As a leading daycare facility on Oahu, Sounds of Success Preschool and Learning Center in Aiea, HI, is an establishment that helps young children excel in learning and development. Parents often ask the staff when they should start their children in a daycare program—while the optimal enrollment age may vary from one child to the next, there are some findings that parents may find helpful when making their decision.

For starters, it’s important not to give into the pressure to enroll your child in a day care center just because other parents are doing so. In fact, placing a child in a preschool program before they’re ready can have detrimental effects, including elevated cortisol levels (a stress hormone). According to studies, this can happen in children under the age of three.

With that said, the quality of care provided as well as the length of time spent at the facility both play critical roles in how well a child will respond to daycare. Research suggests that if a child is cared for at home for at least the first nine to 18 months and subsequently receive high-quality care at a facility, the likelihood that they will experience a spike in cortisol levels decreases. This is precisely why Sounds of Success Preschool and Learning Center maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio to provide exceptional care for their youngest pupils.

While the answer is ultimately “it depends,” the highly qualified, educated staff at Sounds of Success Preschool and Learning Center offers programs for children beginning at the age of 2 ½. If you wish to enroll your student at this age, their team will provide the highest possible level of support to facilitate emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. If, however, your schedule affords you the ability to care for your children at home until they’re a bit older, there’s no harm in holding off for few more months or even a year.

When you do decide that the time is right for your child to enter daycare, be sure to seek out a facility where your child can thrive. If you’d like to learn more about what Sounds of Success Preschool and Learning Center can offer your child, call (808) 488-2211 to speak with one of their caring team members or read more about their programs online.