Marisa Hammond

Professor Pitsikalis

Lifespan Human Development 2200.503

31 January 2020

High-Quality Daycare Policy

Daycare is an option around the world for parents who need someone to watch

their kids while they go to work or if they just need a break day. It is hard for parents,

especially first time parents, to hand their kids off to someone else that they don’t know

and to a place that they don’t know. But, it can be very beneficial for a child to go to

daycare if those daycares follow a good policy. There should be a federal policy for high

quality daycares that includes these 3 most important things: adequate attention to each

infant, encouragement of language and sensorimotor development, and good,

professional caregivers; along with a policy for paid maternity leave.

One of the most important aspects of a high quality daycare that should be

federally mandated is that each infant gets adequate attention from the caregiver.

Infants need a lot of attention from adults/caregivers for many reasons. One reason

being that they like the get into new things and put things in their mouth that you have to

watch for. Also, getting good attention from a caregiver can help with their social skills.

In an article I was reading it said that in order, “​To help children make connections that

support their development, there should be a 1:4 caregiver to child ratio and no more

than eight children per group. One primary, but not exclusive, caregiver for at least one
year, and optimally until age three, is critical for an infant’s emotional development”

(Zerotothree.org). Getting good attention from caregivers is essential for an infant’s

development.

Another important aspect of a high quality daycare that should be federally

mandated is encouragement of language and sensorimotor development. Since kids

are at daycare all day, caregivers should do exercises and anything to help the kids

cognitively/physically grow. Also, parents would want to know that while they are gone

at work or wherever they may be, that their child is gaining good knowledge and

experiences that will help them grow. There is factual evidence to back up that

encouraging language and sensorimotor development on kids can help them in the

future. One of the websites that I was reading said that, “Children in the Abecedarian

Project, which provided quality child care starting at birth, had long-lasting positive

impacts that led to higher IQ and achievement test scores, fewer grade retentions and

placements in special education, higher levels of college graduation and job-holding,

and healthier outcomes as adults.” (Zerotothree.org). Even though listening to songs

and talking to a baby may not seem like it is doing anything, but it really is and will have

a big impact on their future.

A third important aspect of a high quality daycare that should be federally

mandated is having a good and professional caregiver. Having a professional caregiver

is crucial because they have a lot of liabilities due to taking care of children that aren’t

their own. The caregivers should atleast have certification in child caretaking and

sometimes even have an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education​. Caretakers

should also have good and nurturing qualities to take good care of the children

and make sure that no child is left out. While reading a website, I found that, “​A

National Institute of Child Health and Development study found that when caregivers

were loving and responsive, kids had more positive interactions with one another.”

(Parents.com). Having a good caregiver at daycare can impact how a kid interacts with

other children and adults.

Besides better childcare policies, there needs to be a better maternity/paternity

policies. Having children is the happiest time of a father and mother’s life and they

should be able to spend time with their new child, while also being paid for work. On a

statistical website I was reading about maternity leave, it said that, “25 percent of

women are forced to return to work within 2 weeks of giving birth to support their

families.” (Healthline.com). A mother has to be with her baby for the first couple weeks

after delivery and having a job that doesn’t allow you to take off after giving birth makes

it extremely hard for the mother and baby to bond. Also on the statistical website about

maternity leave, it said, “40 percent of women don’t qualify for the Family Medical Leave

Act (FMLA) which grants 12 weeks of protected job leave, unpaid, at the federal level.”

(Healthline.com). This is extremely sad and frustrating for the unqualified mothers to

know that they basically have to choose between making money and caring for their

newborn baby.

Federal policies should be in place ensuring that daycares are high quality with

factors including ​adequate attention to each infant, encouragement of language and

sensorimotor development, and good, professional caregivers. Also, there should be a

federal policy allowing mothers/fathers to get a longer maternity/paternity leave, some of

which should be paid for. Babies need a lot of care and attention from both a mother

and father and jobs should be aware of that and be willing to help. These should be

standards for a new federal policy because of how crucial birth and infancy is in a child’s

life.

Works Cited

“Infant-Toddler Child Care Fact Sheet.” ​ZERO TO THREE,​

www.zerotothree.org/resources/2012-infant-toddler-child-care-fact-sheet​.

Accessed on January 30, 2020

Solomon, Barbara. “What Makes a Great Daycare.” ​Parents​, 3 Dec. 2018,

www.parents.com/baby/childcare/daycare/what-makes-a-great-daycare/​. Accessed on

January 29, 2020

Froese, Monica. “Maternity Leave in the United States: Facts You Need to Know.”

Healthline,​ Healthline Media, 19 Oct. 2016,

www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/united-states-maternity-leave-facts#Mater

nity-leave-facts-in-the-United-States​. Accessed on January 29, 2020.