What Are the Functions of Day Care Facilities?

A day care facility is a business that temporarily cares for children. Although most facilities care for children who are too young to begin school, some also provide after-school care to school-age children. Day care employees feed children, change their diapers, interact with them and in some cases, educate them.

Purpose

In many households, both spouses have to work to cover the family's expenses. Working parents need child care if their children are too young to look after themselves. Day care offers working parents half-day, full-day and sometimes after-school care.

Regulations

State laws regulate day care businesses. In Missouri, for example, day care staff must not have a criminal record and must be over the age of 18. Day cares must also meet a certain staff-to-child ratio that varies according to the child's age.

Alternatives

Other alternatives exist for parents who opt out of day care: nannies, au pairs, relative care, staying at home and early preschool. Since there are benefits and drawbacks to all options, parents should mutually discuss which option would work best for them. They should examine factors such as cost, flexibility and the level of personalized interaction.

References

• Baby Center: Child Care Options: Pros, Cons and Costs
• Day Care: Missouri State Requirements