In a daycare center, parents or guardians can leave their kids while they go to work or take care of other obligations. Children can study, play, socialize, and receive care from qualified adults there. Although the idea of childcare has been around for generations, it wasn’t institutionalized into an institution until the 19th century. Who then created daycare?
The industrial revolution was in full flow in the early 19th century, which is when daycare first emerged. When working-class parents went to work in mines or factories, they had to leave their kids at home. Children were neglected and mistreated as a result of being left unattended for extended periods of time. As a result, social reformers started to push for the opening of childcare facilities where kids could be looked after while their parents were at work.
The first child care facility in the United States was established in New York City in 1844 by a woman by the name of Caroline Shultze. Children under the age of six received care at the facility, known as the Infant School. The success of the school cleared the door for the opening of numerous daycare facilities across the nation.
President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the Head Start program in the 1960s, which offered low-income families early childhood education and care. The initiative was created in response to growing worries about the academic success gap between less advantaged kids and their wealthier peers. Since then, other early childhood education and care organizations all around the world have looked to Head Start as a model.
Parents frequently debate whether it is preferable to keep their kids at home or send them to daycare. Since it relies on a number of variables, including the child’s age, temperament, and family’s financial status, there is no simple solution to this question. High-quality child care has been linked to improved cognitive, social, and emotional development in children, according to studies. Some parents, however, choose to stay at home with their kids because they think that is the best way to provide them the care and attention they require.
The price of daycare in the United States varies according to the facility, the child’s age, and the type of care provided. Child Care Aware of America reported that in 2019, the average annual cost of center-based daycare for a baby was $9,948. A four-year-old’s annual cost was $8,758, which was marginally less. The average cost of in-home childcare was $7,189 per year for a child aged four or younger and $8,048 per year for infants.
Finally, it’s crucial to remember that not all American home daycare facilities are licensed. A survey by Child Care Aware of America estimates that 37% of childcare providers operate illegally. This can endanger children because they are not held to the same rules and requirements as certified providers. Always do your research and pick a service provider that complies with local, state, and federal regulations.
In conclusion, childcare has a long history and is crucial to the lives of families all around the country. Since Caroline Shultze established the first daycare facility in 1844, the idea has developed and been expanded to cover a range of early childhood education and care programs. Although the choice of whether to enroll a kid in daycare or keep them at home is a personal one, it is crucial for parents to pick a provider that is both licensed and regulated and satisfies their child’s needs.