Daycare Persuasive Essay

Daycare has become a normal part of life in today’s society. The debate of whether daycare is harmful to children has been going on for years. Does a child develop normally when not cared for in a home setting?
The decision of whether to put a child into daycare is a struggle for most parents. “As increasing numbers of mothers rejoin the labor force earlier in their children's lives, daycare has become a standard experience for infants and young children” (Scarr, Dec97). Many people do not have the luxury of making this choice, the job dictates.
Many parents experience extreme guilt when placing their children in a daycare. Have they made the correct choice? Is this daycare experienced enough to care for my child? Finding the proper daycare can be a tedious, but important job. Daycare providers must be knowledgeable and have the proper training to address any issue that may arise. There will be centers with inadequate supervision and unprepared employees. Parents must be determined to find the perfect match for them and their child, with the proper quality of care. “ In terms of assessing the quality of childcare, evaluation criteria should be concerned with child-adult ratio, physical
environment, group size, caregiver characteristics (including formal education, specialized training, and caretaking experience), and caregiver behavior (such as empathy, compassion, and sensitivity to children's needs)” (Zaman, 2012).
The impact daycares have on a child’s mental health has been widely debated.
“Studies have shown that daycare could interfere with secure attachment and constitute a serious risk for social maladjustment” (Geoffroy, Aug 2006). Findings are contradictory when it comes to the aggression of children in daycares. Some reports show children seem to be more aggressive when they spend most of the day in daycare. The younger a child is, 12 months and under, the more likely they are to experience aggression issues. Children may have feelings of abandonment and isolation. Some experience physical symptoms such as stomachaches and nervousness caused by the child’s hesitancy to separate from the parent. Studies have shown that as time passes a child becomes accustom to their
surroundings.
There are positive benefits to a quality daycare. Some studies have shown that daycare is beneficial to a child’s social and emotional development. Many daycares today have an educational curriculum they follow. Children attending daycares tend to show more school readiness then those who do not. Providers use many skills such as singing, reading, and group interaction promoting social involvement. “High-quality care, that which promotes children’s social and emotional wellbeing, is characterized by warm, positive and stimulating staff-child interactions, age-appropriate activities and a safe and healthy environment” (Davis et al., September 2010). Many children have never had the opportunity to socialize with other children. Daycare can give the child the valuable social skills needed to interact with their peers. Developing strong relationship skills is a very important trait children need to obtain.
As an answer to the question, is daycare harmful? Although there is no definitive answer, I do not believe daycare is harmful to children. Most findings seem to support the idea that daycares are beneficial to a child’s development. The social and educational skills children can obtain while attending daycare can only further their potential when they begin school. The most important thing to remember when choosing a daycare is quality. The proper daycare will be currently licensed, have a good reputation and a qualified staff. The facility should be clean and safe for children. A daycare center that will exceed your expectations on every level is out there. Daycare can be a positive influence on our children.