Child care centers and services provide care and supervision to minors usually under the age of five. Caring for kids is provided and met in different ways and these include care at their home or babysitting, in an organized child care center, and in a provider's home. Other centers & services involving older kids are provided by after school and summer school programs, among others.
There are two main types of services:
- center-based and family-based which are provided by persons paid to do these jobs such as pre-school teachers, nannies or babysitters
- caregivers
- center-based or group such as day care centers or pre-schools
- family
- in-home or nanny
- relative
Child care in the United States can be traced back in the 19th century when welfare and reform movements started. Day care started as nurseries that took care of the immigrant and working-class children. These early nurseries provided childcare for kids of working wives and widows of merchant seamen who were considered to be the economically deprived and disadvantaged members of the society. The organizations were established to help working parents take care of their kids as well as prevent young children from roaming the streets.
The nurseries of the 19th century evolved into the modern day care centers which now caters to thousands of children whose parents are both busy to take care of them during daytime. There are different types of places provided by the government and private establishments. When choosing one for your children, you must choose quality care that can help him or her to develop a strong mind, body and spirit. Aside from this, you need to consider the following factors:
- provides training
- group size and child to staff ratio
- health and nutrition - food and drinks provided by the center
- safety - includes study and play areas
- parent and child care center communication
- a well developed program - includes learning and development activities
- partnerships with other child care organizations and agencies
