DAY CARE. Defining. In our increasingly high-tech world, the basic definition of day care is the care given to children, preschoolers, and infants, either at their homes, at a friend’s house, or in a private center-based care facility. Such day care services should offer a setting that is child-friendly, with qualified professionals working with children to prepare them for school and beyond.

However, for many parents, day care means something completely different. With increasing educational needs and less time available to spend with their children, many parents find themselves in positions where they are not able to provide the type of personal care their child needs. Some work long hours, while others have very physically demanding jobs. This often leaves them without the time or ability to provide the type of child care that their children need.

Fortunately, there is an answer to this problem. Day care centers have opened up in every major city across the country, offering smaller groups of adults and larger amounts of child care services. Typically, these centers are located within walking distance of many local schools, providing not only greater flexibility for parents who can’t leave their children in the care of strangers, but a higher quality care as well. In addition to having more staff members available during the day, some centers offer larger groups of people, allowing parents to interact with their children more easily.

Along with greater levels of care and larger groups of individuals, day care also offers a much higher quality of education. Many of the larger day care facilities are staffed by trained teachers, helping to educate both young children and older infants and toddlers about the development of their bodies and minds. As most of these children are on a waiting list for educational programs, this education is invaluable. It allows children to learn about nutrition and growth, as well as the importance of getting enough sleep and the importance of social interaction. This education can help move children ahead in their lives, providing them with a blueprint for success.

One of the biggest benefits of larger day care groups is the bond between the parents and the caregivers. Rather than being separated by distance and separation anxiety, parents can form very strong relationships with their caregivers. The fact that they all live and work under the same roof allows parents to talk openly about their children, their lives, and their concerns about their children’s care. Having a single caregiver at home provides parents with that comfort, knowing that no matter where they go, their child care will be taken care of by that same caregiver no matter where they go.

For parents who are worried about leaving their children in the care of strangers, it is hard to imagine any better arrangement. Rather than having to travel from facility to facility, day care already provides that kind of security. Instead of being in an unfamiliar location, there is a familiar, safe environment, where your child can play and eat and spend time with his or her family. This familiarity makes it easier to establish bonds with caregivers, which is absolutely vital to the development of any child. It may seem like leaving your child in the hands of a stranger is a frightening idea, but with a quality day care, parents can feel confident that they have made the right choice.