However, that language is not widely used by parents or children. Don't know of any 4 year olds that say "I don't want to go to my childcare center!" |
NP here. I’m a mom of 3 and my youngest (currently 18 months) is by far my most verbally and socially advanced toddler. I totally credit this to having older siblings + their friends around all the time. She is so aware/interested in what these kids are doing and repeats words/tries to talk to them all the time. When we go to the pool or library story time, she is the outgoing kid walking up to others trying to share toys and waving and saying “hi.” She is currently in a nanny share, but we’re looking to switch to a group setting soon because I absolutely believe she benefits from social interaction and will do great in a setting with structured activities. |
Oh I love this post. PP, A+. |
+1 Amen |
Your four year old is probably going to a preschool, unlike that 18 month old in a different part of the center. If you don't like the word daycare, you could say, "I gotta pick my kid up from childcare," on your way out of work. You, as an adult, can even say daycare or childcare to other adults while your child says school. Or just call it school for everyone as it sounds like you prefer? You do have options, though. It's not like you have to say school to other adults just because your kid likes to call it school. |
I also don’t have to call it daycare just because you don’t like my word choices. |
That’s great that you want to turn this into a race issue but your personal observations do not align with the evidence based science or reality. You really think supporting the $3 million dollar salary of the white male CEO of the publicly traded lllc Bright Horizons is somehow a progressive action? You’ve been conned. They literally pay less than almost any other center and are known for high turnover and worker exploitation. And, yes, ratios and hours spent in group care matter. |
I think the wars have to do with old and dated stereotypes of what a daycare is and what a preschool is. What’s funny is that the quality of “daycare” has improved so much in the last 10 to 15 years that the fact that this generation of parents to young kids are hung up on words is baffling. I think it’s people who need to put others down to make themselves feel better. At the end of the day It doesn’t matter if you call it a Daycare, Preschool, school, childcare center, if your child is healthy, safe, thriving and growing. |
There are a lot of different posters on this thread who dislike your word choice, but I literally wrote, "or just call it school." |
I agree - although my experience is different - my daughter has been at a childcare center since 4.5 months (now 2) - but she is so social. It's clear she has meaningful relationships with the other children. After she left the infant room (~age 1) when I came breastfeed her during lunch she would circle back and interact with one of the older babies left in the infant room through the door gate. We once ran into a toddler classmate in the park and the glee they had seeing each other and then playing together (they slid down the double slide together repeatedly) was fun to watch. When her friend a month younger than her moved up to the toddler room - she "instructed" him on the ropes of circle time according to her teachers. Now she is a very social kid so I actually think one needs to take the temperament of the child into account - a less social baby/toddler might not thrive so much in a group setting. I have no issues calling what she goes to "school" She's learned the ABC song there. The teachers design carefully thought out activities they call "provocations" so the kids explore all sorts of materials, art projects etc. I do also call it daycare even though I know it's not the preferred term just because it's easier sometimes. :) |
In summary, "daycare" is incorrect, "school" is incorrect, and "childcare center" and "family childcare home" are mouthfuls. Given this, I have to wonder why anyone feels so strongly about what parents call it informally. |
The law defines these programs very specifically.
For example, in Alexandria, these 2 very different programs are both "child day centers:" Bright Horizons Old Town https://dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc2.cgi?rm=Details;ID=41241;search_keywords_name=alexandria;search_require_client_code-2101=1 Westminster Weekday Preschool https://dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc2.cgi?rm=Details;ID=16029;search_exact_fips=510;search_keywords_name=preschool;search_require_client_code-2101=1 This one is a "religious exempt child day center:" St. Paul's Episcopal Preschool https://dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc2.cgi?rm=Details;ID=42004;search_require_client_code-2105=1;search_exact_fips=510 Although they all have serve preschool-aged children, none of them is a "preschool" as defined by law. |
Wow what a revelation, so you're saying parents should use the legally defined terms in their state? That sounds super practical and won't lead to confusion at all. |
Absolutely. So much this re who looks like a storybook "preschool teacher." |
NP. My kids are older teens now and I will say this: stay far, far away from people who feel strongly about this topic. They invariably turn out to be the parents you don’t want your kids around. It’s a handy guide, sort of like how you also want to avoid people with really strong feelings on redshirting. |