Justine,

I stareted full time work when Maddy was 3, so a close friend offered to have her as she already had 3 kids & said it was just as easy to have another... So I dropped Maddy off there every day & she knew the family, kids etc really well, but was still sad, although she never cried, she just used to say she preferred it when it was just her & I...
She was extremely shy & wouldnt ask for a drink or go to the toilet etc as she was so shy, but after about 3 months she started using the toilet there rather than hanging on all day....
Sh must have been distressed but tried to hide it from me coz about a month after she started going there all her hair behind her ears had fallen out, I took her to DR & they said it was a common form or seperation anxiety, I felt so cruel.... I hated myself & it took alot of reassurance from my friend & family to continue working & now Maddison is very social (rarely at home)...
Honestly it has made her a whole new person with so much confidence, often to the pint of ****yness!!! But I am so glad i persevered (i know it was a family friend) but eventually they all settle in & it can be good for them...
I miss both my girls immensely as i am back at work again, but this is what we need to do to survive!!!!

Best of luck...