Why Send Your Child to Daycare? The Benefits of Early Childhood Education (How Children Benefit)
Is attending daycare important?
Many parents wonder: Is going to daycare really important? Why do we say yes? Because the numbers speak for themselves: A large proportion of children already attend daycare. Nationwide, in 2023, about 36.4% of children under the age of three attended daycare or family daycare—and the trend has recently been on the rise. For 3- to 6-year-olds, daycare is almost a given: a good 91% of this age group are enrolled. Starting daycare early is therefore common and provides children with important learning opportunities.
Studies show that children who attend daycare are often ahead of children cared for at home when they start school. For example, the British EPPE study (Effective Provision of Preschool Education) found that attending a preschool program positively promotes children’s social and cognitive development . Daycare centers provide a rich learning environment: for example, children expand their vocabulary through songs and books, improve their concentration while playing, and learn to work independently. EPPE found that children who had attended daycare for several years showed greater proficiency in language, concentration, and social behavior than their peers without daycare experience.
At daycare, children also practice interacting with their peers: they learn to share, make friends, and resolve conflicts on their own. These social skills are extremely important for their future readiness for school and for developing self-confidence. Research also shows that skills acquired early on in preschool help offset some of the disadvantages faced by children from less privileged families. In particular, children from socially disadvantaged families benefit more than average because they receive support services at daycare that they might not otherwise have access to.
What does my child learn at daycare?
At daycare, children discover a lot through play. They practice everyday social skills (cooperating, sharing, being considerate), explore their creativity through arts and crafts or painting, and strengthen their gross motor skills by running around in the yard. Language development is part of everyday life: Through songs, stories, and multilingual teachers, , the children expand their vocabulary and develop their communication skills. The diversity of cultures and languages within the staff fosters curiosity about foreign languages.
In addition, the daycare center offers structured learning activities that tap into the children’s natural curiosity. For example, the world of numbers and letters is often explored in a playful way through projects and discussion groups. What’s important is that all of this takes place through play —this way, the children learn without any pressure to perform.
The positive effects of attending daycare are evident in various areas:
- Language: Preschool children expand their vocabulary more quickly because they constantly interact with other children and teachers and engage with activities such as songs, books, and rhymes.
- Social Skills: They learn to play in a group, resolve conflicts, and develop empathy. The ability to be considerate and take turns is practiced every day.
- School Readiness: Through regular routines and small tasks, children get used to periods of learning and concentration. Studies show that children who attend daycare later work more independently and concentrate for longer periods of time —they usually start first grade better prepared than children without daycare experience.
- Health: In the long term, daycare boosts resilience in children. They are stronger in everyday life because their immune systems are “trained” through frequent interactions with others. In the short term, children in daycare may catch colds or develop coughs a bit more often (a sign of an immune system that’s being trained), but in the long run, this protects them from illness.
But daycare isn’t just about learning—it’s also a place for fun, creativity, and experiencing nature. At a lovingly run nature-based daycare like Stadtküken, children can experience their surroundings up close—the daycare groups spend a lot of time outdoors in green spaces, discovering plants and animals, growing their own vegetables, and exploring nearby farms. These nature experiences spark a spirit of discovery and a sense of responsibility: Children develop an understanding of sustainability and environmental protection.
Is it harmful to have a toddler cared for by someone “other” than a parent?
A common concern is: “My child is still so young—could early childcare be harmful?” Research refutes such concerns when it comes to good care: A loving, high-quality daycare environment does not harm children in either the short or long term. On the contrary: While the EPPE study did find a few noticeable behavioral issues in the short term (such as more tantrums) among children who started daycare very early—before age 2—by the time they entered school, these children were were actually slightly more intellectually capable and sociable than others. Quality is the key factor: Only when caregivers are empathetic, patient, and well-trained does the child receive stability and support.
In short: High-quality daycare does not cause any child lasting harm. On the contrary, a sense of security and play in the daily educational routine strengthen self-confidence and promote emotional development. Parents and experts therefore repeatedly emphasize that it is not attending daycare in and of itself that is harmful, but only poor-quality care. Under good conditions, children benefit more because they learn social rules early on and are allowed to develop independently.
Equal Opportunity, Parents, and Daycare
Early childhood education is a vital investment for society as a whole. A good daycare center is especially important for families facing difficult circumstances. Studies and education experts emphasize that a high-quality daycare center enables participation and reduces early inequalities . A recent report by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation shows that children from socioeconomically disadvantaged families significantly improve their chances of success early in life if they receive early support.
In addition, a daycare center strengthens the entire family system: Child care for children under 3 has been shown to increase parental employment, especially among mothers. Higher income improves the family’s financial situation in the short term and can reduce child poverty. In the long term, it helps close the gender pay gap: Mothers can continue their careers, which helps prevent poverty in old age. In this way, the expansion of daycare helps relieve the burden on families and ensures that children have equal educational opportunities regardless of their background.
Conclusion: Attending daycare in early childhood pays off—for both children and society. At daycare, children learn and develop important skills (social behavior, language, independence) through play. Various studies (such as EPPE and recent German research) confirm the positive effects of high-quality care. Parents can therefore rest assured: With caring teachers and a rich play environment, daycare is a real asset.
Sources:
"City Kids" Education: Mindfulness, Nature, and Small Groups
In fact, experiences in nature provide an ideal setting for social interactions. Numerous studies show that children who regularly spend time in nature develop better social skills . As they explore together outdoors, children learn to cooperate, communicate, and resolve conflicts.
In our “Stadtküken” nature projects—such as tending the daycare garden—even the youngest children take on responsibilities and help one another. Together, the children plant, tend, and harvest, which not only strengthens their environmental awareness but also fosters teamwork and empathy.
We also make sure to keep small group sizes and an atmosphere of mindfulness. Each group is small enough that every child feels safe and close friendships can form. Our educators treat every child with respect for their uniqueness. At Stadtküken, every child is seen, accepted, and valued —and the children also feel this appreciation among themselves.
In this trusting environment, even shy children feel comfortable expressing their opinions and reaching out to others. This builds their self-confidence and, at the same time, teaches them to accept others. By practicing mindfulness in our daily interactions, we create an atmosphere in which social skills develop naturally.
Conclusion: Promoting Social Development in Daycare—Your Next Steps
At daycare, children become little social experts through play. Making friends, sharing, arguing, and making up —they learn all of this here for life. Especially at a nature-based daycare center like Stadtküken fosters this development through attentive care, shared experiences in nature, and plenty of room for empathy.
Give your child the chance to thrive in this environment:
Contact us and see for yourself how we foster social development at our daycare.