When to transition from a nanny to daycare?

Cat703

Background: We were going to place our twin girls in daycare at 3 months however there wasn?t any openings at the daycare we wanted that fit all our needed, so we went with a nanny.  We felt her care was good but not great yet still felt it work out well until we could get into the daycare. We had already been on the waiting a year and was told that they would likely get a spot in March of 2012 (typical for Notheren VA) when the girls would be about 16 month old. Long story short we now have 2 part-time nannies that are incredible with the girls. And of course we get a call from the daycare with possible opening this August when they are 10 months.

Here?s the dilemma: Most of the advice I've been getting is to keep the nannies until they turn at least 2 yrs because when they are sick the nannies will still care for them unlike daycare and also they will get more one-on-one time.  But would they missing out on interacting with other kids and a ?structured learning? environment (as minimal as it is at this age)?

Giving up the spot puts us back on the waiting list until who knows when; and I love the nannies we have now but who knows what issues can come up months down the road.

So when is the best time to send LOs to daycare?

shoeboxx

We started LO at 15 months and while it broke my  heart, he has so much fun.  Your girls have each other, but they could probably benefit from playing with other children.  Personally, I would go with the dc at 10 months. 

We started LO at 15 months and it was the hardest transition, I always suggest starting before then. 

TheNewMrsCfont

I would wait until march to send them to DC if the nannies are working out.  This will get you through the winter.  Plus your twins will be a bit older by then, probably walking and can do more themselves (which will make your life easier when trying to get out the door).

My DS just started at DC about 2.5 months ago when he was 18months old.  Developmentally, he was more than ready.  It has made such a positive impact on him in just the 2+ months he has been there.  I honestly can't imagine keeping him home with me every day now.  He really is thriving on the activities and constant stimulation.  For baby #2 I would love to have a nanny-type situation until they are around 15-18months, then transition to DC,

I have no experience in comparing DC with a nanny.

redfish08

You'll get lots of differing opinions on the daycare versus nanny question, and when to be concerned about socialization.  I think that at the end of the day, there are pros and cons to both, and there's not a perfect time to transition either way.  

My DS1 is 3yo and has been with two part-time nannies since he was 10 weeks old.  We were in a similar situation to yours, and when our spot opened at daycare, we elected to let it go, and stay with the nannies.  He loves them, they love him, and I'm very, very happy with the care he receives each day.  He gets plenty of social interaction (every day he is around other children through playdays, birthday parties, library and park visits, etc), and he's thrived in this situation.  For us, it was not worth it to "rock the boat" so to speak.  

However, beginning in August, he will be attending a 2-day a week, half-day preschool.  I felt like this was the right time to introduce him to a more structured, school setting.  But, he'll be with the nannies the rest of the time.

Good luck with your decision.  It's certainly not an easy one! 

D&HMom

I would say stick with your nannies. You save yourself a lot of stress in the morning not having to get both babies dressed and out the door.  They have each other and are learning new things everyday just by living. A child development specialist I worked with told me not to worry about curriculum until they are 3.  Even then I plan to keep my nanny and put D&H into a cooperative nursery school a couple of days a week.  Plus it is really nice not to have to rush out the door everytime a baby has the sniffles.

vmm0016

I would wait until next year to put them in daycare.

erinruns

We transitioned from nanny to daycare at 21 months.  It was the perfect time to do it in my opinion.  They were just at the age when they were ready for more - more art projects, more socialization, more learning.  I loved our nanny, but she wasn't capable of providing that for them.  

Feb3

We switched to daycare when DD was 1 year, but I started to feel she was ready for the switch around 9-10 months.  I wouldn't have wanted her at home all day at 2 years old.  We felt a nanny was best for infant care, but as she got older there were more benefits to group care.  It was a pretty easy transition.  I think waiting longer would have made the transition more difficult.  There are obviously different factors involved for every family, but that's what worked for us.   We'll do the same with #2.

mysticporter

Is it possible for the nannies to start taking the children to more activities?  DH is a SAHD, and the girls have activities every day with other children (some structured, some less so, a few for older DD that are her without him).  If your only concern is socialization, there's plenty of ways to get that without using daycare, if otherwise your current nanny situation is working well for your family.