Childcare is designed to minimise some of the stress of being a parent by offering supervision of your child while you carry out any work or non-work-related activities.
While childcare provides a nurturing environment with a focus on strengthening your child’s cognitive and social development, there are several misconceptions about childcare that can put people off from using it.
Here are 5 of the biggest myths and misconceptions about childcare, debunked:
1. Childcare is just babysitting
This is a common misconception that puts people off from using childcare services but it couldn’t be further from the truth!
Good childcare centres will employ qualified childcare professionals who will actively engage in learning experiences with the children. Each activity they do with your child will be designed to benefit your child’s development in some way.
2. The kids don’t learn, they just play
While play is at the heart of most daycare experiences, teachers follow regular routines that not only help children learn but also help them feel safe knowing what comes next.
Children also learn as they play. Playing involves communication and social skills, leading to development in language, physical, social/emotional and cognitive development.
3. Children’s immunity suffers
While it’s normal for many toddlers to get coughs, colds and tummy bugs in their first months at childcare, this is usually only short-lived and can actually help to build up their immunity in the long run.
If your child does get ill, it is important to keep your child at home with a loving adult, not in a childcare centre. Children will generally bounce back really quickly and it will prevent other children from getting unwell too.
4. Childcare negatively affects a parent-child relationship
Before starting nursery, your child has likely been by your side all day every day. When taking your child to daycare or nursery, it is normal to feel anxious about spending time apart from your little one.
While this might be the first time your little one has spent more than a few minutes away from you, it doesn’t mean that the relationships they form with their teachers will change the unconditional love you two share. The fact is that the connection between a parent and a child is a special one and it cannot be replaced.
A strong, healthy attachment to a parent is something that forms within a child naturally and isn’t something child care can take away.
5. Childcare facilities cannot cater for children with special needs
As childcare facilities hire a range of trained childcare specialists, they can generally cater to all different kinds of children. Inclusion is an important quality to teach a child so it is imperative that childcare facilities demonstrate this too.
At Little Acorns Day Nursery, we are committed to working with any child who has a specific need and/or disability and making reasonable adjustments to enable every child to make full use of the nursery’s facilities.
Little Acorns Day Nursery: Childrens day nursery
If you are looking for inclusive, friendly childcare, then look no further than Little Acorns Day Nursery.
We are an affordable nursery offering a range of services including parent child bonding, kids holiday club and more.
Get in touch with us here today for more information.
