If you need child care, there are three basic options. You can hire a personal babysitter, send them to a small, in-home daycare; or you can send them to a larger childcare center. Sometimes parents think of larger child care centers as an undesirable option because there are many other children and the experience is less personal. However,  there are some advantages to choosing a large childcare center over a babysitter or in-home child care.

1. Strict licensing requirements

In some jurisdictions, there are not a lot of rules and regulations put on babysitters or in-home daycare centers. This does not mean all babysitters and in-home daycares are bad. However, it does mean there's a chance something could fly under the radar. Larger childcare centers are more strictly regulated. Owners have to adhere to certain sanitation protocols, adhere to observation protocols with the kids, and run certain background checks on staff. These requirements help ensure a safe experience for kids.

2. Trained staff

Large childcare centers typically hire staff members who have backgrounds and training in childcare and child education. Many will have attended at least a certificate program. Some may even be certified teachers. This not only enables them to take care of children more safely, but it also teaches them how to interact with kids more effectively, how to help kids learn, and how to guide play. Although learning may not be the top goal of childcare, it is nice if your child can use this time to learn something, and that's more likely to happen at a larger daycare with trained staff.

3. More activities

The larger the childcare center, the more space there typically is to allow for a variety of activities. There might be a playground out back or a whole room dedicated to artwork. In addition, there may be classes and sessions on playing instruments, playing certain sports, or exploring nature. Smaller, in-home childcare centers don't typically have the money, staff, or space to organize such a wide variety of activities. Your child will not only learn from these different experiences. In fact, they may discover something they are passionate about pursuing further as they grow up. 

While large childcare centers are sometimes seen as less personal, they do have their perks. These can be great places for kids to spend time, thanks to the licensing requirements, trained staff, and breadth of activities. Contact a childcare center for more information. 

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