Buzzie - I started Maria in childcare at 5 months and though she had a bit of a rough transition (very clingy nature) she settled in well. It also meant that they probably got to see most of her firsts, but they had a policy of not telling the parent, but waiting to hear from the mum or dad that "little Billy" had stated crawling/walking/eating on own etc. For Sofia I started at about 10 months, she has settled fairly well, probably taken about a month. She settles well in the mornings, I get there give her a big breastfeed and then leave, get there in the afternoon and feed her straight away and then go home (an hour to travel). With both girls I expressed until they were 12 months old, Maria I think it was closer to 15 months. Go on your gut instinct with the Childcare you choose and also ask what the staff turnove is like, with Maria I used to get frustrated that she would just get attached to a carer and then they would leave.