I've worked in long day care for 12 years and I am blessed to have worked in a community based centre which has treated staff exceptionally well and provided us with the tools to provide fantastic care for our children.
I've been back at work nearly a year in January and to be honest when my return date arrived I cried myself to sleep!!! how could I be seperated from my princess when I delight in her every waking moment and her achievements. Paige was 8mths old when I had to return due to financial reasons.
She loved it from day one, I was the one with the seperation problems and the mother guilt.
She adores her carers to the point that if we run in to them in town after hours she leaves me with arms outstretched and gives them hugs she normally reserves for her mummy and daddy in the mornings.
She suprises me reguarly with things that she has learnt in care and my hubby and I look at each other in amazement and say "oh, they must have done it at daycare!!"
They are really careful not to giveaway milestones though and will hint that "Paige is so nearly walking" rather than telling you "oh, she took a few steps today"
It does get easier and it will help you when you see your child enjoying their time in care and making friends and bonds with their carers.
Paige has developed amazing relationships with her young friends and will hug and kiss them on arrival in the morning(and frequently through out the day apparently)
best of luck with it I'm sure everything will be fine but like everything in life their will be times when it is hard and that mummy guilt is a killer.
Allie xxxx