Learning Style

You may be wondering how to choose what is right for you and your child. Should you enroll in a child care center or look for a home child care provider? Here are some important benefits I have learned about home child care:

• Siblings are kept together. Being apart from parents can be scary enough for children, but here they will find comfort being with their brother or sister.

• Spending their day in an actual home may bring them a sense of ease and less anxiety as they are used to being in their own home.

• A smaller ratio of children to adult means there will be much more focused attention on each child’s individual needs. Your child will be comforted, praised, rewarded, recognized and treated as the special individual they are!

• Children will form a closer bond with their caretaker. In centers, the “teacher” in the room can vary from day to day, leaving children confused and unable or unwilling to attach to any single person. The constant change can also lead to uncertainty as a child won’t know what to expect. Forming that strong relationship with their caretaker also leads to better behavior and understanding of what is expected of them.

• Home child care allows for more consistency in a day. Children become familiar with the daily routine, know what friends will be there, understand the rules, and overall feel more relaxed.

• Children learn from each other. It is good for them to be around other ages of children. They watch and listen to each other and can teach one another new things. Older children form a sense of pride and accomplishment if they are able to help a younger child with a task. It may help a child transition better if they may gain a younger sibling someday as well!

• Communication between the caregiver and parent is stronger. We can talk about concerns and questions more freely and comfortably and work together to do what is best for the child.