Parents who use day care, what age did your child start going to day care?

Mine started daycare at 8 weeks. She's almost 3 and still goes to the same one. So for us, she never really had to adjust b/c she went there 5 days a week from the get-go. We live in a very small town and there is only one licensed daycare (that's not in someone's home). She has gone through phases where she doesn't want me to leave in the mornings and cries. She still gets anxious when I leave. The daycare ladies and kids are really a second family to her. There are 4 kids who have all been there since they were newborns and they've grown up together. Most of the providers have been there the whole time too. It will be hard for your little one at first, but she will adjust. The ladies are always good at taking them and getting them distracted when it's time for mom to leave. She'll have fun there and interact with other kids. Good luck.

I had to go back to work right after my son was born, because my income is the only income I have for my son and myself. (Although I was on maternity leave until he was 6 weeks old.) When I first went back to work, I was lucky enough to have friends and family watch him. Then I found a daycare near my office who took children part time, so I enrolled him there when he was about 6 months old for 3 days a week. He ended up liking it so much and I got to know the people there pretty well, so I eventually enrolled him there full time. He's two now and still goes to the same center. He's obviously not in the same class, because when he started he was in the infant/baby room - now he's in the toddler room. He absolutely loves it there, his teacher is just awesome with him and the other kids and he's learned so much there! I feel so lucky to have found such a great place for him since I can't be the one staying home during the day with him. It took him about two weeks to fully adjust to everything. It took *me* about a month, LOL! Good luck to you! I hope you've found a daycare that is wonderful, just like ours! :)

In Canada we are given one year of maternity leave. I put Maddie in day care at the end of our year together. She loved it immediately. I loved the place as well. The staff was great, they talked to the parents, gave lots of tips and advice, and I could tell they loved kids. They had a chef on staff who made breakfast, lunch and two snacks, as well as birthday cakes for the kids. I think it has been a great experience for her. She is now 8, very happy and well adjusted. She plays well with others and has a wide variety of others. Not long ago I asked her if she would rather have me at home and not have out of school care, she told me no, that she really enjoyed her time with the other kids.

I have a 5 and 2 year old and a 4 month old. They all started at 6 weeks of age and went to the same daycare until 6 weeks ago (church daycare/ church was set on fire). The change has been an adjustment but more-so for me than for them it seems.

My son will be 2 on Saturday. He's been in daycare since he was 4 months old. He has been in a home daycare from 4 months until now. He is starting at a daycare center on Monday. When he first started going there, there were absolutely no issues, probably because he was so young. I am anticipating some tough good-bye next week, but Im sure he'll adjust very well.

1st child - family members started watching him at 3 months, then he went to a home day care provider at around 1 yr. At around 1 1/2 yr old my mom was able to watch him again, than at around 2 yrs he went to a different home day care provider 2nd child - went to a home day care provider at 3 months, for 1 month (the same day care provider that my 1st child went to from 2 yrs - 5yrs), than I became a home day care provider Both of my children adjusted easily. I have babysat kids as young as 3 months up to as old as 9 yrs.

i think the two answers you already got, or any answer where the person put the baby in daycare while they were an infant is going to greatly differ from your situation. I personally think its much easier (for the child) to go to daycare when they are younger. I have a 1 year old who will need to go to daycare probably in the next few months and am dreading the change. because, probably like your daughter (?) My son is very attached to me and has only been around me and is very anti social and afraid of strangers. I don't know how he'll react with having the one person he's been around since birth suddenly gone and while he is thrown in a room with a bunch of strangers. At least your daughter has hit that 1.5 month age. I think the transition should be fine for her. She'll be very excited to play with friend/new toys and the fact that she only has to go for 2 days right now will be great to ease her into it! I suggest you act very excited that shes going so she knows it is a fun place (as it is!!) Excited to see some more of your answers, as ill probably be asking this question myself in a few months.

I'm pregnant with my first right now. She will be going to daycare twice a week when she is about 12 weeks old. I, too, have not choice as I have to work. Luckily, my sister-in-law (a SAHM) will be watching my daughter, with her own son, twice a week and my mother and mother-in-law will switch off watching her the other day each week. So I will only be using the day care for two of the five days. My SIL mentioned that she may want to do three days instead of two but she will need to work up to that. Totally understandable. If she decides to do three days then I will still have my daughter in day care for the two days; I will just not have the mothers watch her. My reasoning for this is long and personal, with specifics for each mother, but I feel it's best.

mine started at 2-3 months old