How can I transition my daughter into day care?

My daughter will be 3 in august and has never been to day care (i'm a stay at home mom!) I will start working full time in september so she will have to go to day care mon-fri. I'm going to start her this summer because I don't want to just throw her in there 5 days a week so what do you think is better to start getting her used to it. Just one day a week or 2 half days?? Just looking for other opinions! Thanks for your help!

Public Comments

1. Id go with the 2 half days.

   Its going to be tough, but after awhile she will get used to it.

   Just dont hang around too long at drop off, it will make it harder on her.

   If you can stay a little at pick up and play with her in her room it will benefit her. It will show her that its a safe environment.



2. If you can, go a few times and stay with her. Then, maybe take her for a short time by herself until she gets used to it. Just keep lengthening the time and see if that will help her get adjusted. If you can't do that, maybe try taking her other places, like church nursery or play group or something and get her at least used to being without you. good luck!


3. I ran my own day care and I always invited the moms to come spend a few days , for a few hours there..that way they got to see how it was run, meet the other kids and parents and let the child get used to being there..Your new day care shouldn't have a problem with you doing that..if they do , don't take your daughter there..


4. I think you have a great idea to start her early. I'd start her on 2 1/2 days first and gradually increase the number of days until she is going 5 1/2 days. It will become much more part of her routine if she knows that she will get up and go to 'school' every day. Then if you have more time, you can increase the time per day so when you have to do full time, it will be just a bit longer day. I would probably want to get her used to eating lunch at daycare too so it isn't a surprise when you go back to work.

   At 3, she will probably enjoy the interaction with the other kids and look at it like a day camp.



5. I would do two half days, that way she gets use to you leaving her more than just one day a week. It will be easier to transition her to 5 days a week that way.


6. I have ran a daycare for almost 20 years now. At 3, your daughter is probably little Miss Independent. I've never had a child who didn't just settle in and do fine. They love playing with other kids, so I'd try to make sure there are other kids your daughters own age at the daycare you chose.

   Out of the options you listed, I would suggest having her go two half days verses only one day a week. Yet, if you are able, she'd adjust much quicker if you would have her go 5 half days a week. Kids of this age quickly fall into a routine. I know you're probably worried about her being in daycare for the first time, but she'll probably love it!



7. I say 2 half days. I just had to start my daughter and I was SOOO nervous. But, she loves it! I took her for like an hour in the morning one day and let her see what the mornings were like, then I took her for an hour in the afternoon the next day to let her see what the afternoons were like. For the first couple of weeks we would pick her up REALLY early. We slowly started picking her up later and later - but rarely a full day. Then, it got to where she didn't want to leave and asks about "school" while we're at home (it's a daycare but she is 18 mo. so we call it "big girl school"). Your daughter will love it I am sure. She will have friends and she will be able to go outside, and do crafts - and just so many other things that you may not have been able to do with her everyday. Best of luck, I'm sure she will be fine! :)


8. I volunteer at a daycare and I see some kids start just like you're going to start your daughter in the summer. First start with two half days because your daughter may feel scared of being without you all day. Even the first half day will be rough on her and probably you too. After a few weeks, and you feel she is comfortable, switch her to a full day a week. This will allow her to know that she's going to be staying a whole day without you, but you'll still be back for her.

   = )