I've been back at work since last Monday and my son has been going to a babysitter (my best friend's house- her grandmother lives there and watches him and a 1 year old). I love her, I trust her- when I pop up during lunches he is content or sleeping and it's only $400 dollars a month, so we are very happy with the arrangements. At what age should I put him in daycare? I know when he gets older I'm going to want him to be around other toddlers or children his age, and in some type of learning environment, but I'm not sure at what age that should begin.
*Might I add that I'm scared to death of putting him in daycare after seeing the video of the nine year old beating up the toddlers in DC.
Re: What's a good age to put LO in daycare?
This was discussed yesterday...
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/67680689.aspx
summary:
age 1 you begin to see benefits
age 1- 2 most ppl prefer
age 3 at the latest
I'm not familiar w/ the video you speak of but it sounds awful. There are pros/cons to every DC situation-facilities, in-homes, nannies. The key is to do your research and find someone you're comfortable with and can trust.
I would keep him in the environment he's in until he's at least 1. My MIL keeps my son who is 14 months. This summer (right after his first birthday), he started going to children's day out at the church where I work 2 days a week from 9;15-2:15. He loves it and it gives my MIL a break. He will go 3 days a week this fall. I would recommend a schedule like that until your son is older. My son will go to preschool at 3.
If you can find a good nursery school with some academic and social preparation (not just daycare/babysitting), I would go for it. It sounds like, though, you have a great thing going. Maybe just find a 2-3 day a week option and go from there.
THIS 100x. Great advice!!
My personal take is that its probably easier on YOU to leave LO will the babysitter for the first 6 months to year... but easier on LO if you get them into daycare earlier (because, as PP said, seperation anxiety can be at its height then).
DS went to in-home daycare at 10 weeks. The provider told me that LOs that start around his age and definitely before 5-6months do great. I think she mentioned this because they settle in before seperation anxiety kicks in (about 7 months I think). I don't do drop-off, and so far DH says LO always leaps out of his arms for the daycare provider or down to the floor to start playing with barely a goodbye to DH.
Ask around... ask a lot of people if there is a daycare they recommend. I chose DS's in-home provider after interviewing the provider and making several visits to observe at different times of the day. It also really helped that the provider was recommended by a co-worker who had her two children there.
Also, about that video... DS is not in the same room with the older children. So, even if the provider was looking "out the window" there isn't the same opportunity for bullying. He's in the same room as peers his age. Most daycares have age ranges for rooms and you can ask that during your interview!
This is good advice! I think I will keep him there until 1 and then start him in a nursery school a few days a week like you suggested. Thanks to everyone for the advice!
This is great advice too! Hmm, I will do my research, thank you!
I think sometime before 6 months would be easiest. DD started daycare at 3 1/2 months old. She is now 15 months old and she has thrived in her classrooms.
Our daycare is like Fort Knox. No one gets in that place, including parents whom they all know, without going through several check points. There are no older kids anywhere near my child EVER.
DD is happy, healthy and extremely social. She adores her teachers and all the other kids in her class. She is on a schedule, but is also pretty flexible with change. If anything, she sleeps better at home because of all the activities, playing, reading, learning, etc. they do. I love it! I would personally never use a nanny or an in-home provider.