What do American parents do about their kids ages 1-5?

Posted by Trasigpizza@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 442 comments

I recently learned that kindergarten in America typically starts at 5 years old and maternity/paternity leave is very short and sometimes unpaid. In my country babies start kindergarten as early as 1 years old and it is required by law to give maternity/paternity leave til the child is 18 months old. What do Americans do between their maternity/paternity leave ending and the child starting kindergarten?