Daycare Dilemmas

To daycare or not to daycare; and then, which one and how? In the absence of adequate employer support, these questions are vital for many families. We talk to parents and consult experts for advice. by MANIDIPA MANDAL

- Manidipa Mandal

WHEN THE PRIMARY caregiver—typically, the mother— considers returning to work, a good daycare suddenly becomes important. It’s all that Anupama Krishnan and her husband Rahul wanted for her daughter Kanika. For the 39-year-old deputy design manager at a leading publishing firm in NOIDA, who had no other family members on hand, crèche was a necessity. A good friend recommended a home-based caregiver in the neighbourhood, which turned out to be perfect for their initially cautious two-yearold. Now 5, Kanika goes to a nearby school with daycare, and actually looks forward to it.

Not everyone is so lucky. Bengaluru-based business analyst Ann Thomas, 29, mother to 2.5-year-old Evan, looked around in vain when returning to work at an IT firm 4 months postpartum. “However, we couldn’t find something that matched our parenting styles.” She wanted a gentle approach for 1-year-olds to learn the alphabet or start writing; no insistence on ‘finishing’ lunch; and facilities to store and feed expressed milk till Evan was at least a year old. Thankfully, Evan’s grandparents stepped in to stay home with him. However, Thomas feels the dilemma is only deferred—daycare will be needed for afterschool hours eventually.

So what are all the aspects you need to consider before you decide to send your child to a crèche and how do you pick the right one?

THE RIGHT TIME