Daycare Transition

fireflygirl12

I've been working from home since DS was born, but I just got a different job that will require DS to go to daycare in a few weeks. I've read a few things that suggest taking him for like an hour and staying there with him for a few days before starting full-time. Does this seem necessary, or should I just drop him off the first day and come back after work? I take him to the childcare at our gym and he usually ends up crying within 30 minutes, so he definitely has some attachment issues. Any other first-time daycare advice?

ellebee2

I went back to work a few weeks before DD turned one. During my  year off, she was rarely without me so I definitely did a gradual transition. 

It went kind of like this:

Day 1: spent an hour with me at daycare

Day 2: dropped off for an hour (no meals or naps in that time)

Day 3: dropped off for a couple hours, had a meal no naps

Day 4: dropped off for a couple hours, had a meal and a nap

2nd Week: half day at daycare

3rd Week onward: full days

It seemed to help. Still took her a bit to adjust but I think it made it easier (and made it easier for me too). 

MRoxy0628

When I went back to work my daughter was only a few months old, but I knew I would be more comfortable leaving her for a full day if I could test it out for a few hours.  I think it would be even more beneficial for an older child, but that's just my opinion.

phytoocean

We tested it for a few hours. It helped me feel better about the first drop off day. I knew what the women looked like and DS had the experience of me leaving and coming back again.

danabsd

Beb was 5 months+ when she started DC.  We dropped her off on day one and ran for the door.  
Clearly, we're heartless parents.

Flamingemu

danabsd said:

Beb was 5 months+ when she started DC.  We dropped her off on day one and ran for the door.  
Clearly, we're heartless parents.

I did this at 4 1/2 months. BUT, I don't know if I would do the same if she were home with me for over a year. I would at least send for half days to start. 

ktnicole

We started daycare at 4 months and also just ran. I think at this older age it is harder.

linzeek44

E started daycare a little before 13 months and had been home with me full time before then. 

We visited the classroom twice together (once we were touring, and once was our "visit" day). Then I started him with part days the week before I started work (he went 9-2ish). Gave me time to get my stuff together for work and get my sads out. Then when I started work he started full time 8:30-5:30. 

We sent in a photo collage of us and his dog for the wall at daycare and he would carry it around those first couple weeks when he felt sad (same with his lovey). I also made him a little social story with photos of him, describing the day ("Mom or dad brings me to school. We put away my lunch. I get a hug and say goodbye. I can hold my lovey if I'm sad. Mom or dad will come get me. We will go home and play with Bailey." something like that. He read it every morning at drop off and the structure of the morning routine helped.