Starting our life in the United States posed various challenges, especially regarding the care of our child, who was not yet eligible for school. With limited information available, we felt overwhelmed as daycare in the U.S. was described as expensive and different from what we were accustomed to in Korea. Despite these concerns, we decided to share our experiences adapting to daycare in the U.S. up until now.
Age Groups in U.S. Daycare
In the U.S., daycare facilities are typically categorized based on age groups within the school district. It’s crucial to check the school district first.
- 0 ~ 23 months: Infant & Toddlers (Daycare)
- 2-3 years: Preschool (Daycare)
- 4 years: Pre-Kindergarten
- 5 years: Kindergarten
Note that some school districts may offer Pre-Kindergarten for 3-year-olds. The age criteria may vary, so confirming the assigned school district based on the intended location is essential.
Finding Daycare in the U.S.
Finding suitable daycare options in the U.S. involves exploring various terms in addition to “daycare near me.” Keywords like school, montessori, club, childcare, and others can reveal different daycare facilities. Using different search terms on platforms like Google Maps can uncover options that may not initially appear.
Consulting with Daycare Centers
Most daycare centers in the U.S. conduct ongoing admissions and encourage prospective parents to schedule tours. As these facilities may have diverse programs, reaching out through emails or phone calls to schedule a tour is recommended. Direct visits provide a better understanding of the programs and allow for more effective communication with the staff.
Daycare Fees in the U.S.
Daycare fees in the U.S. vary significantly based on location, city, and weekly attendance. The options for attendance, such as part-time, full-time, or after-school programs, also contribute to the cost. Fees are typically paid weekly over around 250 at least, and additional charges like annual registration fees may apply, ranging from $100 to $200 in California.
Daycare Preparation
While most daycare centers provide necessary items, preparing for daycare involves bringing a nap mat, specifically a cradle cover sheet for naptime. These sheets may differ from those used in Korea, so it’s advisable to purchase them locally after enrollment.
Additional Considerations
Parents should consider whether the daycare facility provides lunch or if packing a daily lunch is required. Some daycare centers offer apps for communication, enabling parents to stay updated with their child’s daily activities.
Home-based Daycare in the U.S.
Exploring home-based daycare options revealed unique advantages, such as flexible scheduling and close communication with the caregiver (often the owner). Despite initial concerns about the older house structure, our 2-year-old adapted well to the environment.
Choosing a daycare in the U.S. involves considering the compatibility of the child, teacher, and parents, much like the process in Korea. Despite the language difference, the universal desire for a child’s happy growth remains constant. We hope everyone finds the right fit for their child’s well-being.
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