The Day Care Dilemma: How Does 'Opting-Out' Impact Kids?

           One of the most common dilemmas that a successful, career oriented mother must decide is; whether to place their child into a daycare center or leave their career to become a stay at home mom. Melinda Wenner Moyer, the author of: "The Day Care Dilemma: How does 'Opting-Out' Impact Kids?" did extensive research to find out which choice would be the most beneficial for a child. Moyer’s investigation revealed that there are many factors to take into consideration, such as; income, environment, and the creditability of the daycare center.  There were positive and negative aspects for each choice. The decision isn't an easy one to make. Jay Belsky: an expert on child development was quoted saying, “If you were a fetus and the good Lord came to you and said, ‘I can give you great quality day care and a lousy family, or a great family but lots of lousy day care,’ you choose the latter, not the former.” Yet in the same breath, Belsky added, that even though the negative effects of day care are modest, “one needs to be careful about dismissing them.” Moyer found that as long as the mother was confident with her decision; whether to stay home or place their child in daycare, the child will develop adequately.

            Moyer’s research discovered that the quality of the daycare was a very important factor to take into consideration. A daycare can be in the best part of town; charging top dollar, and be very appealing at first glance but that doesn't mean your child’s guarantee to receive the quality care that he/she deserves. As a parent, I feel it’s your obligation to research the daycare that you’re considering placing your child in. You should be making visits to see if the staff workers are engaged with the children or just simply sitting back, watching them.

            I have worked with children for many years now; working in both high-income and low-income childcare centers. This may come as a shock to some; but the childcare offered to the lower income families such as Head Start, have higher standards to meet, due to the financial funding and grants that are needed to run their programs.  Head Start teachers must be college graduates, who obtain a bachelors degree in the field of teaching. The children who attend these facilities are provided with a variety of resources to meet the needs of every child. Teacher’s set monthly goals for their children as a whole and also as individuals. They meet with their parents to discuss the progress or the needs of their children. Children leave the program with the help and tools necessary to enter into kindergarten.

 Children, who are enrolled in the more expensive daycare centers usually, have nicer buildings, bigger playgrounds, and newer toys for the children to utilize comparison to the low-income centers. Most of their daycares require that their teachers be certified in order to work there. A quality center should be providing your child with a creative and stimulating curriculum as well as loving, caring environment. Many of the centers do not have the resources needed to help each child with their individual needs, nevertheless a sophisticated teacher should offer the parents guidance, to help get the child the adequate support he/she may need. Children who are cared for by quality childcare centers will also leave with new founded skills to be successful in elementary school.

            Then there is the stay at home mothers, who leaves their jobs, for the well-being of their child. Since the child’s first teacher is their parent, it makes sense that a mother would choose to stay at home to care for her child. Thanks to all the research on child development, parents now have a better understanding on the importance of education.  Research shows, that as long as the mothers continued offering their children guidance, love, and support, setting aside time to teach their children, their kids fared well in school. 

Years ago, when my children were little, the childcare centers were more like babysitting agencies. Sure they taught them their ABC’s and 123’s but that’s nothing in comparison to what they’re learning nowadays. Deciding to leave a career that you've worked so hard for to become a stay at home mom is a very difficult decision to make.  Choosing a daycare that is suitable for your child can be another tough choice; especially if the mother is unsure of her decision. You must take a lot of things into consideration such as; the longer you stay at home, the harder it is to find a job in your career field. The questioned everyone mother wants to know is, “what is best for my child”. I believe Moyer answered the question correctly, when she said; “it’s whatever choice you feel the most confident in”. So as long as you stand behind your decision and have a positive out-look, then your child’s perspective will be the same.