Depends on the child - a child could settle straight away or it could take months. I do FDC and see different reactions all the time. I have a 2-1/2 yo at the moment, been here since Feb, one day a week (his brother and sister had been coming here for the last few years, so he was always in and out with them). Will cry most weeks when mum leaves, but settles within minutes. This boy is also very shy.

I have had others that may take only a couple of weeks. You could be right that you may have to re-settle DD every term if DH takes her out. He may be better sending her for a couple of hours each day, so she is still in the routine of going to day care which will make it easier on all of you when he goes back to work.