So you’re a parent — great! Becoming a working parent can be a bit more of a challenge. Due to money constraints, many American couples find that it’s a better idea for both parents to work. This can be a hard decision for many parents, although it’s by no means a wrong one. It can be difficult to reconcile yourself with the idea of spending less time with your children. But for some parents, it’s a true necessity. Furthermore, it can create a much better life for your child. The fact is that as much as it may sting to spend less time for your child, they will appreciate your higher income in the long term — and so will you. But with that being said, you need to be careful when choosing a daycare service. Obviously, this is a place where your child will be spending a good amount of his or her day. Even if the amount of time your child spends in daycare is minimal, it’s still important that you find a daycare service that is right for both you and your child. So with that being said, here are a few things you should take into account when choosing a daycare service that’s right for your family.
1. Affordability
Finding an affordable daycare service can be easier said than done. The fact is that as much as we’d like money to be no object when choosing a daycare service, it is an important thing to remember. A daycare center should not be something that you save money on just because — but there are ways that you can save money on daycare without compromising in what you need. For one thing, low-income families can sometimes have daycare subsidized. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that only 22% of low-income families have their daycare federally subsidized by the government. Furthermore, over two-thirds of Americans believe that the government should subsidize daycare for more families. That doesn’t mean it will actually happen. With that being said, affordable daycare doesn’t mean bad daycare at all. Affordable daycare centers can provide many opportunities for your child. Furthermore, a local daycare service can equal a shorter commute. This means that you’ll spend less money on gas. This is a big money-saving strategy, and it should definitely be utilized when you use a daycare service.
2. Intellectual Stimulation
Many Americans want to take advantage of the fact their children can potentially continue learning after school. Often, for example, parents have their children cared for in after school programs. This isn’t a possibility at every school, however. It’s believed that only six out of 10 American kindergartens offer full-day programs. This doesn’t mean that children can’t learn after school, though. They’ll just learn at a daycare! Many daycare programs are willing to tend to your child’s specific academic needs. There are many advantages to your child learning at daycare. They’re engaged on multiple levels, and can even finish homework at daycare if they’re older. Therefore, it’s important that you don’t think of daycare as simply a place for your child to stay after school, but as a learning opportunity as well. Learning isn’t the only possibility, though.
3. Social Opportunities
Don’t forget that the difference between your child being watched at a daycare versus by a babysitter is that at a daycare, your child is able to make friends. These friends could potentially last for a lifetime. The fact is that having peers makes a big difference in a child’s life. As such, you may want to ask a daycare — before making any final decisions — if they have any children your child’s age enrolled. This could be a life-changing experience for your child. Take advantage of it, and remember when meeting daycare employees that these are people who will be enriching your child’s life for hours out of a day.
Now that you know what to look for in a daycare, begin your search!
