycare centers do not allow children to come when they are sick, causing parents to miss work when their little ones aren't feeling well.
• With daycare, children are less likely to get the one-on-one care that they would with a stay-at-home parent or caregiver.