Conclusion

After examining information on the effects that daycare centers have on children combined with my research on daycare costs and safety, I have concluded that the need for care, and the cost of care, truly dictate what daycare option a family will choose. I also found that daycares pose little risk to kids and may help them develop social and communication skills, if the centers are chosen and monitored with the upmost care. Quality homecare can be provided by an immediate family member such as mom, dad, or grandparents at an enormous cost savings. However the quality of the parenting and family structure have a direct impact on the children’s development. When homecare is not an option the amount of money one has to spend on care becomes the deciding factor.  We all want what is best for our children; we will spend what we can to make sure they receive quality care. Not always but most of the time, you get what you pay for and this is absolutely true for childcare.

I am going to continue researching more of the financial aspects of childcare. I want to know more about why the cost for care in Colorado are so high compared to the rest of the country, I am also interested in looking at the differences between for profit centers and not for profit centers and what type of financial assistance may be available.

One aspect of childcare that I did not look at is how it affects the parent. Watching multiple kids, fulltime, can be very stressing for stay at home parents. Is it better for the wellbeing of both the parent and the child if the kids go to daycare at least a little? Is this why some stay at home parents still send their kids to daycare?

I think that I would like to argue for high quality public preschools/daycares for all kids in the country age 6 months and older that want it.

Sincerely,

Jason