5 reasons you shouldn't feel guilty about putting your child into childcare.

My friend just dropped her baby off at childcare for the first time and called me straight away.

It brought back so many memories of the first time I dropped my son off. I had chosen a childcare centre in a shopping centre and then spent the entire time in the food court, waiting until I could pick him up.

When I’d left him, he’d been crying at the top of his lungs and walking away went against every parenting instinct I had. When I went to pick him up he was very annoyed. He was finger painting and I was interrupting him. He started crying again.

That was the first and last time I felt guilty dropping him off at childcare. Not that I never feel guilty anymore about anything. I’m a mum, so I feel guilty about everything…feeding him chicken nuggets, the stain on his soccer jersey, the cheaper shoes I bought him…

But not about childcare. Because, finger painting.

Here are 5 reasons why you shouldn’t feel guilty about putting your child into childcare:

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Greenwood Early Education Centres. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words. 

1. Your kids will make friends.

Yes, your child has played with your friends’ children, the kids in your family and they may even have a sibling or two, but nothing compares to children forming their own friendships, even if that friendship consists of sucking on the same plastic apple at childcare twice a week.

It is so valuable to give your children the opportunity to make friends, particularly when you are not around to guide their every move. They’ll have to figure some stuff out for themselves, learn how make friends, keep friends and share. Playing with their friend will keep them active, healthy and happy.

The added bonus is that you’ll suddenly have lots of kids to invite to your child’s birthday parties and for play dates.

2. You will make friends.

I am still friends with some of the parents I met during those first few weeks of childcare and one of my best friends is one of them. We still remember our rushed conversations and drop off and pick up, how delighted we were when we discovered that our children were friends and how determined we were to send them to the same school. Friends forever! For all of us.

Having emotional support is so important when raising kids and the parents you meet at childcare, the ones you’ve never met before who come from different circles, can become some of the best support you’ll ever have.

3. They will learn everything.

I had planned to teach my son the alphabet so many times and finally I had time. I bought the flash cards, pulled him onto my lap and showed him the first card. He whizzed through the entire pack.

Because childcare is amazing these days. They will teach your kids everything from how to make and keep friends, how to have good manners, the alphabet, counting and even things like languages and yoga. They have the time but they also have the techniques. They have STUDIED childcare for years. They know exactly what they are doing and our children benefit as a result. It’s all about quality education and your children will reap the benefits.

There’s also a strong focus on sustainability and the environment these days. I recently toured once such centre called Greenwood Early Education in Concord, Sydney and it was like a holistic retreat meets childcare centre. I wanted to lie down in the middle of the rainbow road under the open-plan play area forever. Seriously, they have a rainbow road.

4. They will teach you things.

Listening to my children chatter away as toddlers, it was clear exactly how much they had learned at childcare and the wonderful bonus was that they could teach me a thing or two. For example, they weren’t allowed to paint without a painting apron. “But it’s washable paint darling,” I explained. “No Mum,” my daughter said calmly. “It doesn’t matter. I should still have a painting apron on at all times while painting”.

Suddenly all the little things that used to be battles like cleaning up their own messes, staying clean in the first place, carrying their cup and plate to the kitchen sink after meals, became so easy because that’s what they do at childcare. That’s what all the kids do.

Childcare these days also focuses on your child’s individual talents. It was my son’s preschool teacher who first noticed his artistic skills. I didn’t have another three-year-old to compare him to at the time but she showed me exactly how advanced he was.

5. Your entire family will benefit.

These days it usually takes both parents working to keep up with the cost of family life. It’s also so wonderful that both parents can continue their careers, thanks to childcare.

I took a step back from my career when I became a mother but I never completely stopped and the only reason I was able to do that was because my son was in childcare. Then as my children got older, I was able to pick up my career right back where it left off.

When all members of your family are happy and fulfilled, it makes for a much happier one.

Any other advice to add?

See how much fun these kids are having…

Greenwood provides a nurturing environment where children are given the skills they need to enter school with confidence.

What makes Greenwood unique?

• Proven Pre-Kinder Curriculum
• Run by experienced Educators
• Sports Education and Yoga Programs
• Meals prepared by a qualified chef
• Open 7am-6pm, Monday-Friday

Enrolments are currently open, with new locations opening throughout Sydney and the Blue Mountains in 2015.

Places are limited. Register your interest at: www.greenwood.com.au
or call: 1300 9 GREEN