I love FDC.
Both have been in FDC for a couple of days a week since I went back to work when they were about 7 months old.

My MIL was doing FDC when DD was that age, so she went in with her which was ideal, because she was with her granny When MIL retired, I was ready to go back to work after having DS so we put the two of them in with a wonderful lady who had an extensive background in childcare. Both of them absolutely thrived there with her.

When DD was three we decided to move her into a centre - all the other kids at FDC were a fair bit younger than her and at that point we felt she was ready for a larger peer group and more kids her own age. She moved into a kindy room and never looked back.

DS is just turned two and he is still in FDC. He is a much more rambunctious, outgoing child than DD ever was and DH thinks he is nearly ready for a centre environment now - when we go to pick up DD he is all over the playground and he screams bloody murder when we leave I think though we'll keep him with his FDC mum for at least another six months because I really like the smaller and more individualised attention for babies and toddlers.

I have nothing but good things to say about FDC but it is really important that you find a carer who has similar philosophies as your own and is in it because they're passionate about kids.