At what age did your little one start day care?

[Mother Goose]

My DD was born in the Feb and started at Child Care the second week of the July for 3 days a week. She had a week at child care with me still at home to help her settle in - we did shorter days and I was available if she was unsettled and needed Mummy (or if Mummy needed her! ).
A friend of mine is going back to work in June and had her name down at a child care centre since he was 2 weeks old (he was born Nov '07). She received a phone call in Jan stating that if she wanted to secure the days for when she needed them, she needed to start paying for the days now (as in Jan) but couldn't use them!!! She had a week to decide what she wanted to do. She ended up agreeing to their terms as she absolutely needed the spot. SO, don't feel bad about grabbing the spot whilst you can - child care places can be very very hard to secure. If you want to pay for the days but not send your child, then that is ok. But if you want to send them for that one day and help them ease into it - that is fine as well. Good luck with your decision, it isn't easy!

MG

[Chocaholic]

My son went into daycare when he was 8 weeks old. He thrived. Absolutely loved it. I think I had more trouble than he did. He misses it now as we moved towns and I am a SAHM as I am pregnant with my second bundle.

You just need to make sure you are totally comfortable with the people looking after your children and if you can, pop in unannouced every now and then just to make sure that things are OK. I did this and the centre had no problems with it. They actually encouraged it.

Good luck.

[M D]

Thank you for all your supportive comments. I know she will be fine, it' just me that I have to worry about. I am comfortable with the Day Care Centre and I figure that they have some formal qualifications that I do not have so they must be able to offer something to my little one that I can't.

This is one of the up sides.

I have to focus on the positives!!

Thanks again

[Ellibam]

makon was about 4 months old and he went 2 days a week,arquene starts on wednesday (nine months and 1 day)
just be aware that you only get 28 days away plus 2 weeks holidays an then you dont get your ccb and you dont want to use them up just cos you dont want bubs to go(its better to have them for when you or they are sick)

MG what your friend was told i dont think is legal!! she may want to check it

[Mother Goose]

makon was about 4 months old and he went 2 days a week,arquene starts on wednesday (nine months and 1 day)
just be aware that you only get 28 days away plus 2 weeks holidays an then you dont get your ccb and you dont want to use them up just cos you dont want bubs to go(its better to have them for when you or they are sick)

MG what your friend was told i dont think is legal!! she may want to check it

Sick days with a medical certificate are on top of the CCB allowance - I checked that out last year as DD was sick a bit and I wanted us to go on holidays!
I also told my friend that it was illegal but she is so desperate for a place which are almost impossible to get in her area that she discussed it with her partner and they agreed to take it. I think they also have their names down somewhere else so they can swap centres... but in the meantime, they need that place.

KTS - it is harder on the Mums. I still have "bad" days and my DD loves the place - she cracks it if she can't go! I cried when she moved up a room too - how pathetic am I? I also randomly drop in, drop in on my way through the town if I'm passing through, pick her up early etc. I've also formed friendships with several of the workers. It also helps me to know that DD is loved by all of the carers - they all want to take her home with them (bet they'd change their mind when she wants to have a 2hr play session at 1am though!). Good luck...

MG

[MantaRay]

I agree that some days are harder than others. But really the thought of leaving him in day care was worse than the reality. I remember Jack's first week I was expecting to be crying buckets, but then I went to leave each time and he was so busy playing he barely noticed me leaving.

Some kids settle in better than others, and I have been lucky that my boys suit day care. You won't know how your DD will go until you try - she too might really enjoy the extra activities and kids to play with and be fine.

[krysalyss]

Our DS started daycare 1 day a week at about 5 months. Looking back I think it was a great time to start and he really enjoys his time there. I think if you have found a daycare/carers that you really trust then don't worry about being 4 months. It is more important to find the right carer I think.