Mothers by day, an alternative to day care or nursery school

Day mothers' are an alternative to day care, another option than the traditional education that children under 3 receive in children's schools. When, for reasons of work-family balance, parents consider leaving their children in a school while they work an alternative, it may be what is called madr

'Day mothers' are an alternative to day care, another option than the traditional education that children under 3 receive in children's schools.

When, for reasons of work-family balance, parents consider leaving their children in a school while they work an alternative, it may be what is called madre 'day mother'.Mother day or raise the child at home

The 'day mothers'

are people with degrees in pedagogy, psychology or early childhood education, además and also have to have the official title of food handler and first aid. The "day mothers" open the doors of their home for the care and attention of children between 0 and 3 years old in a family environment. The ratio is of a maximum of 3 or 4 children. They use a methodology based on the child's own rhythm applying pedagogical concepts of Pikler, Waldorf or Montessori among others. By taking care of a small number of children

allows them to focus on their needs and developments in a more individualized way

than in a nursery school where the ratio of students per child is much higher. The houses of the 'mothers of day' have to be perfectly adapted and equipped to develop this work having differentiated spaces for daytime activities such as playing or eating, another space for rest and another for cleaning, as well as those due protection measures for children in terms of plugs, doors and toys adapted to their age. At all times

the development time of each child respeta is respected in terms of food, hygiene or sleep.

Every day children who are in the care of 'day mothers' go out to the street to be in contact with the environment around them, see other children, even if it is cold, so the houses of the' day mothers' are usually close to parks or gardens to facilitate this activity.

The cost of a 'day mother' is usually the same as a private daycare center that usually ranges from 200 euros for half a day to 450 euros for a full day. At the most the minors are with the 'mother by day' an 8-hour day. 'Day mothers' are a reality and something that has been common for years in European countries such as England, France, Switzerland, Holland, Austria or Germany, while in other countries, such as Spain, they are being implemented recently. For its advocates, this alternative to traditional nursery school provides greater security,

greater emotional and cognitive support for the child that develops in a more homelike and less crowded environment and in a natural way without having to be conditioned by the rhythm of a school in which the ratio of students is sometimes an impediment to the individualized attention of children.