As a society, we often underestimate the value of early childhood education and the essential role early childhood educators play in shaping our future. Many times I have heard, “What do children really learn in Daycare?”
I would argue that the time from birth to age five is one of the most critical periods in a person’s life. During these early years, a child’s brain and body grow more rapidly than at any other point. In fact, more than one million new neural connections form every second in a child’s brain—a pace that is never repeated again in their lifetime (UNICEF, 2023).
These early experiences shape the very architecture of the developing brain. They lay the foundation for future learning, emotional well-being, behavior, and physical health.
So what exactly are young children learning in daycare? And how is the work of early childhood educators different from that of elementary school teachers?
Here’s the reality: Public education in the U.S. doesn’t formally begin until kindergarten, around age five. But by then, the most critical phase of brain development is already behind us.
Why do we continue to overlook the first five years—when children are the most curious, absorbent, and developmentally malleable?
What Children Really Learn in Daycare
In early childhood programs, children are not just being “watched” or “babysat.” They are learning everything that matters most. In daycare, children learn to:
- Share and take turns
- Solve problems and express needs
- Identify feelings and regulate emotions
- Build friendships and navigate social dynamics
- Gain independence and confidence
- Explore early math, literacy, and science through play
- Strengthen gross and fine motor skills
- Develop cultural awareness and communication
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, high-quality early care and education programs are strongly linked to improved cognitive skills, social-emotional development, and long-term academic success (ACF, 2024).
The learning is embedded in routines, play, conversations, guided exploration, and positive relationships with caregivers. It might not always look like “school,” but make no mistake: this is education at its most foundational level.
Why the Early Years Matter So Much for Cognitive Development
From birth to age five, a child’s brain is like a sponge—building connections faster than at any other time in life. By age three, a child’s brain has already developed up to 80% of its adult size (Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University). By age five, it’s over 90%.
That means the vast majority of brain architecture—everything from memory and attention to reasoning and language—is being built before your child ever steps foot in a kindergarten classroom.
During this time, children are:
- Forming executive function skills like focus, working memory, and self-control
- Learning to process and organize information
- Building a foundation for language and literacy
- Developing problem-solving and critical thinking
- Absorbing emotional cues and beginning to regulate emotions
These skills don’t come from worksheets or drills—they come from rich, meaningful interactions with adults and peers, guided play, storytelling, hands-on exploration, and responsive caregiving.
The quality of those early interactions has lifelong implications. Positive early learning experiences help children succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Conversely, gaps in early cognitive development can widen over time if not addressed early.
What this means for parents is powerful:
What your children really learn in Daycare is not “just playing”—they’re literally building the brain they will use for the rest of their lives.
Babysitters vs. Daycare Educators: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common misconceptions about daycare is that it’s just babysitting. While both babysitters and early childhood educators care for children, the roles are fundamentally different in purpose, training, and impact.
Babysitters typically provide short-term or occasional care, often in the child’s home. Their main focus is to keep the child safe, fed, and entertained until a parent returns. While many babysitters are nurturing and responsible, they generally do not follow a structured curriculum or receive formal training in child development.
Daycare educators, on the other hand, are trained professionals who work in licensed early learning environments. They are responsible not only for safety and care but also for fostering children’s growth across all domains: cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Their days are guided by intentional lesson plans, developmental milestones, and responsive caregiving practices that support brain development during these crucial years.
Unlike babysitters, early educators often hold credentials, certifications, or degrees in early childhood education. They use observation and assessment to plan meaningful activities, support emerging skills, and partner with families to ensure continuity between home and school.
Where babysitters offer supervision, early educators offer a roadmap for growth.
Why Don’t We Fund the First Five Years Like Public School?
Despite the overwhelming research on its importance, early childhood education remains vastly underfunded and undervalued:
- Families pay 52% of early education costs themselves, while public funding only covers 46%—and just 2% comes from private or philanthropic sources (New America, 2022).
- On average, working families with young children spend 24% of their income on childcare (First Five Years Fund, 2024).
- Many early childhood educators are underpaid and struggle with job insecurity, despite the high demands and expertise required for the job (CSCCE, 2024).
This lack of investment doesn’t just affect individual families—it impacts the economy, school readiness, and public health.
The research is clear: Every $1 invested in high-quality early childhood education returns up to $7 in benefits, including increased graduation rates, better long-term health outcomes, and reduced need for remedial education or social services (Heckman, 2011).
The Bottom Line
So the next time you wonder what your child is learning in daycare—know this:
They are learning everything that matters most.
And the people guiding them are doing some of the most important work in all of education.
It’s time we stop skipping over the first five years.
It’s time we honor and invest in early childhood education for what it truly is: the foundation of our future.
What Can You Do?
- Start conversations about the importance of early learning.
- Thank your child’s educators for the intentional work they do every day.
- Advocate for funding, fair pay, and accessible early childhood programs in your community.
Because when we invest in the early years, we invest in everything that comes after.
References
UNICEF. (2023). Early Childhood Development
Administration for Children & Families. (2024). Benefits of High-Quality Early Care and Education
Center on the Developing Child. (n.d.). Brain Architecture
University of Massachusetts Global. (2023). ECE vs. Elementary Education
New America. (2022). Transforming the Financing of Early Care and Education
First Five Years Fund. (2024). Child Care and the Economy
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE). (2024). Early Educator Pay & Economic Insecurity
Heckman, J. J. (2011). The Economics of Human Potential
Resources
Take a look at the communication log under the resources, Parent-Teacher Tools
Featured Image
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-in-orange-shirt-playing-on-the-floor-8422207/
