Whether you’re a parent or pediatrician, there are many opinions on what age is best for a child to begin attending daycare. Some believe the earlier, the better, so there’s less separation anxiety. Others believe that sending the child to daycare when he is older allows for proper parental bonding.

There are a dozen other factors to consider, as well, such as the child’s immune system, social tendencies, and the parent’s work schedule. Some parents must go back to work six weeks after delivering a baby, while others can wait a few years and easily resume their occupation. 

While there’s no right or wrong answer, most pediatricians recommend that children attend daycare beginning around one year old. 

The Best Age to Start Daycare

Many pediatricians recommend that children start daycare around age one. There are several reasons for this:

Immunity

Babies younger than one year have a developing immune system. Letting your infant’s immune system mature before enrolling them in daycare would help them stay well.

Parental Attachment

12 months could be the sweet spot for enrolling your child in daycare because it allows parental-child bonding, but the child isn’t old enough to experience severe separation anxiety during drop-off. 

Better Behavior

One study noted that children enrolled in daycare at 12 months were better behaved than their peers who stayed home. This is because children at this age are budding socially and have ample opportunity to learn important social skills, such as sharing toys, playing with friends, and communicating with baby sign language. Babies who don’t have regular peer interaction miss out on opportunities to grow and integrate these social skills.

The Earliest Age to Start Daycare

Studies show there are benefits to enrolling a child younger than 12 months. Children enrolled at six months have better cognitive and social skills than peers who stay at home.

Bright Start Learning Center enrolls infants as young as six weeks. We ensure quality of care for these precious little ones and give them the care and attention they need to grow and thrive. 

The Worst Age to Enroll in Daycare

Knowing the best age to start daycare begs the question: is there a bad age to enroll in daycare?

Generally speaking, children aged three and four have the hardest time transitioning to daycare, especially if they’ve exclusively stayed home with a parent and not had other forms of childcare (like a relative or friend watching them part-time, or an early preschool program).  

This age is hardest because children are used to spending all their time with their parents. Such a drastic change in routine can cause a lot of anxiety, hyperactivity, and behavioral issues in children. 

But this doesn’t mean enrolling your three-or-four-year-old will be disastrous! At DAYCARE, we have compassionate teachers who will help your child quickly acclimate to a daycare setting. We have an excellent early preschool curriculum that lets your child get a head start on kindergarten skills.

Age Doesn’t Matter–As Long As Care is Quality

While there is much debate about the best time to enroll a child in daycare, the bottom line is that daycare can be beneficial for children of every age, as long as the daycare provides quality care. There’s a huge difference between a daycare that lets children play all day and a daycare that provides predictable routines, age-appropriate education, nutritional meals, and creative play time. 

Bright Start Learning Center provides outstanding care to children enrolled in our program, so your child will be cared for by kind and compassionate teachers who want to see them reach their highest potential. 

Many working parents rely on daycare in order to return to their jobs. Daycare is a blessing for many parents, but daycare is not a replacement for parental care. Children need their parents to care for and raise them, so children shouldn’t be in daycare all day, every day.

But how many days and hours during the day are best for children to be in daycare?

The answer to this question is largely based on the child’s age. Let’s look at some of the factors to consider when finding the ideal schedule for your child.

Infants

Infants under one year are still forming a parental-child bond. For this reason, infants shouldn’t be away from their parents or relatives all day, every day. Only a few hours every day or a few times a week is best.

It might take juggling work schedules with your partner or relative to accommodate this need. Luckily, since the pandemic, many occupations are willing to let parents of young children work from home. Perhaps you can arrange for a few hours in the office and the rest of your workday at home, or align your work schedule with your partner or relatives so they can watch your baby for a few hours during your workday. 

Even though it might be inconvenient to have your infant in daycare for a few hours, it’s a decision you won’t regret in future years.

Toddlers

Although toddlers (aged one to three years) seem more independent, they need about the same amount of care and attention from their parents as infants do. 

Try to arrange or cut your work schedule to have your child in daycare for 20-25 hours per week. With the help of your partner, friends, and relatives, this is attainable for many families.

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Children four years and older have a greater capacity to be away from their parents. Hopefully, children this age will feel secure in their relationships with their parents. Their social skills and classroom friendships are stronger and usually allow them not to be anxious away from parents.

Additionally, children of this age must acclimate to the length of school days. So while you may need to slowly lengthen the hours your child is in daycare, it is appropriate to have your child in daycare for a full-time schedule.  

Is It Okay for My Child to Spend More Time in Daycare Than the Recommended Amount?

A variety of factors come into play when answering this question. 

• Family’s needs: Some children will be in daycare for longer because it is a necessity for the parents to pay the bills. Parents in this situation need to give themselves grace and rest assured that there are still opportunities to bond with their children.
• Child’s personality: Some children have a higher need to peer interaction with others. If your child is a social butterfly, they may do very well with a full-time daycare schedule, even at a young age. 
• Sibling enrollment: Children who have siblings enrolled in the same daycare may feel more secure and, therefore, be able to tolerate a full-time schedule better than a child without any siblings enrolled.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time at Bright Start Learning Center

The advantage of full-time enrollment is that it is a much more structured routine for your child. They know exactly where they will be and what to expect. With part-time enrollment, your child may be confused about when or how long they will be at daycare and who will be dropping off or picking them up. This may be upsetting for some children.

On the other hand, children enrolled in daycare full-time may miss out on important parental or family bonding opportunities. Children enrolled part-time will have more time with parents, family, and close friends and may experience greater family stability.

We offer full and part-time schedules at DAYCARE so you can find the best fit for your child’s and your family’s needs. If you opt for a part-time schedule, we can be flexible on drop-off and pick-up times.

Choosing a childcare option can be overwhelming. If you’re comparing daycare and home childcare, here are a few main differences.

What Is Daycare?

Daycares are usually larger businesses, with classrooms divided by age. Many daycares have classrooms divided into infant (0-12 months), toddler (12-24 months), two’s, three’s/pre-K, kindergarten, and school-aged children. 

Depending on enrollment, classes may be larger or smaller, and school-aged classrooms may have various cutoffs. 

Classrooms are limited to a specified ratio of children to teachers. In Ohio, daycares have the following child-to-teacher ratios:

• 6 weeks-12 months (5:1) and (6:1)
• Toddlers (7:1) and (8:1)
• Preschool (12:1) and (14:1)
• School age (18:1) and (20:1)

Additionally, ratios must be appropriate for the youngest child in the room. For instance, an hour before closing, a daycare may only have ten children of varying ages remaining. If one of those children is an infant, the ratio must remain at 5:1 per the infant ratio requirements, and two teachers must be present because there are more than five children. 

What Is Home Childcare?

Home childcare is not a private nanny. Instead, home childcare is when a licensed childcare provider watches other children in their own home. 

Providers can care for their biological children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or step-children at the same time as other non-related children. The provider does not have to have their own children to run a home childcare business. 

Home childcare can be divided into two categories: small-family childcare homes and large-family childcare homes. 

Small-Family Childcare Homes

Ohio doesn’t require a license to operate a small-family childcare home as long as the child count doesn’t exceed six children. If the provider’s children are under the age of six, they must be included in this count. A provider can care for more than six children if they have a license.  

Large-Family Childcare Homes

Large-family childcare homes must be licensed to operate legally. They can care for seven to 12 children, but the provider’s children under the age of six must be included in the final count.

While there’s a lot to consider when choosing childcare, we believe Bright Start Learning Center is a top option for Johnstown childcare. We strive to care for each child individually and help them reach their maximum potential. Contact us today for more information!

If you’re looking to give your child a head start in school, contact Bright Start Learning Center today!

Parents are used to tracking what their young child’s daily life. What have they eaten today? Have they played well, read books, or made friends? When your child is in daycare all day, parents can lose track of what their child experiences in their daily life.

Here is a sneak peek into what your child does almost every day at Bright Start Learning Center.

Scheduled Activities

Structure and routine are vital to a child’s sense of stability. When a child feels secure, they are free to explore their environment and education. But that doesn’t mean kids desire monotony! Just like adults, children want to try new and exciting things. That’s why our teachers provide a variety of special activities that coincide with our outstanding curriculum. 

Even our infant and toddler classrooms incorporate fun but age-appropriate activities, like foot or finger painting, dance music, puppets, and more!

These activities enrich the curriculum, expand your child’s world, and encourage friendships with peers and teachers.

Physical Activities 

At Bright Start Learning Center, we know how important it is for your child to exercise. Gross motor development is key for a well-rounded life. Exercise can help overweight children resume an ideal weight, plus exercise releases endorphins, so your child is in a better mood when you pick them up. Physical exertion helps them sleep well at night.

For infants, engaging in physical activity looks a little different. Our goal for infants is to let them explore their environment using whatever physical capabilities they currently have. Our teachers are always helping the infants progress to the next gross motor milestone.  

Meal Time

Many parents want nutritious meals for their children. At Bright Start Learning Center, we care about the nutritional value of the meals and snacks we serve! 

We offer a variety of balanced meals following standard nutritional recommendations. Even if your child doesn’t eat everything on their plate, they are being exposed to various nutritious foods. Plus, watching their peers enjoy new foods can encourage them to try something new and grow their palate. 

If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please speak with the director for accommodations. 

Quiet Time

While we provide physical activities, we also know that everyone needs some downtime! Some children naturally lean into individual or quiet play. Other children seem to have non-stop energy, but they need downtime just as much as introverted peers. 

Our classrooms offer a quiet area for reading or resting. In younger classrooms, cots are provided for nap time. Older children may color, draw, or craft during quiet time. 

The goal of quiet time is to help regulate the nervous system, teach the value of calming activities, and help children be ready to play together again.  

Free Play

Structured activities and following a curriculum have many benefits, but children also need free play time to use their imaginations. We provide items like costumes, scarves, and props so children can create their own stories during free play. 

As the temperatures continue to plummet, parents everywhere are pulling out winter jackets for their children. But if you’re like most parents, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of your child refusing to wear a jacket no matter how cold it is. For one reason or another, your child adamantly refuses to keep their jacket on despite the body-chilling temperatures.

Below are several common reasons children refuse jackets and how parents can have success with keeping their children warm.

Children Have Brown Fat

Although there are some behavioral reasons for why children may refuse a jacket, there is a major biological reason that parents should understand: children have a higher concentration of brown fat than adults.

Brown fat is specially designed to generate heat. Infants have the highest concentration of brown fat because they lack the muscle mass to shiver, which allows them to stay warm after birth. As children grow, brown fat will gradually decrease, but toddlers and young children still have brown fat that keeps them warm.

Brown fat can make children feel like they’re already wearing a jacket. So, of course, they don’t want a second jacket–they’re literally too warm! This is why it’s common to see school children wearing shorts in the wintertime. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t require children to wear jackets; parents should help their children understand the importance of jackets and require them to be worn whenever possible. 

Children Desire Independence

Children quickly realize that many choices are made for them and seek to assert independence in whatever areas they can. Whether it’s food, TV shows, or wardrobe choices, children are quick to state their preferences and insist on being independent. Refusing a jacket is just another area that a child may be seeking for control. 

Sensory Discomfort

Many children these days have true sensitivities to tags, seams, and fabrics. Their winter jacket may be too heavy, scratchy, bulky, or otherwise uncomfortable. While parents shouldn’t indulge their child’s every preference, sensory discomforts are a challenge that may need accommodation. 

Higher Body Temperature

Not only does a child’s higher brown fat concentration affect their body temperature, but children are generally more active when outdoors than adults. Just like you are throwing off your jacket after a few minutes of shoveling snow, children likewise don’t feel the need for a jacket after a few minutes of running, climbing, or romping with friends. 

Jacket Preference

Children are strongly influenced by the fashion preferences of their peers. Your child may not want to wear a jacket that they don’t find fashionable or cool. Additionally, older children tend to not find any jacket fashionable or cool, so they try to forego them altogether. 

How To Handle Jacket Refusal

How should parents respond when their child refuses a jacket? Here are some suggestions:

• Give Choices: If possible, offer a choice of jacket or thick sweatshirt. Giving two choices lets your child feel like they’re in control and keeps them warm.
• Accommodate Sensory Needs: Find a jacket that accommodates the specific sensory needs for your child. There are many companies who make sensory-friendly clothing and jackets.
• Let Them Experience the Cold Consequences: Obstinate children may need a dose of reality. If they refuse a jacket, let them experience the cold! Never keep a child outside in frigid temperatures for longer than a few minutes, but even those few uncomfortable minutes can help them appreciate the value of a jacket. They also would need to stay inside during recess while the other children play. These natural consequences may be the only option to convince children to wear a jacket. 

If your child is refusing a jacket, the good news is, it’s unlikely they’re as cold as you imagine. Their protective brown fat helps them stay warmer than an adult. 

However, parents should do all they can to encourage the healthy habit of wearing a jacket. Find a jacket that your child feels comfortable and confident in, and you’ll have less of a struggle. 

Almost everyone has jam-packed holiday seasons. The countless parties at your job, kids’ school or daycare, neighborhood, family functions, and with various friend groups can leave you exhausted by the end of the year. 

For parents, the holiday party season can be even more challenging because of managing your children at parties. At every party, there is lots of sugar, stimulation, and gifts. While these are fun for a short time, it doesn’t take long before your overwhelmed and overstimulated child may start to have a meltdown. 

Although child meltdowns at parties are common, they don’t have to be inevitable. Here are some ways to help avoid child meltdowns at holiday parties.

Before the Party 

Parents must remember that children don’t have a paradigm for parties. There is suddenly a lot of noise, strange people, good things to eat, and unfamiliar places, and children don’t know what to do. Part of a child’s meltdown may come from uncertainty, and the meltdown is their only way to communicate that they are uncomfortable. 

Many meltdowns can be prevented by talking about the party plans with your child. Tell them who will be there, what games they will do, what food they can eat, when you will leave, and other basic details. If appropriate, set boundaries that might avoid a meltdown, like eating only two desserts or playing only one video game.   

Dress your child comfortably for the party. If possible, dress your child in layers, since parties with lots of people tend to get warm and your child might want to take off that cute holiday sweater to cool down. Bring winter gear to play outside and leave it in the car. Then your child can join other kids outside without borrowing the hosts’ clothes. 

If you’re attending a party without children or in a space not designed for children (like a work party), then you should bring along some of your child’s favorite books or toys to keep them busy. A tablet is another option, but should be used strategically, as removing the tablet could result in a meltdown

Feeding your children a meal before attending the party is another excellent party hack, especially for picky eaters. By feeding your child beforehand, you won’t be at the mercy of when the host serves food or what the host provides. Your child’s belly will already be full, and they won’t be begging for every snack or dessert they see. 

At the Party

On your drive to the party, have a cheerful pep talk about your expectations. Try to keep your language positive; avoid “don’t” statements and instead encourage the behavior you want.  For example, instead of “Don’t eat tons of dessert!” say something like “Look carefully and choose the yummiest dessert you want to try.” This lets your child know in a positive way the one thing you want them to do instead of the dozens of things you don’t want them to do. 

Upon arriving at the party, set your child up with appropriate activities or children. Let your child know where you’ll be so they feel safe in this new space. It may be helpful to give a timeline, such as “Play here for 15 minutes and then I’ll let you choose some food to eat” so your child knows what to expect. 

As tempting as it might be, don’t check out once you’re at the party. You should watch for cues that your child is getting irritable, restless, or tired. If you see these cues, step in before the meltdown erupts! Bring your child to a quiet place and let them decompress by reading books or playing by themselves. 

Although letting your child decompress in a quiet place usually prevents a meltdown, you need to stay flexible and do what’s best for your child. You might have to make an early exit before a full meltdown happens. This might be disappointing, but it avoids embarrassing yourself or your child. 

After the Party

Your child may be overwhelmed and overstimulated after a party. The sugar, lights, and excitement can make it hard to unwind. Plan time to calm down by reading, taking a bath, or going on a quiet walk. Talk about the fun you had and memories you made together. 

If your child still struggled at the party, it’s imperative to not be harsh with them as you discuss what happened. Holiday memories are especially vivid, and you want your child to think of their childhood Christmases with fondness and not bitterness towards you. You can discuss needed improvement positively and cherish the happy memories you made together before a meltdown.