My two-year-old loves eating things she shouldn't. Playdough, sand from the pit, glue, crayons - if it's on the activity table, it's fair game. She's also somewhat cheeky. She has an older sibling and can definitely hold her own and stand up for herself.
Two mornings a week she, along with her older sister, attend a preschool. I know she can be a handful but, if anyone ever taped her mouth shut to teach her a lesson, I would expect there to be worse repercussions than the teacher involved having to pay a relatively small fine.
When you enroll your child at a centre, you should have the confidence that they will be properly cared for. If they misbehave, as kids are known to do, you should be assured the steps taken to manage their behaviour do not cross the boundaries and become unacceptable. All registered centres should have procedures printed out and you are well within your rights to request a copy of the centre's management plan.
There will be critics who believe children should be at home with their parents, and not have to attend a care centre - but I don't believe this is true. Children attending some sort of early learning can certainly benefit and thrive. However, as with school, it depends on the centre and on its staff.
Kindy, daycare, crèche, home-educator, preschool - at various stages I have had one or both of my children enrolled in each of these facilities over the last five years. I know the drill - ask for a recommendation, look it up online, visit at an unannounced time and make a decision. I can't overstress the importance of gut instinct - don't leave out the visit.
