Going back to work....How to transition baby into Daycare

[Wnt2beAMom]

I would like any advice on how to transition my son into daycare. He is almost 10months but won't be going until 1 year old.
Thank you

 

[MindUtopia]

I would speak to them about what they usually recommend, but certainly here, most places will expect you to do a settling in period. I know some people might only do it over a few days, but we did it over about a month. It was just about getting her used to being there and getting them to know her needs. The first couple times, we just went for about an hour and played together with some of the other babies and the teacher and I had a chat. After a few times of that, I left her to play with them for 20 minutes and just went outside and sat in the car. Then I did the same for an hour and a half. Then I think maybe she stayed for 2 hours, over a lunch time, so she could try a mealtime there. And then eventually she stayed for the full morning (we just did 2-3 mornings a week for the first 2-3 months) and then to full days. That extended period of short stays helped her to get comfortable there and for them to figure out how to comfort her and what worked and what didn't, rather than just plopping her in for the full day to start. I also started before I actually went back to work. I think she was probably there for 2 mornings a week for about 2 months when I wasn't really working (I work from home, so I was probably doing something, but it wasn't full-time and it meant I still could have run out to get her if anything went wrong). That made it much easier later when I did go back longer hours and more days because by then I knew she was settled there and I wasn't worrying about if she was okay. I'm sure your daycare has a process they like to follow too, so I'd just ask what they recommend. I think slow and gradual is good if you have these few months to prepare still.

 

[Rainstorm]

My ds was 21 months when he started going. First and second day he went for an hour and I waited outside in case he started crying and they couldn't settle him. On the third to fifth day he stayed for an hour and I went home. Then we started adding half an hour every other day.

 

[Ashley1021]

I'm a daycare teacher for kiddos ages 12-17 months. It is so much easier if you start a couple months ahead of time transitioning. Like the other ladies said. Start by visiting with your child, then leaving them alone gradually increasing time spent there. It's still difficult for a while but makes it so much easier!

 

[Wnt2beAMom]

Thanks everyone!

 

[londonangel]

Here we have a settling in period although how many settling sessions depends on the setting. DD1 went at 11 months and only had two settles. She went full time but for the first week I stayed off work and collected her after lunch as felt putting her in nursery for 50 hours when she had only had two short settles was too much. She cried the first couple of weeks when dropped off and collected but loved it in the end.

My second daughter starts in February. Heartstring tugging will commence shortly!

Good luck and don't worry, it takes time to settle but they will be fine. Settle them in gently if you can.

 

[londonangel]

By the way, looks like your son and my daughter are 'birthday twins!'

 

[Wnt2beAMom]

Awe cool! Thanks