Clarrie, you don't mention how old your DD is, but it sounds like she's under 12 months? Jack has been in day care since 7 months and Tom since about 8 months. I used to spend a lot of time at Jack's old day care as it was right near work and I was bfing him at lunchtimes and spending all my spare time there during the day. Personally from my experience and observations, child care is a positive thing for most kids and starting before 12 months is a good thing as they transition much more easily. The only child I've witnessed who really didn't settle in well was about 18 months when she started.

Neither of my boys were clingy, so it's not the same as you, but I can tell you that they both settled in really well right from the beginning. It was definitely harder for me than them, I was a mess but they both love day care. I think the adage "it takes a village to raise a child" has a lot of truth to it, and I think that day care can help to fill in some gaps for kids - social interaction with other kids and other adults, different toys and environment, different stimulations. I know not everyone will agree with this, but I am convinced that my boys have gained a lot from child care and they are really happy there as well.

It is great that you have 2 weeks to transition yourself and Bonnie into the change. I suggest spending some time with her, but also leaving her there for periods without you in those first weeks, so that she learns that day care is not somewhere where mummy is all the time. Start with an hour or so and build up. I think too that the more time you spend there getting to know the carers will help you a lot. And the first time you leave her, go have a coffee and cake with a friend, or a facial or something so that you are distracted. It will be really hard for you - I've been through it twice so I know. But just because it is hard on us at first doesn't mean it is the wrong thing. It might be that Bonnie doesn't settle in well, but if that happens you can cross that bridge when you come to it. It is more likely that there might be a few tears at first but that she will be just fine and love having so many new things to do.

I wish you lots of good luck. Please try not to feel guilty about this. You are not doing anything wrong, you are doing what you have to. And I think it has a very good chance of working out for the best.