Our DD has been in day care for 3 days per week since she was 8 months, and she still has a bit of a grizzle when I drop her off (she's now 14.5mths). I find that going through the same routine every morning of going in, signing her in, putting her drinks in the fridge, putting her bag in her cubby hole, putting sunscreen on and then taking her outside to play with the other kids is a good way to cope with the separation as she knows what's coming. I agree with RumpleTeaser that getting them preoccupied with an acitivity or a meal is a positive way to leave them. Once that's done I say goodbye to her, give her a kiss, tell her I'll be back in the afternoon and then leave quickly. If I don't I'll only linger and this tends to make things worse if she's grizzly.

One thing I do remember our Day Care Director telling me when we started was not to leave without saying goodbye. A quote from their parents handbook says:

"Always say goodbye - even if your child is distressed, to slip away breaks down trust. If your child is crying or clings, prolonging the goodbye will only make it harder for yourself and your child.

When it's time to leave - leave quickly - By all means stay with your child, but once you prepare to leave, say goodbye and go. Even when a child knows about "coming back", the moment of parting can still be sad."

With our DD we found that when she was first attending it was best to pass her to someone who would cuddle her after I had gone and help her calm down. She now has a very sweet attachment to one girl at the centre and so goes to her every morning which helps immensely with her feeling secure. I also felt better with this as leaving DD on the floor when she was upset, crying and reaching out for me broke my heart and I found it too hard to leave her like that. Passing her to someone reminds me that she will be well cared for and safe until I come back.

Remember, it's about you feeling confident and reassured as much as your son as he will pick up on your emotions about the situation.

OH! And the quote from the handbook isn't gospel, so please don't take it like professional medical advice - its just some general advice that I found helpful and so wanted to pass on...there are lots of difference ways of managing

Good luck! I hope he settles soon...