Everyone will have a different idea as to what their childs needs are and if they think childcare is the best way to socialise their children then they will do that, but it really isn't necessary to go to that extent. even just going to a park and playing is socialising them.
i think your DD has plenty of contact with other littlies!
i wouldnt worry about childcare for socialising for Krystal, i have arranged working around dp's hours, to avoid childcare altogether.
we also do gymbaroo, and still meet with our mums group.
trips to the park, swimming even just out to the shops seem to keep Krystal happy!!
If you jump back 30 years most children didn't have any socialising outside of cousins etc, and we all turned out ok.
My ds had weekly playgroup and a weekly kindermusik class but that was all till he was 2. He now goes to pre-kindy 1 morning a week and swimming once a week and that's all. He is a sociable little boy so he hasn't suffered from not being in more regular contact with other kids.
Playgrounds are the best place in my opinion... and they're free!
Bear in mind also that some Mums use the "excuse" of "childcare for socialisation" if they feel some "guilt" over utilising childcare.
(This is NOT a judgement at all, and I mean no offence, just my observation!)
What you are doing sounds ample socialising to me!
(My 3 do a weekly mummies group of 12 children (aged between 4 and 4 months) as well as swimming lessons, and a storytime at the library. PLUS 2 days in childcare because I work 2 days......as such they only have 1 day off a week to just chill.....and if anything they are not socialising any better than the next child: just more knackered!)
Zander has only really ever had one activity a week, it was swimming when he was 6 months old & for the last 1.5 years it's been a 1hr gymnastics class. We did mum's group for about a year but that fizzled out. He has his best friend from mum's group (and my goddaughter) that we see maybe once or twice a month outside of gym and that's pretty much it. He's never been to child care & when I work he's eithr at home with daddy or at Granma's house.
He now goes to preschool (or 3yo kinder) one day a week 9am-3pm and he interacts really well with the other kids, so I don't think he was disadvantaged for not going to child care.
Shellbell keep in mind that children of your daughter's age don't play "together" anyway. Naturally, they are more interested in adults still, particularly their primary care givers. They don't usually start playing "with" other children until they reach kindy age (and some not until they're around 5).
I think what you're doing is adequate. You're doing a great job!
Thanks for all these great replies, I'm feeling alot better now!
We do go to the park often and she loves running round with the other kids, might start her at the library story telling times (they're free too!)
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