The following is reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. A link to their WEB site, which contains this document and over 50 other Family Facts sheets, is listed in our Links For Parents And Daycare Providers area. Most child and adolescent psychiatrists recognize that the ideal environment for raising a small child is in the home with parents and family. Intimate daily direct parental care of infants for the first several months of life is particularly important. Since the ideal environment often is not available, the role of day care, especially in the first few years of the child's life, needs to be considered.
Some experts recommend a minimum of six or more months leave for parents.
All agree that when day care is used, the quantity and quality of the day care are significant in the child's development. Before choosing a day care environment, parents should be familiar with the state licensure regulations for child care. They should also check references and observe the caregivers with the child. Parents sometimes take their young child to the home of a person who is also caring for one or more others. A lot of individual attention.