Daycare Centres - Are they really reliable?

Does anyone have a first hand experience of sending their babies / toddlers / preschoolers to a daycare center and wouldn't mind sharing their feedback with me on this forum? Are daycare/creche reliable and child-friendly?[/quote

My experience with Creches or Daycare Centers is they are commercial organizations and Nothing can match a "Mother/s Care/ parental care.

Since there are no proper laws or predefined rules related to daycare/creche etc. it really depends on the person who actually runs such a centre. Although I personally have no experience with my child, since I chose to remain home for his care, I know many friends who send their children to such places. While some had totally horrible experiences with their daycare, some of them had very good experiences. So it is upto an individual to make a lot of inquiries and do a thorough homework before sending their child to any daycare centre or creche!

I know nothing can match a mother's care and attention, but there comes a point in your life when you have to take a decision. :)

Thanks for reverting Kalyani :)

Even I have quit my job to take care of my baby, but am unable to choose between daycare and a nanny. Even I know many friends/colleagues who have kids and have hired a babysitter at home. But I feel if at all I have to choose between a daycare and a baby sitter a daycare would be safer.

A Baby sitter at Home would be an ideal choice. But through such agencies which deal with Hiring of Baby sitters. The Agencies have the Baby sitter's full and detailed Credentials.

Since there are no proper laws or predefined rules related to daycare/creche etc. it really depends on the person who actually runs such a centre. Although I personally have no experience with my child, since I chose to remain home for his care, I know many friends who send their children to such places. While some had totally horrible experiences with their daycare, some of them had very good experiences. So it is upto an individual to make a lot of inquiries and do a thorough homework before sending their child to any daycare centre or creche!

In fact there are laws that require the baby sitting /day care centers to register with the local bodies and also have the minimum requirements but it is not being followed. There are a couple of such creches run by a group of ladies who do it within the premises of one of their house and they too have had to register and are given proper certification. They are well run and dont take more than the required number of children, normally about 10 -12 only...If there is one that has been registered it may be a good idea to try ne so that you get a first hand experience since not all of them are bad ...

Since there are no proper laws or predefined rules related to daycare/creche etc. it really depends on the person who actually runs such a centre. Although I personally have no experience with my child, since I chose to remain home for his care, I know many friends who send their children to such places. While some had totally horrible experiences with their daycare, some of them had very good experiences. So it is upto an individual to make a lot of inquiries and do a thorough homework before sending their child to any daycare centre or creche!

In fact there are laws that require the baby sitting /day care centers to register with the local bodies and also have the minimum requirements but it is not being followed. There are a couple of such creches run by a group of ladies who do it within the premises of one of their house and they too have had to register and are given proper certification. They are well run and dont take more than the required number of children, normally about 10 -12 only...If there is one that has been registered it may be a good idea to try ne so that you get a first hand experience since not all of them are bad ...

Now, not only Daycare centres,but, domestic helps are also required to register their names and obtain an identity card with their photos. I have seen in Bangalore, this rule is strictly adhered. In major apartments, the security personnel would check these identity cards. The same applies to Crèches and Daycare centres.

Thanks for reverting Kalyani :)

Even I have quit my job to take care of my baby, but am unable to choose between daycare and a nanny. Even I know many friends/colleagues who have kids and have hired a babysitter at home. But I feel if at all I have to choose between a daycare and a baby sitter a daycare would be safer.

Mousumi, before choosing between the two, you should make a note of pros and cons in both the cases. If there is someone at home, a grandmother or a grandmother for instance, who can watch over the nanny, then go for that option. The child will be happy in his own home. But if you are thinking of leaving the house and the baby entirely to a nanny, I don't think its wise enough, unless of course, the nanny is very familiar and has proved trustworthy enough. Otherwise it is always safe to leave your child in the daycare where your child is not alone, there are other kids as well.

As Kalyani said, it is necessary to give a thought on crèche or Daycare centre or Nanny (even the Nanny is from your relative circle) if they cater to your needs or not. Then arrive at a definitive conclusion.

I know nothing can match a mother's care and attention, but there comes a point in your life when you have to take a decision. :)

Absolutely. You must take a decision, but with precautions. After all every mother wants her child is in the right hands and under trusted custody in her absence.

Completely agree with you Kalyani. It is better to have someone over like a grandmother to watch over a nanny than to leave my baby with a complete stranger. After all the recent news in Pune about a babysitter beating a 1yr old ruthlessly for no reason when both parents were in their offices was scary! Hence, was considering a daycare as my option. Yeah a thorough research has to be done before I finalize a daycare.

Completely agree with you Kalyani. It is better to have someone over like a grandmother to watch over a nanny than to leave my baby with a complete stranger. After all the recent news in Pune about a babysitter beating a 1yr old ruthlessly for no reason when both parents were in their offices was scary! Hence, was considering a daycare as my option. Yeah a thorough research has to be done before I finalize a daycare.

I know how hard it is for a mother to leave her child in others' care, so I would suggest that you take care of your baby for as long as you can. I know financial considerations are of prime importance nowadays with increasing prices for everything, but your baby also needs you more than anything else. I too had a good career until my son was born but chose to give it up rather than entrust him to someone else's care. At least until the age of 5, mothers should care for their children. Now there are plenty of jobs for people with good experience and skills. But if working is absolutely necessary then go ahead and send your child to daycare centre, but do a lot of research and consider at least 3 or 4 such places. Visit these places at odd times before prior notice and observe how other children appear. whether they look happy or distressed, contented etc. That should give a clue!

Completely agree with you. And like you said //Visit these places at odd times before prior notice and observe how other children appear. whether they look happy or distressed, contented etc. That should give a clue!// Sounds really helpful and worth giving a try!

Completely agree with you. And like you said //Visit these places at odd times before prior notice and observe how other children appear. whether they look happy or distressed, contented etc. That should give a clue!// Sounds really helpful and worth giving a try!

Yes Mousumi, it does give a clue as to how well or otherwise the children are treated there. Also visiting at odd times unexpectedly lets you on on the actual goings on in such places. If you visit only while leaving and picking up the child, those are the only times the staff will behave!