Childcare refers to the act of caring for and monitoring minor children. It covers wide areas like chill activities, conventions, development, and institutions. The parents will need to mutually decide amongst them to take up specific responsibilities in the upbringing of child on aspects like physical, social and mental health development since they are very important in the early years.

 Forms of childcare

 Childcare can be classified into 3 categories: 

• In- home care
• Childcare centers
• Family child care

In-home Care

 In-home care involves leaving the child in the supervision of a nanny in the house. This has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages 

• Home Care allows the child to remain in his own surroundings free from the negative behavior of other children. The child gets individual attention and care at home.
• The caregiver of your child will look after your child if he is ill and no separate arrangements have to make.
• The child feels secure in the home environment thus eliminating his fears of anxiety, which may otherwise affect his mental health.

Disadvantages 

• Caregivers may prove costly or difficult to find someone who is willing to accept. The benefits, the wages may go beyond their budget,
• You are dependant on your caregiver for the ability to work.
• You cannot judge e or supervise the performance of the care giver as you are away at work
• If your caregiver leaves unexpectedly in crisis or for vacation, it becomes difficult to find the new one and to adjust with the new caregiver.
• The privacy and security is limited if the caregiver stays at home.

 Child care Centers

 Childcare centers are daycare centers, which offer a formal structured environment for the children

 Advantages 

• Childcare centers have clear-cut rules for parents to follow which makes you aware as to what is expected out of you.
• Arrangement at centers are usually stable and not affected by the staffs absence or illness,
• There are trained professionals in centers who nurture and develop the Childs skills accordingly.
• Centers provide range of activities from playing, singing, dancing, and learning in a structured and methodical way.
• Children get to socialize with the children of their age groups.

Disadvantages 

• Parents need to adjust their schedules with daycare and adapt to the changes.
• Some children have difficulty in adapting the new environment with new people around which affects their mental health to some extent giving them a feeling of withdrawal from their parents.
• There may be a sense of instability in children in creating friendships and sharing the surroundings, which solely do not belong to them affecting their mental health.
• Child care is limited to groups and individual attention cannot be given

Relative or family care

 This is a childcare provided by a relative or in the parent’s home. A relative may be a grandparent, aunt, sibling, or cousin.

 Advantages

 There are many advantages of relative care. 

• Parents being the relative know that their child needs will be met. Relative being a family member instills social and cultural values and enhances child development.
• There is more flexibility, as parents need not adjust their timings. The family member accommodates the child needs.
• The cost is negotiable or may not involve in paying, as the relative is a family member. The child feels secure in a homely environment with a known relative and it does not affect his physical and mental health. He can relate things more openly to the relative.

 Disadvantages

 However there are certain disadvantages of relative care. 

• An elderly person may lack the stamina to cope up with he infants moves.
• Disagreement between the parents and relative can affect mental health of children and hamper childcare.
• The child lacks interaction with other kids, which is fundamental for social and mental health development.

 Childcare involves not only physical development but also mental health development. The earlier years of the child are very crucial and require proper supervision and monitoring. Therefore considering good childcare will prove to be beneficial for the parents as well as the child.

Different Forms Of Child Care is a post from: Mental Health