When the time comes to send your child to daycare, you have a lot of decisions to make. But one of the first decisions you will need to make is whether to send your child to a larger daycare or a smaller one. Many parents choose smaller daycares, but this is not necessarily the best choice for everyone. To ensure you make an informed choice, take a look at these pros and cons of sending your little one to a smaller daycare facility.

Pro: There tends to be a more personalized interaction.

At a smaller daycare, there tends to only be a few employees. You can get to know each of them, and your interactions may be more personalized since the employees only have a few parents to get to know, too. You probably won't get a call in the middle of the day from someone you have never met. When you need to give specific instructions for your child's care, you'll probably be talking directly to the care provider, rather than to a secretary or assistant.

Con: There may not be as much variety in activities.

Larger daycares tend to have larger facilities and more funding, so they're able to provide your child with a greater variety of activities. There's more likely to be a playground, various art programs, and other more specific forms of entertainment. A smaller daycare may have fewer options overall, so your child may not be exposed to quite as much.

Pro: Your child will be exposed to the germs of fewer children.

It's no secret that kids are great at spreading germs! They not only get colds and the flu themselves, but they bring it home. The fewer kids they are going to daycare with, the lower their risk of being exposed to various germs. You may find that you and your kids all get sick less often when you choose a smaller daycare.

Con: Contracts and rules may not be as formal.

Smaller daycares tend to be less formal. With fewer clients, they simply do not need to create and enforce as many rules and guidelines. While this more relaxed approach can sometimes be nice, some parents prefer more distinct guidelines and rules, which you tend to get at a larger daycare.

Consider the pros and cons above as you decide whether to send your child to a smaller daycare. If you like a more relaxed approach and don't mind your child having fewer specialized activities, this can be a good choice.