What age should you start childcare?

Starting early 

Most childcare centres care for babies from six-weeks old. In fact, The Australian Institute of Family wrote that 35% of children, aged up to one year, are cared for in a formal early childhood education centre. 

Babies require regular sensory stimulation to develop physically and emotionally —a childcare environment is well-equipped to provide that stimulation. Even very young babies will enjoy music, books, messy play, physical challenges (such as tummy time), and other engaging activities provided by nurturing carers. 

Another benefit to starting early is the impact on your child’s immune system. There’s abundant research stating that children who attend childcare early in life are less likely to become sick during their first school years. Your baby may become unwell a few times in the initial weeks at childcare, but their immunity quickly adapts and becomes stronger. Parents find that their bubs become sick much less often after that because their bodies are better-able to fight off germs, viruses, and bacteria. That’s pretty amazing! 

Finally, although all children go through separation anxiety, children who are comfortable and familiar with being away from their parents are less impacted by it. A secure, loving childcare experience teaches children from a very young age that their parents will always come back for them, and they’re still safe and loved in the meantime. 

Starting later 

One of the biggest factors keeping parents from enrolling a toddler in childcare — even if they want to — is their child’s separation anxiety. Often, childcare if the first time they’ve been separated from their primary carer, and this new territory is scary to navigate. 

By two-years-old, most children are past developmental separation anxiety, but have a heightened sense of stranger-awareness. Toddlers can be anxious around new people or unfamiliar places… Like childcare. Choosing a childcare centre with experienced, nurturing Educators will help greatly here. When you have a tour, let the Educator know your little one is apprehensive and explore the ways the centre will help them feel safe, secure, and loved as they settle in. 

A huge benefit to starting childcare later is the socialisation. Many toddlers don’t have siblings, or have school-aged siblings that can’t play with them during the day. Being exposed to communicative interactions and cooperative play experiences outside the home is an excellent way to build social skills. Educators will model appropriate behaviour whilst encouraging toddlers to explore their independence and relationships with peers. 

Let’s talk about it 

So, when should you start childcare? When it’s right for you! We know starting childcare at any age can feel like a huge decision, so if you’d like to explore it more with us, we’re listening. We’d love to show you around a Sagewood Early Learning centre, get to know you, and talk about the right timing for your family.