My DS started at daycare when he was 15 months. The first couple of weeks my DH dropped him off, but then I had to start doing it, and I bawled like a baby the first few times, but it does get easier. DS was mostly always happy enough to be dropped off, so it was me, rather than him who had the issues, but he's a very social & relaxed kid, so I have it easy I think.

I'm a big fan of saying goodbye, telling him I'm going to work & that I'll see him in the afternoon. Even in the early days, when arguably he didn't get it, it was important to me, rather than just sneaking out. I also let the carers do their job in taking him under their wing to settle once the goodbyes had been said- they're generally very used to dealing with separation issues, and with my DS, I always been told that he settled pretty quickly after I'd left, which made me feel better.