I am comfortable with having my kids in childcare part time (about twenty hours) a week. It’s nice for them to play with other kids and separate from me.
But, at least in the childcare that we could afford, the kids didn’t receive quality attention from their caretakers. The nannies that I’ve observed in the playground don’t ever get off the park bench. I would be quite comfortable leaving the kids with Steve or my mom full time, but I can’t imagine that a non-family member would really listen to Jonah’s long stories or read Ian his favorite stories.
I’m all for more funding for childcare for those who have no other options, but it is not a perfect solution.
How much childcare do you use? How happy are you with your childcare? How much childcare do you feel comfortable with?