I often get asked by educators, students and parents, which child care avenue is better for a child’s development – The ministry mandated larger scaled centres, or the small scaled home based, where some (wait for it) are NOT regulated.
I’ll start out by confidently saying that I promote a variety of child care options for children, including the two currently in debate. I’ve observed amazing child care centres, and some resembling jazzed up institutions. I’ve observed incredibly inviting home care settings, and other homes that left me scratching my head in wonder that the walls were still upright.
Basing our assessment on physical space is a significant factor in the selection process yes, but in my opinion, it’s the educator that holds the most significant piece to the puzzle. You could be in a centre or home care setting that may not look the most inviting, but has amazing educators. Likewise you could be in the fanciest best laid out space ever seen, but the educators are subpar.
A good educator can introduce loose parts and creative invitations to a limited space, a good educator creates an environment of positive learning regardless of the space they inhabit, and a good educator caters to the specific needs of each child in their care. The hard part is getting to know an educator in a relatively short period time before your child starts down whichever child care path.
Do your homework, ask strategic questions, and try and see for yourself before you pass judgement on one or the other. For the record my 3 year old son currently goes to a home daycare with 3 other children, and he is always learning new things! But so long as he’s around other children with a positive educator, the walls that surround him don’t matter so much to me.
Play. challenge. grow 