Children from daycare centers (regardless of their quality) tend to have deregulated cortisol, that is, they have high levels of cortisol in the morning hrs as well as in the evening hrs. The normal pattern is to have high levels of cortisol in the morning hrs ONLY, and lower levels in the evenings. And this is a huge red flag because it has implications in several aspects of the brain, e.g., its wiring and thus in the development of the central alarm system (a circuitry that gates innate threat cues and learning, necessary for survival). As a result, development is compromised and that includes attachment. That's what neuroscience has shown. If parents or grandpas are not available from 9:00 to 5:00, then, a healthy and caring nanny should be with the child. It's the best second option to create healthy attachment with an adult not with another kid. Toddlers cry at daycare centers because they suffer as separation is not normal at those tender ages. By the way, no mammal is ready to get frequently separated from their moms (even during some hrs of the day) either. Daycare centers DISRUPT kids' secure ATTACHMENT leading to hating school and teachers as they have previously learned to develop attachment to classmates not to parents. Source: Dr Gordon Neufeld and Dr Gabor Maté (Canada); Dr Carlos González (Spain); etc; etc.
