Exploring daycare for infants for your little one? Unsure whether your baby is ready for daycare? Need help figuring out how to find the right daycare for your infant?

Daycare enables parents with work commitments or personal constraints, especially in nuclear families, to provide the best childcare for their little ones while managing their responsibilities effectively. However, the decision to put your baby in daycare is not an easy one. 

This blog provides information on factors you should consider before enrolling your baby in a daycare. 

What’s a Daycare?

A daycare is an institution that offers supervision and care of infants, toddlers, and young children during the daytime, especially for working parents. A daycare may also be referred to as a day nursery, preschool, nursery school, or crèche. 

A daycare usually:

1. Caters to 0–6-year-olds, but may go up to 12-year-olds.

2. Operates between 4 to 8 hours, 6 days a week.

3. Employs female staff, including founders, early childhood care and education (ECCE) qualified teachers, and caregivers.

4. Enrolls 20–40 children. Usually a mix of age groups.

5. Follows one of the following models: 

   • Per time, such as hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly

   • Per child

   • Per activity

6. Works on for-profit, proprietorship, or partnership basis.

7. Offers the following facilities:

   • Play area

   • Sleep area

   • Kitchen

When Should You Send Your Baby to a Daycare?

The decision to enroll your child in daycare is personal and depends on factors such as:

• Duration of your parental leave

• Duration of your partner’s leave or their ability to take leave

• Your financial commitments or constraints

• Other childcare options available to you, such as family members, in-home care providers, and nannies

• Your child’s developmental needs

What is the Minimum Age to get your Child to Daycare?

The minimum age for daycare varies by daycare center and location. While daycare centers’ target age group is 0–6 years (some extending up to 12 years), not all daycare centers cater to all ages. Some daycare centers enroll infants as young as three months old. Other daycare centers admit babies starting from six months old or toddlers aged two and above.  

It is generally recommended to wait before using a daycare for infants younger than three months as this gives you time to bond with your newborn.

Since daycare centers can have policies regarding the minimum age for daycare enrollment, you should check all daycare centers near you to find one that best suits your and your baby’s needs.  

How Do You Know If Your Baby Is Ready for Daycare?

Your baby may or may not be ready for daycare for infants. Here are a few checks to help you figure out if your baby is ready to enroll in a daycare:

1. Does your baby feel comfortable around other children and unfamiliar grownups? 

To ascertain how comfortable your baby is with respect to socializing, monitor their behavior when they play with other children or interact with your family and friends. If your baby is comfortable around or enjoys being with other children or grownups, they may be ready to attend a daycare near you. 

2. Does your baby feel separation anxiety when left alone with a trusted caregiver? 

To check if your baby is comfortable with a caregiver, leave them with one for short periods and observe how they react. If your baby feels at ease and does not feel separation pangs, they may be ready for a daycare near you.

3. Does your baby have an established routine?

To check if your baby easily falls into a routine, study their behavior, activities, and sleep habits daily. If your baby follows a stable routine, it may adapt to a structured space like a daycare near you. 

4. Is your baby naturally curious and excited about exploring their surroundings?

To check your little one’s eagerness to explore their surroundings, watch them engage with new toys. Observe how they behave in new environments and during new experiences. If your baby easily adapts to new settings and eagerly engages with new experiences, they may be ready for the engaging environment of daycare near you.

Remember, these are general guidelines to help you gauge your baby’s readiness for daycare. Your understanding of your baby's disposition and needs should help you determine if your baby is ready for a daycare for infants.

Do Babies Do Better at Home or Daycare?

Some parents may opt to stay at home with their little ones, while others may prefer to enroll them in daycare for many reasons, including pursuing a career for themselves, having a social life, or seeking early learning opportunities for their children.

Daycare offers a structured, engaging, high-quality environment that can positively benefit your child’s overall growth in numerous ways. 

Daycare can impact your little ones:

• Development: Daycare contributes to your child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

• Motor Control and Habits: Daycare activities improve your child’s motor skills and help inculcate good habits such as toilet training.

• School Readiness: Daycare helps your child become more prepared for the structured environment of school by teaching them basic skills such as arts and crafts.

• Social Skills: Daycare exposes your child to peers at a young age, helping them develop proper speech, sharing skills, and the ability to make friends.

• Ability to Overcome Separation Anxiety: In daycare, your child learns to function without you and rely on other adults, reducing separation anxiety later in life.

However, what is right for your child depends on their temperament, developmental stage, and individual preferences. While some children may thrive in a daycare setting, others may prefer the comfort and familiarity of home. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what best suits your child's needs and your family's circumstances.

Which Factors are Important When Selecting a Daycare for Your Child?

Choosing the right daycare for your little one is important for their well-being and holistic development. Here are some factors you should consider while selecting  a daycare for infants:

• Physical Safety:

  • Walls and Boundaries: Check if the daycare has secure walls and boundaries to prevent children from wandering off.

  • Security Guards: Check if the daycare has an adequate number of alert security guards.

  • Identity Cards: Check if the daycare provides identity cards to parents and children. The daycare should strictly follow the policy of handing over children to parents only.

  • Electrical Safety: Check if all electrical points in the daycare are covered. 

  • Grills: Check if windows, stairs, and balconies in the daycare have grills.

  • Toilets: Check if all toilets in the daycare are well-maintained, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene.

  • Splash Pool Safety: Check if the daycare has a splash pool. If yes, it should be safe and secure.

  • Medical Support: Check if the daycare has a nurse with medical training. There should be adequate medical supplies at the daycare.

• Cleanliness:

  • Play Area Safety: Check if the daycare’s play areas and toys are safe and clean. There should be nothing that could injure or harm a child.

  • Clean Floors and Windows: Check if the daycare’s floors and windows are regularly cleaned and washed.

  • Safe Drinking Water: Check if the drinking water available at the daycare is filtered and safe to consume.

  • Refrigeration: Check if refrigerators at the daycare are kept clean and cool for food storage.

  • Safe Food Preparation: Check if the food cooked at the daycare is clean and safe to eat.

  • Clean Beds and Sheets: Check if the beds and sheets at the daycare are clean and free of stains.

• Policies:

  • Registration and Licensing: Check if the daycare is registered and licensed.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Check if the daycare strictly follows all the regulations outlined by the government.

  • Qualification and Background Checks: Check if the daycare checks all teachers’ and caregivers’ qualifications and backgrounds. Check if the daycare conducts background checks for all other staff members as well.

  • Pickup and Dropoff Schedule: Check if the daycare has a schedule with pickup and dropoff times.

  • Holiday and Leave Policies: Check if the daycare has policies in place for holidays and days off.

  • Emergency Procedures: Check if the daycare has procedures in place for emergencies, whether medical or otherwise.

  • Child-to-Adult Ratio: Check if the daycare has an appropriate child-to-adult ratio. Ideally 3:1 for younger children and 4:1 for older children.

• Reputation and Standing:

  • Independent Ratings: Check if the daycare has received high ratings from an independent authority.

  • Community Standing: Check if the daycare has a good standing in the community.

  • Parent Recommendations: Check if other parents highly recommend the daycare.

• Setup and Activities:

  • Outdoor Activity Areas: Check if the daycare has outdoor activity areas.

  • Motor Skill Development: Check if the daycare invests in motor skill development.

  • Social Activities:

    • Social Skill Development: Check if the daycare encourages children to develop social skills.

    • Age-specific Play Areas: Check if the daycare has separate play areas for different age groups.

    • Communication Skills: Check if the daycare teaches children to talk and communicate effectively.

  • Reading Activities:

    • Picture and Story Books: Check if the daycare offers picture books and story books.

    • Age-appropriate Reading Materials: Check if the daycare offers books suitable for different ages.

    • Reading Support: Check if teachers at the daycare help and encourage students to read and develop their skills.

    • Reading Sessions: Check if the daycare conducts reading out loud and story sessions.

  • Creative Activities:

    • Playhouse: Check if the daycare has a playhouse.

    • Arts, Music, and More: Check if the daycare provides supplies for arts, music, and other activities.

    • Engaging Toys: Check if the daycare offers toys such as blocks and clay.

    • Fun Activities: Check if the daycare allocates time for singing, dancing, and other fun activities.

    • Nurturing Creativity: Check if the daycare encourages children to engage and be creative.

• Staff Qualifications:

  • Qualified Teachers: Check if the teachers at the daycare have the right degrees to teach young children.

  • Qualified Caregivers: Check if the daycare’s caregivers have the right qualifications.

  • Background Checks for Staff: Check if background checks are conducted for all third-party staff, e.g., bus drivers and security guards.

  • Staff Personalities: Check if the daycare staff members have the right temperament and attitude to deal with young children.

  • Staff Training: Check if the daycare staff is patient, caring, and well-trained.

  • Supervision: Check if the daycare ensures that no staff member is left alone with a child.

• Cost:

  • Fee Structure: Check if the daycare has a set fee structure.

  • Location Impact on Cost: Check where the daycare is located. If the daycare is located in a high-end area, it may increase your cost.

  • Sibling Discount: Check if the daycare offers a discount if siblings are also enrolled in the same facility. If yes, it may lower your cost.

  • Extra Facilities and Necessities: Check if the daycare offers extra facilities such as SMS updates and meal options. Consider if these extra facilities are really needed as they can drive up your cost.

• Timings and Location:

  • Timing Alignment: Check if the daycare’s timings match your work timings.

  • Flexibility for Longer Hours: Check if the daycare offers options for longer working hours if needed.

  • Weekend Closure: Check if the daycare is closed on weekends.

  • Holiday Schedule: Check if the daycare has a holiday schedule, such as being closed for Diwali or the summer.

  • Convenient Location: Check if the daycare is located close to both your home and workplace.

  • Safety and Emergency Response: Check if the daycare is in a safe, secure, easy-to-find area. Can you reach the daycare quickly in case of an emergency?

What are the Red Flags to look in Daycare?

While choosing a daycare, it is essential to look out for any potential red flags. Here are a few warning signs that may indicate a below-average daycare facility:

1. Inadequate Supervision: If you notice a lack of attentive supervision or too few caregivers in proportion to the number of children, it may compromise your child's safety and well-being. Pay attention to how caregivers interact with the children and ensure that they are actively engaged and responsive.

2. Unsanitary Conditions: Note the cleanliness and hygiene practices within the daycare facility. Dirty or cluttered environments can increase the risk of illnesses and accidents. Look out for signs of cleanliness, such as regular cleaning routines, proper disposal of waste, and handwashing protocols.

3. Negative Reviews: Do thorough research and read online reviews from other parents. If you come across consistent negative feedback regarding a particular daycare, it is important to take it into consideration and explore other options. Recommendations from friends and family can also offer valuable insights.

4. Lack of Transparency: A reputable daycare facility should be transparent and open in sharing information with parents. If you encounter evasive or hesitant responses to your questions regarding safety, curriculum, or policies, it may indicate a lack of professionalism or potential issues.

Remember, selecting the right daycare for your baby is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. By understanding the minimum age requirements for daycare, assessing your child's readiness, and considering important factors such as safety, qualified staff, cleanliness, age-appropriate activities, and effective communication, you can make an informed choice about using childcare near you.

The process of finding the perfect daycare may take time and effort, but rest assured that with the right decision, your child will have the opportunity to thrive, grow, and develop in a nurturing and stimulating environment.