Boomba

In our case I had to put Cam in to childcare for 2 days a week from when he was about 10.5months - and it was really hard to leave him there at first. But in time I saw how much fun he had (especially from when I'd go to pick him up....he wouldn't want to leave). When I went on maternity leave for Josh I considered taking him out - but once again thought he was having so much fun with his little friends (plus I knew he'd have to go back to when I returned to work a year later - so didn't want to have to start all over again with the separation - it was challenging enough after the 4 weeks off that he had). Then this year I was going to change so that he (and Josh) only went 1 of the 3 days I work (my mum to look after them the other days) - but the week before it was to change I realised how much he'd miss his little friends - the morning we got there Cam went over to comfort one of his little friends and my heart just melted. Even when we get in the car to go to 'school' - he always says...' "we going to see 'insert names x 2 or 3". He does get a little upset at drop off sometimes still though (only started mid last year and its only half the time)- and usually has to be cuddled - but they've all said he settles by the time I'm at the front door) - yet on the flip side - at pick up I still struggle to get him to stop playing and come home (I've even had to bribe him with a little treat for when he gets home )

And its for these reasons that makes me realise I've done the right thing for his needs (in our case) by having him continue childcare while I wasn't working and not changing the days down to 1.

We too didn't have a mothers group - we did for the first year - but was hard after that as most went back to work and there was not a day that everyone could do - so it fizzled out. So childcare gives him/them (still waiting for a position for Josh in the nursery) the social and educational needs I can't provide (plus the care I also need of course).

Can you start with just 1 or 2 days and see how it goes? And then build to 4 or 5 later in the year (so that it might make it that little bit easier to transition to school next year).

As for carers - hopefully you'll find somewhere that just feels right. Thats how I felt (and still feel) about ours - the carers are nice - always happy to cuddle Cam when I have to leave (I try to stay as long as possible until he is happily playing or that his friends have arrived) and we've never had any issues with them. Most of them are parents themselves too which helped me too.

I do know of 1 up your way (its in Waterford) which my best friend works at - and I have met some of their staff (including the director) a couple of years ago and found they are nice and seemed experienced (the ones I've met have children)...I can PM you if you'd like the details.

If you do decide to continue in finding a childcare/kindy for Moo I hope you can find something that suits you all and then in time you'll get to see how much fun and the new friendships he forms whilst there - like what I see and its that which will make it seem all the more worthwhile. And if it doesn't all work out...nothing is stopping you from taking him out...but at least you know then if he (and you) were ready.

Once again