NYC parents of toddlers often debate the best caregiver setting for their young toddlers. Many parents have to decide between daycare and a nanny. We wanted to lay out a couple of important considerations when making this decision. The most important consideration for children under 3 is the quality of the CAREGIVER rather than the environment. This could be an excellent nanny or a daycare center with a low child to caregiver ratio. If your child is not in daycare, we would recommend a couple of classes just to get used to the communal setting. At 3 years of age, children develop the capacity for empathy as well as group/social play so the communal environment becomes much more important.

Now, let’s take a quick look at important considerations for those of you who might be considering a daycare or preschool setting.

  1. Make sure the teachers are warm, attentive, and really seem to know the children as individuals. At this young age, the priority is fostering a strong relationship between caregiver and child.
  2. Always look for a play based setting as this is how kids learn at this age. In addition, look for teachers with specialties in art and music.
  3. The daycare has an educational strategy that challenges and stimulates kids rather than just keeping them busy.
  4. There is frequent communication from the daycare and the caregivers integrate your cultural and parenting styles when possible.
  5. The school has a low child to caregiver ratio to stimulate more 1:1 interaction and individual attention.
  6. The school has hygiene and safety protocols in place.
  7. Once you have narrowed your decision down to 2 or 3 locations, talk  with other parents with enrolled students, take a look at the daily schedule, check accreditations and then trust your decision!