Started at 22 months, because of study, two days a week. Started out with half days to get him used to the kids and carers and was going to leave it at that till I realised I needed more study time. So, now it's two full days.
At the start he didn't like it, because I would leave and that was natural enough. That's why it was only for 3 hours max at a time to begin with.
For a while longer he was happy when there but hated going and would cry for about 2 mins after I left and wouldn't sleep there. Now he doesn't mind going and will rattle off the names of the kids there on the way. They interact but I don't think he plays well WITH other kids, they just happen to be there playing the same things. There's one kid that he'll 'pat', but all the kids pat this kid!
I have to say that as far as socialisation, he was getting this anyway from my local ABA group (Booby Club) and the families from my fire brigade, so I can't credit CC with that.
Also, if it weren't for uni, I wouldn't send him to CC, but that's also because he has a grandmother living around the corner who can have him two afternoons a week to let me do some things.
It's a fantastic centre that is very child-centred (I know, they should all be, but we know they're not), and benefits immeasurably from being in the university and close to up to date research on child development.
Children learn the best socialisation from adults in their environment - they observe and model us, our conventions and patterns. This is how they learn to converse, take turns in conversation, 'manners' etc. Children who are sling-worn and carried pick up on these things sooner because they're closer to the action and included in these interactions
Children learn conventions for interaction, or socialisation skills, from about 3 onwards - as in, when they hit someone, other kids will implement consequences, they start to enforce 'sharing', demonstrate true contrition when they cause upset to another in their social environment. This is what is meant by socialisation, I'm pretty sure - peer influenced behaviour when it a group situation. Playing 'with' and around other kids affects how they play and interact at a younger age, it's just not important at a younger age in a childcare setting - playgroups and other interactions where the parents are present with the kids is a lot more important, if you can afford to (time-wise, if you're not working), or can access these avenues.
If you don't have to use childcare at this young age, then don't worry about it, no matter what anyone says about the advantages. There are far more advantages to being with your child than separating yourself from her at this stage of her life, if you are in the position to