Is daycare a good choice for babies?

Parents want to continue working, contributing, and building a secure life for their families, but they also feel conflicted about leaving their child in daycare. Many are choosing between a full-time nanny and a daycare. Some have already tried one and are reconsidering the other.

Let me say this upfront:
👉 If you have the time, energy, and mental bandwidth to care for your child at home, there is absolutely nothing better than parental care.
But when the choice is between a nanny and daycare, I strongly lean towards a good daycare and by good, I don’t mean babysitting centres.
I’m talking about daycares that are actively invested in early development, where children learn simply by observing, exploring, moving, and engaging, not just being “kept safe”.

From my own experience (both personal and professional):
• I’ve seen nannies glued to their phones while the child passively watches
• I’ve met grandparents caring for young children who desperately need rest but feel guilty even admitting it
• I’ve seen families struggle silently because they feel they should be able to manage everything

When I was building InuPinu Preschool & Daycare, I had to place my baby in daycare too. Not because I didn’t have help, my mother was supporting me, but because I wanted:
• A structured environment for my baby
• Time for my mother to rest and live stress-free
• And for myself, peace of mind without guilt

What truly changed my perspective was seeing what babies are capable of. I’ve personally witnessed:
• A 14-month-old correcting himself while matching visual cards
• A 19-month-old pairing similar-looking cards correctly, a clear sign of cognitive development
• A 13-month-old who wasn’t walking, gained confidence through open exploration and started walking on his own
• A 22-month-old who wasn’t talking start communicating more. Repeating words, naming objects around her, and now beginning to join words together

Children in the early years are extremely capable. They absorb everything. They don’t need pressure, they need the right environment.
That’s also why I chose to invest in a daycare curriculum, not just a preschool one.

Because daycare children deserve more than supervision, they deserve intentional play and learning.

So, coming back to the question:
👉 Yes, daycare can be a very good choice, if it’s truly developmental and not just babysitting.
👉 And if you don’t have the option to be fully present at home, there should be no guilt attached to that decision.
I’d genuinely love to hear more perspectives on this.

What has your experience been as a parent, caregiver, or professional?

Share your thoughts on my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7416336631374221312/