Why Stay-At-Home Parents Should Send Their Children To Daycare

sending your child to daycare

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As a stay-at-home parent, getting to spend tons of time with your children is truly a blessing. You’re lucky enough to be involved in every stage of their developmental process—watching them grow and learn right before your eyes. Best of all, it takes place in the familiar comfort and safety of your own home.

However, just because you chose to be a stay-at-home parent doesn’t mean you can’t send your child to daycare. In fact, you’d likely be surprised to find out that many of the kids that come to Cornerstone Academy have stay-at-home parents who send them to daycare for half-days a few times a week. If you’re debating whether to put them in childcare vs stay at home, there are some important things to note. Having your child in daycare can not only foster their independence and help with their socialization, but also gives you the opportunity to enjoy some time to yourself. Read on to learn more about the numerous benefits of enrolling your child in daycare as a stay-at-home parent!

Why Your Child Should Go to Daycare Vs Stay at Home 

Socialization With Other Children

Three kids socializing

While we are sure your child loves interacting with only you all day, there is nothing like getting them into a room full of their peers to really let their personalities come through. Daycare helps them build good social skills, create friendships, develop problem-solving techniques, and learn to share and take turns. These interactions are essential to early development, and research shows that children with strong social skills are more likely to thrive as adults—particularly when it comes to their career and educational success. 

Opportunities for Unique Activities

Children participating in activities

While it’s highly likely your home is full of fun activities to do with your kids and help them learn, there are admittedly certain limitations to what you are capable of. By sending your child to daycare a few times a week, they get the opportunity to experience new things they would not have been able to do at home. Daycares take the kids on field trips, bring in special guests like firefighters and magicians, and even host holiday concerts or Thanksgiving meals. And the best part is, because the daycare is handling all the fun, they are in charge of dealing with the resulting messes—not you!

Prevents Separation Anxiety

child with separation anxiety

It’s common for young children to feel anxious when being separated from their parents. This is normal as a child grows and develops. For the first few years of their life, all they know is the company of their caregivers, and naturally associate them as a source of safety and comfort. However, not giving your child opportunities for growth away from you can potentially worsen the problem, causing symptoms of distress, nightmares, or reluctance to leave your side. Putting your child in daycare teaches them to become comfortable in your absence and learn to trust another grownup, with the understanding that you will always return to get them. This will do wonders for their independence and confidence as they age. 

Gives You a Break

child high-fiving an adult

Being a stay-at-home parent is truly a full-time job, and just like any other job, sometimes you just need a break. And that’s okay! It’s better to recognize that you need a breather instead of burning yourself out in an effort to keep them at home. Sending your child to daycare gives them the opportunity to still have fun and learn while you get some of your day back to get things done (or even just spend a little time relaxing). Giving yourself the opportunity to prioritize your well-being will not only make you happier and more refreshed, but it will also allow you to be a better and more present parent when your child is home.

Gets Them Familiarized With School Routines

children learning letters

As children get closer to school age (We know, they grow up so fast!), getting them familiarized with a school routine can make the impending transition a lot easier on both of you. Daycare will expose them to the structure of a classroom, how to follow directions from a teacher, and what it is like to not have a parent nearby. Even just a little bit of experience with this process will set your child up for success when the first day of school rolls around, as they won’t be caught completely off guard. 

Enroll Your Child in Daycare 

If you’re a stay-at-home parent interested in having your child join us part-time, contact us today! We’re happy to schedule a tour of our facility or answer any questions. We specialize in social and language development through art, movement, imagination, and (most importantly) playtime! 

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Everybody wants what’s best for their child, and for some, that means trying to decide between sending them to daycare