Aug 24
2008The term day care is the American name for childcare. Day care also refers to care of the child by someone other than the parents or someone from the child’s immediate family. Children, till the age of three or before they begin to go to school, require supervision and are dependent on adults for their daily needs.
The difference between childcare and day care is actually only a choice of words that has become popular in certain countries. While the term childcare is commonly used in the United Kingdom and Australia, the Americans prefer to use the term Daycare for childcare. Childcare or day care is generally provided in crches or nurseries where parents drop their kids before they leave for work. Most of these crches are run in homes, which makes it convenient for the childcare professional and is good for the child since it provides a home away from home.
In recent times, childcare has moved on to a more formal structure that includes education, child development, discipline and even preschooling. Certain employers provide flexibility to their employees by making provisions for day care facilities either within the office premises or near the place of employment.
Growing Industry
Day care industry is so much in demand, thanks to the growing number of two-income households that many people are starting day care centers and making huge profits as well. It is good news for the parents who get ample choice to pick the day care center that meets all their requirements.
The concept of day care centers has benefited both the employers and the employees. While the real mothers can pursue their careers without having to compromise on the good care of the child, the day care professional can earn a good salary and even find job satisfaction by being in the company of children. No wonder, studies show that the child care worker is the fifth most female-dominated profession in the United States.
There are essentially two types of day care centers - for-profit day care centers run for commercial purposes and non-profit day care centers that are largely sponsored by the Government. The non-profit day care centers enjoy numerous benefits such as preferential rent as they are operated with a social interest.
Most commonly found day care centers are home day care. Home day cares centers are places, which are generally operated by a single individual, or a small family and such places are run out of the homes of the owners. Generally, many stay-at-home parents seeking additional income run such places because they can manage the show while taking care of their own child.
Day care and Child Development
Contrary to popular opinion, day care centers actually benefit the child in many ways. The child learns to interact with other children, and since these centers are run professionally they have well organized programs and impart structured training. Good day care provides different experiences thereby developing the child into a multi-faceted personality. Thus, other than the guilt many parents feel that they are not doing enough for their children the day care centers help their children to cope with their peers, and to build good rapport within a group.
In the ultimate analysis, good day care can complement good parenting and children can greatly benefit from the varied experiences.
