“Is preschool better than staying at home?” is a question many parents ask. Most of them are concerned about the safety of their children, and they don’t want to take chances with them. It seems that most of them have already raised their children in the home, so they know what safety means. And yet, these same parents are ready to leave their children in the care of strangers even when a more capable family member or babysitter can be found.
A more responsible choice would be to leave your child with a sitter who knows how to watch them all day. If you don’t have a sitter, a simple online search can provide more information about childcare providers in Orlando, including hours of operation and their contact information. You can call the companies and ask if any of their childcare workers are certified. Of course, all childcare providers should have a license. But just because it’s licensed doesn’t mean you know it’s trustworthy.
The sitters most often hired are from Day Care Centers. Although they may claim to be child care, it’s usually just a way to get some extra cash from parents. They may take the children to preschool for only an hour or two during the day. Then they go home to their daycare area and sleep with the children overnight.
Some Orlando homeschooling families do feel that Day Care Centers is a necessary evil. The fact that they are in business doesn’t change the fact that they are exploiting children by keeping them in daycare. There are more reputable Orlando homeschooling groups like the Magic of Orlando Homeschooling that do not allow centers that do not screen their employees. And Day Care Companies doesn’t have to tell the state how many children they have on their rolls, although you should be able to inquire about this. But most reputable childcare providers should be honest about how many kids they have in a year or two.
The best childcare providers are those that encourage parent involvement. If you feel that a daycare program is too restricted and inflexible when it comes to scheduling and move-in/move-out times, then you might consider sending your child to an indoor school. These types of schools provide everything your child needs to get and stay organized, like large classrooms with small cubbies for papers, a large space for active learning games, computer labs for teachers and children, and teacher-led activities and group projects. You’ll find that day cares are not the best environments for children to learn if they are constantly being monitored.
Is preschool better than staying at home? There are certainly drawbacks to sending your child to a daycare center. But if you want your child to have a positive educational experience, you should strongly consider homeschooling instead. Your child will be happier, healthier, and more successful at school if you work together to create an enriching curriculum that keeps him or her busy and happy. Visit Thejupiterschool.com for more information.
