Since both part-time and full-time programs can benefit young children, the key is figuring out which choice is best for your family and toddler. Some areas to consider when making this decision are:

There are many reasons that you might choose to send your toddler to daycare or nursery school beyond whether or not you need to work outside of the home. Early education programs appeal to families for many reasons, such as the enrichment opportunities for their children and the social and community opportunities that joining a school offers them. Part-time can be ideal to support some dynamics, while full-time can be ideal for others. Reflecting on your needs and interests can be a helpful first filter when deciding between the two paths.

Part-time and full-time coverage can vary widely by provider, and some even have what they consider early care or aftercare for those needing coverage that matches longer work days.

Some programs run five days a week, some three days, and some two days. Some programs provide a full day, and some two or three hours a day. Sometimes, those two or three days meet consecutively, and sometimes, they are broken up throughout the week.

Finding out these specifics will help you find a match for your needs and your child’s. For example, a five-day schedule may mean fewer transitions than a two or three-day one. Some children show more separation anxiety after a weekend or several days at home. But, a five-day program may be more time away than you or your child is ready for. Other children do best with partial-day programs because they nap better at home.

Socialization and the acquisition of pre-academic skills are some of the top reasons parents enroll their toddlers in early care and education programs. It can be helpful to know that under the age of three, most toddlers engage in parallel play rather than the kind of interactive or collaborative play you may imagine. If your child is oriented more towards interactions with adults than peers, they may be ready for an early education program that is developmentally appropriate for their current stage!

Remember, learning and development begin at birth—not arbitrarily at preschool or kindergarten. In toddlerhood, parallel play and onlooker play still allow for meaningful learning in a group environment because children have the opportunity to learn about social interactions by observing them.
The adults in the room will ideally act as nurturing and trusted facilitators of social, emotional, and cognitive development who assure that there are opportunities for the kinds of hands-on play and experimentation, the building blocks for pre-academic learning.

Toddlers can experience separation anxiety, or anxiety around separating from primary caregivers, regardless of childcare enrollment. Separation anxiety can even happen in dynamics when they stay home and you need to go to the store! Separation anxiety is something that ebbs and flows throughout early childhood. It is especially likely to rear its head during toddlerhood. While you may be concerned that your child is not ready to separate from you, most children will adapt once they are acclimated to their new routines and have developed relationships with reliable and trusted caregivers at daycare or school. Part-time or full-time programs may make a difference in these situations.

Ultimately, whether you choose part-time or full-time is more of a personal decision to best fit your family's needs. In either path, you can remain your toddler’s primary source of connection and learning while cultivating a second environment where they can practice a wide range of skills. At the toddler level, some of these skills include physical and emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, an understanding of routines, and the ability to adhere to expectations within a group.