Is It Beneficial for a Toddler to Be in a Daycare Setting Part Time?

I do no think that "Daycare" is beneficial at all...but "Preschool" where they actually do learning is/can be beneficial....it gets them ready for school, teaches them to sit still and listen to the teacher, how to hold a pencil and to write their names, practices ABC's and #'s, colors, shapes, how to cut with scissors, socialization and etc, etc.

My kids go/have gone/will go to Preschool. Our Preschool does not accept kids under the age of 3.

3's go 2x a week for 2.5 hours a day
4's go 3x a week for 2.5 hours a day
Jr. Kindergarten (4's) go 4x a week for 2.5 days a week

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Its ok to put your kid in a school setting early for other reasons. If the child is bored, like mine are most of the time get them into an activity. Some parents do gyms or dance classes. Playdates at the park ect ect.

Im working on my bachelors but thats not why I put my kids in preschool/daycare twice a week. I can never get my house cleaned or a moment of peace to get anything done with kids in tow. I put them into a babysitting setting so I can do the things I WANT TO DO! Im still a person who has needs that need to be met. Becoming a MOM doesnt make your life over till the kids are 18!!! hell I went to preschool and I remember it well, i loved it!
Dont feel guilty, do whats best for your family!!! Screw what everyone else thinks, we are not all programmed to "SAHM" it.

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It seems that you are having a little trouble justifying sending your child to preschool unless you need daycare. Most people who use part-time preschool stay at home with their kids. If you have a full-time job, part-time preschool isn't enough.

Since there are part-day preschools everywhere that have waiting lists full of names, try to separate the idea of needing justification to use them from what you think your child needs. By all means send her to preschool if you feel she could use the social outlet. You can think of all kinds of benefits, but don't always feel like you have to.

D.

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There is really no big benefit to sending a toddler to daycare just for socializing. With your first child, it probably helped with language development, because sometimes first children fall behind in language. With a older sibling at home, she should develop language fine with socializing with big sister. If you are a member of a church, Sunday School will give her a chance to socialize with others. If you still feel the need for her socialize with others, there are Mothers Day Out programs that may be more beneficial to you. The cost is lower and usually is only available once or twice a week. This would allow you a grocery/shopping trip without the baby or a field trip day for your daughter.

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I'd say it depend on the child AND on you. Will you be a happier, better parent if you do it? Is there something she seems to need that you can't give her?

My husband is a stay-at-home Dad.

We didn't start our oldest at preschool until he was 4. It was very good for him. We should have started him sooner.

We started sending our middle son to "PDO" (parent's day out) at the local United Methodist church one day/week from 9-1 at 18 months. Now, he's 2 and goes 2 days/week . We'll start preschool in the same building next year. At "2 year old PDO", the kids have 2 weeks to get used to the routine, then the "teacher" will start helping potty train them. The whole thing seems to be VERY good for him and as far as HE is concerned, he's going to school.

Our youngest is 8 months and this allows for a little more baby/Daddy bonding that could happen otherwise. But the MAIN reason I suggested it to my husband was that he simply wasn't interacting in a "learning" and "scheduled" way with the kids anymore and son #2 really needed it!

If you can afford it and YOU want to do it, I'd say see if you can find a half day program where you can do 1-2 days/week to find out if it's good for your child AND if it's good for you.

OH - and if I were the stay at home parent? Now that I know how well it has worked out for others ons, yes, I would. Also - if you want to start up a business, I don't see how else you can do it.

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Hi C.,
I do not think it is beneficial at all for a baby to be in a daycare. The best place for her is right with you. 17mo babies don't "socialize" so much as parallel play. I think it is great that you are homeschooling! I will say that my first year homeschooling was a hard one as we were adjusting to a new normal. Things will settle down, and you will find a good routine as a family. Please, keep your baby at home. It will be good for your children to build a strong bond together tht this time will offer them.

Hard question. At 17 months, they don't really know how to "socialize." They sit and play next to each and reach for toys that others are playing with. They are the center of their own little universe and the concept of "share" hasn't formed in their little brains yet. Teachers are like boxing referees separating the two when one baby takes another baby's toy away and one baby bites to get toy back. My oldest son went to 1-day per week pre-school at around age 3. He loved it. When he was 4, with a different teacher, he didn't love it. Stuck with it until he came home one day saying "Teacher says I'm stupid." I pulled him out immediately. Started again the next fall at the Child Development Center at UNT where I was attending, and he and his younger sister both LOVED going there. Our last child attended Nature School at River Legacy Living Science Center in Arlington from age 3 to 5. I can highly recommend their 1 day per week program (www.rllsc.org). My final answer to your question is: Try it. But "know when to hold up, know when to fold up, know when to run!" : )

I think it is very beneficial for kids to be socialized with other children their age. it helps them know how to interact with other kids and adults, other than their parents and family. Use the time to start your business or do additional home schooling for your 8 year old. If you do not want to pay for daycare then join a mommy group with like aged kids.

I think I would. Not just for the socialization, but for your interests too. If you can afford it and can find a good environment, I think it's a great idea. Good luck with your business!

I would send her esp if you need some "you" time and you think she would enjoy it. It would be a good thing. No guilt :)

I do homeschool (and love it!), and if I had another child would *also* send them to the same killer preschool my son went to. It was a wonderful place, and an amazing experience.

As far as it being beneficial, 6 of one, half a dozen of another. For some kids and families yes, for others... no.

IMHO, and in my experience... SAHPs need "time away"/ to themselves, more than any other group. (Having done all 3, WP, SAHP, CollegeP). For my HS'd 8yo he spends one afternoon at Nana's and is in 7 different outside classes and activities (easy and relaxing, he's only gone 1-3 hours a day, most days). Gives him time to interact with others out from under my eye, and me time to do anything from sleep, study, watch a movie, meet with friends, shop, clean, work... you name it.

Now... I waited to put him in preschool until he was 3... but I put him in for *his* benefit, not mine... as I had ample time away while I was in school. If you need some time to yourself/ time to focus on your eldest... why not? As long as the place is safe+fun+interesting?

I dont believe you HAVE to send her to preschool this young. I sent my son to a preschool program two mornings a week at age two Only because I have no friends or neighbors with young children home during the day, no siblings for him to play with. If you can join a play group with other moms she will be around other children but she will not really play WITH other children till around 3 years SO no hurry. If you join a Mommy and me type class at a Little Gym , Gymbaree or Music Together you will know you are meeting her needs.
at this age she needs to learn to entertain herself. You can try rotating her toys so they are "new", letting her watch educational videos, giving her a music toy where she can scroll thorough to her favorite song (not a real Ipod a baby ipod) get a very small climbing toy with a hide away spot, tiny slide, and top deck that you can keep inside (yard sales and craigs list) so she can play nearby.
That being said I would send her part time if I was ready to open a business or needed time for homeschooling

Their is absolutely nothing wrong with it at all. That is why they call it "mother-day out." I just started my 2 year old in preschool every day. I will be substitute teaching but right now he goes and I am at home. It is amazing what I can get done. He did not like the first few weeks and I felt a little guilty, but this third week, he is doing great! He loves going and is learning and having fun with his new friends. I personally think it is the best thing for them. I think being around mommy all day long does not help them at all.but instead they get more and more dependent on you. I understand why you feel that way but you shouldn't. You need your "me" time just like all other moms and you are helpin them in the long run instead. They need socialization just like adults. I totally think you should do it. Best of luck to you.

I think it would be good for your child. My daughter goes to a babysitter while I'm at school ever since my mom started chemo (she used to watch her) and she loves the babysitter and playing with the other kids. Before she went to the babysitter she was talking sentences (she was 20 months old) so I know she doesn't develop language from them.... she likes to interact, everyone that meets her like at walmart vision where I was ordering contacts were amazed she was an only child because she is very vibrant and sociable as if she had siblings. If I was staying home I'd still send her twice a week, even if its "technically" not beneficial, just because she has so much fun with the kids. You could start your home business with your free time.

Yes, I would. I'm a work away, single mom. I never get any time to myself (except at work, but I am working :)). If I was able to stay at home, I would LOVE to be able send my child to a daycare for a few hours each week. I think it would work wonders for BOTH of us. And, if you are homeschooling your 8 year old, your 8 year old will love it too!

-L.

I have been debating this recently for my almost 4 year old who will be going to kindergarten next year so he can be around other kids but the more I think about, I'm deciding against it.
My daughter who is now in 1st grade didn't go to preschool and she is doing great socially and educationally and she's shy compared to our middle son. I would suggest getting a learning program for your daughter. Currently I am doing the Kindergarten Learn to Read program with my son that Hooked on Phonics makes (they have programs more age appropriate for your daughter).
I also just joined a MOMS club in my area so I can get out during the day sometimes and be around other moms and my kids that are home with me during the day have other kids to play with besides family. It's only $25 per year in my area. Just Google MOMS of then your city name. I bet there's a few different ones in the Dallas area.

I think it is beneficial to have toddlers in a daycare/preschool setting at least a couple hours a week. My kids learned so much from other kids that I never would have been able to teach them. I am a SAHM and at 16 or 17 months my daughter started going to daycare for 2.5 hours every Wednesday. She has loved it from the very beginning. Now she goes three mornings a week (but I am back to school as well). Turns out, I enjoyed those couple hours of freedom too. :)

No-there is not really a "socializing" benefit at that age at all. The benefit will be for you to have time for your business. If you really need to do this it won't hurt her but she will benefit more from the stability of being home with you full time. Can you wait a year or two and then get her in a preschool program?