How many days in care is best for my child | Y Victoria (2024)

It can be challenging to gather and process all the information you need to make an informed decision about your child’s care and education. There are a lot of different options when it comes to early learning, and atYMCA Victoriawe are here to help you make an informed decision by providing you with as much information on your options as we can.

As early learning professionals, we understand that early learning is essential in helping children thrive, but we often get asked the question, ‘How many days a week should my child attend to ensure they are receiving the benefits of early learning?’.

Knowing how many care days are right for your child is often based on individual circ*mstances, but to support your family to make the best informed decision we’ve gathered some information based on current research to help.

Hours per week
A long-term study conducted in the US found that a minimum of 15 hours per week is necessary for children to experience cognitive outcomes from early learning. The study also found that these outcomes were optimised when children started care before the age of four. The study highlighted that more countries are offering closer to 20 and 30 hours per week.

Length of years
Research has found that participating in an early childhood education program for two years, rather than one year, has significant positive influence on the outcomes of children. It also found that children who attend early childhood education for two years or more perform better at school.

Full-time or part-time care?
Studies have also found that an extended period of preschool experience on a part-time basis is more likely to be advantageous to the child than a shorter time period of full-time care.

Benefits out way cost in early learning education
Based on these findings it is clear that children enrolled in care for at least two to three days per week experience greater long term benefits, including an easier transition to school and increased social growth. The benefits of participating in high quality early childhood education are far-reaching and long-term, and it’s important that children are able to experience all of the available benefits.

Got more questions?

You can learn more about the Y's early education services and child care centres.

How many days in care is best for my child | Y Victoria (2024)

FAQs

What is the best amount of days for daycare? ›

Based on these findings it is clear that children enrolled in care for at least two to three days per week experience greater long term benefits, including an easier transition to school and increased social growth.

How much is child care in Victoria? ›

Typical childcare costs
Childcare typeTypical price range
Centre-based childcareA$70 to A$185 dollars per day
Family day careA$6 to A$17 per hour
NanniesA$15 to A$35 per hour
Au pairs (living in your home)A$170 to A$250 per week

Is daycare better than staying home with mom? ›

Contrary to what many people think, children who attend child care have similar outcomes to children who are cared for at home by their mothers. This is true for typically-developing children and children with special needs.

What is the best age for daycare? ›

Daycares are perfect for toddlers between the ages of 1 to 2 years as these centers provide children with ample opportunities to develop their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills.

How long is too long for a toddler at daycare? ›

Around 20 to 25 hours of care is usually appropriate for toddlers between the ages of one to three years old. If your family needs more than 25 hours of care each week, consider cutting back on work hours to allow you more time with your child. However, this is easier said than done for most families.

Is 10 hours at daycare too much? ›

The maximum amount of time a child can stay in day care is typically 12 hours a day, though it's best to not go over 10 hours if possible to ensure they're getting enough time at home with family. The number of hours a child is at a day care facility may affect their behavior and development.

Is daycare free in Victoria? ›

The Victorian Government offers free kindergarten funding for eligible children to support their learning and development in the year before they start school. This funding covers 15 hours of kindergarten per week, which can be used at any approved kindergarten program in Victoria.

How much is kindergarten in Victoria? ›

The Victorian Government has announced that kindergarten will be free for every child attending a participating kindergarten.

Who funds childcare in Victoria? ›

The Victorian Government has committed $14 billion to expand kindergarten programs across the state and give children the best start to life. As part of this major initiative we're building 50 new early learning and childcare centres across Victoria.

Are kids happier at home or daycare? ›

Decreased Stress and Aggression in Kids

Subsequent studies also showed higher levels of stress in children in childcare settings compared with those who are cared for at home. 10 But that doesn't mean you have to keep your children with you every minute until they're ready to go to school.

How long should mom stay home with baby? ›

As with most aspects of pregnancy and the postpartum period, there's no one-size-fits-all rule on when to return to work after birth, and every new mom's situation will be different. Some moms return to work just a few weeks after having a baby, while others take up to a year (or longer) of maternity leave.

Is staying home better than daycare? ›

Parents are able to be more intimately involved in their child's day-to-day activities, and can provide a more nurturing and secure environment for their children. Another benefit is that stay-at-home parents can save money on daycare costs while still providing their children with a stimulating and safe environment.

Is daycare stressful for toddlers? ›

The more time young children spend in childcare facilities, the more likely they are to develop abnormal stress hormone profiles. What's normal? Typically, the body produces high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the early morning. As the day wears on, cortisol levels decline.

Does daycare cause attachment issues? ›

However, among very young children (i.e., under two years old), less sensitive and attentive parenting coupled with 30 or more hours per week in low-quality nonparental care is associated with moderate elevations in risk for later developmental difficulties in peer relations, compliance, and attachment.

How long does it take for a child to adjust to daycare? ›

The period of adaptation usually lasts from two to four weeks depending on the age and temperament of the child. Some toddlers, however, can need up to 2 months to adjust to their new environment and to feel safe with the educator.

Is it better to do consecutive days at daycare? ›

Penny says consecutive days can help to create an environment where children can really thrive. “Young children tend to thrive on having consistency and predictability in their routines. “It helps them to know what to expect and to anticipate what is going to happen each day.

How much of your budget should go to daycare? ›

To put this in perspective, child care is considered affordable if it costs households no more than 7% of their income, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Not only is child care expensive, it's also simply unavailable for a number of families.

How many hours should a 3 year old go to nursery? ›

A: All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of funded early education or childcare a year. Your child is entitled to a maximum of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. Approved providers include child-minders, playgroups, pre-schools and day nurseries that are registered and inspected by OFSTED.

What's the average cost of daycare in Florida? ›

Child Care Usage in Florida:

The average annual cost of care for an infant is $8,376 in a child care center and $7,449 in a family child care home. The average annual cost of care for a 4 year old is $6,647 in a child care center and $6,325 in a family child care home.

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