Full-Time Daycare On A Part-Time Work Schedule?
How many days per week does your child need professional care? If you work a part-time schedule, take a look at the questions to ask before you decide to reduce your child's daycare hours.
Do You Need Extra Child-Free Time During the Week?
A full day in pre-k or an early learning environment can leave even the most energetic toddler tired. If your young student doesn't have the patience or energy to accompany you on a post-school grocery store trip, stop at the dry cleaners, or do anything else that you can't get done during your normal work day, extra time in daycare gives you a chance to complete your errands solo. This can make it easier for you to check everything off of your to-do list, reduce the likelihood of a public toddler tantrum, and give you more quality time with your child.
Does Your Child Need A Consistent Schedule?
A predictable regular schedule can help your child adjust to the daycare experience and feel more comfortable while you're away. This allows your child to feel safe and secure, develop expectations for what happens at school, and engage in the learning process, according to the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center.
Even though it is possible to build and maintain a consistent schedule while in part-time care, it's often easier to do so with a full-time (Monday through Friday) arrangement. If you're searching for a way to help your child separate weekdays from weekends, consider a full-time school schedule—regardless of how many days you work each week.
Does Your Child Need A Social Environment?
More specifically, does your child need (or want) a social environment that goes beyond your immediate family or household members? Even though parents, siblings, and other family members who may live at home (such as grandparents) do provide a source of social interaction, your child may still crave the group or class setting their experience in daycare.
If you feel that your child could benefit from more time with like-aged peers, a full-time schedule adds extra hours of social play to the week. Not only will your child enjoy interacting with their classmates, but the early childhood program setting also provides a way to build skills or develop abilities such as turn-taking, sharing, communication (listening and talking), and empathy.
Will Your Child Miss Out On Activities Or Opportunities?
Every day in a child care center is different. This means a part-time schedule could leave your child longing for the art activities, music time, storytime, dramatic play, gross motor play, or other lessons they miss on the days they aren't in care. If your child wants to engage in every activity the teacher plans or you feel it's important for your child to explore every content area and lesson the preschool offers, you may need to choose a full-time schedule.
For more information, contact a daycare center near you.