daycare moms...

Please help ease my anxieties! My DD is almost 2 and has never been in daycare (only with a family member up to this point). Unfortunately, our arrangements will soon be changing and I have to look into starting her in daycare. I'm a nervous wreck because I've never left her in daycare before and I guess the fear of the unknown is worrying me sick! For those who have kids in daycare, can you please share your experiences? Are your kids happy there? What is a day like in daycare...is it like "school" with organized activities for them? Has anyone started their child in daycare at the age of 2? I'm curious to hear how they adapted at that age. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!! And if anyone has any recommendations for places in Suffolk County, I'd love to hear that too!! Thanks so much.

daycare moms...

My DS has been in daycare since the 8 weeks. He loves going and at 18 months now he runs into his classroom in the morning.

My daycare has become and extended family. The day is structured. They have set meal and nap time and playgound time and then they do activities in between. I actually have family watch him 2 days a week and am goign to put him in daycare full time because I think he is learnign more there than at home with family.

daycare moms...

DS has been in daycare since he was 3 months old so I can't offer a perspective of starting at 2. But I will say that he LOVES it. He looks forward to going and seeing his friends. The social interaction is great, especially since his cousins are all much older than him and this way he gets to spend time with children his own age. Their day is very structured and I think sticking to a schedule helps the kids because they know what to expect.

It will be an adjustment in the beginning but she will be fine and she will love it. It will be harder on you than on her. GL!

daycare moms...

My boys have been in daycare since 11 weeks.

Their days are structured - even DS 2 at 15 mos. They start the day wtih breakfast around 8, at 9am they do circle time, snack at 930, outside time or buggy ride around 10, arts and crafts after, lunch at 11:30, naptime from 12ish-3ish (varies depending on age) and in the afternoon they have more snack, outdoor play and free play.

Re: daycare moms...

DD started daycare at 6 months and it was honestly one fo the best things we feel we have done for her. She absolutely loves going to school. She has made friends and is such a social butterfly because of it. she'll be two on Sunday and can sing the ABCs, count to 10, knows colors and shapes...they learn SO much in school.

DDs daycare is owned by someone on the local board of ed, so she really focuses on getting them ready for Kindegarten. They have a set schedule for meals, snacks, and naps. Everyday there's time outside, an art project, reading time, dance time, etc. It's structured, which is good for DD because she took after me and needs that lol.

At two, I'm sure it will be a bit of a transition for your DD. But once she adjusts she will really enjoy it.

daycare moms...

DS was in daycare since he was 11 weeks old. He's 3 now. He's never once cried or complained about going. He talks alot about his "friends" there and the 1 girl he's obsessed in love with already. We have no other young kids in our family (I'm only PG with #2 now) and our friends with young kids live out of state so this is where DS gets to play with kids his age. I'm hoping he'll be able to grow up with them too assuming they all live in the area of the daycare.

They have structured activities -- arts and crafts, circle time, etc -- but they also do a lot of free play (as they should) - letting the kids play outside, water play, dance parties etc. It is like school in the sense that they teach them about colors, letters, and all of that. They have 2 meals and 1 snack there per day (which we provide) and a nap. DS actually naps better there than he does at home because of the structure.

I imagine it will be hard for your DD being that she is starting at 2 and DS basically knew no different because he was so little when he started. So hang in there!

Worst part of daycare -- they get sick a lot. Especially the first year / winter they're there. But DS seems to have built up quite an immunity and ((Knock on wood)) hardly gets sick anymore. And I think he'll be less likely to get sick in school as he gets older.

Re: daycare moms...

My DD has been in daycare since 9 weeks old and I can truly say it is the BEST thing we have ever done for her.
She loves every second of "school".
She is sick today and home with my DH and was crying as I left to go to work this morning that she wanted to go to school.
She has learned so much there, has gotten so socialized, they pretty much potty trained her for me, she has learned dozens of songs, spanish, letters, numbers, colors, you name it.
All things she would have never learned at home because I work FT and I'd have no clue what I should be teaching her, and how, etc.
I can't say enough about the care she receives at the place we go- I never once thought twice about leaving her there in their care.
They are truly like family to me. I can see how every single teacher she comes in contact with really loves her and how much she loves them too.
My center has different programs and cirruculums for each age group. At 2 they are prepping for preschool so yes, there is a bit more structure and learning.
I always say- even if I won the lotto tomorrow and didn't have to work anymore- I'd still want her to go there a few days a week. It's that valuable IMO.

Message edited 7/3/2013 9:27:03 AM.

Re: daycare moms...

DS now 4 months has been there since 12 weeks. He always seems happy at drop off, pick up and lunch visits. I love his teachers and everyone else that works there. I honestly prefer it to having family watch him. Not that it was an option, but even if it was,I would prefer he be there.

The first couple of days were rough for me... but once I saw how much they really get attached and love those babies/kids it put me at ease!

Re: daycare moms...

DD has been in daycare since she was 3 months... so imagine the anxiety I've had. Now, I wouldn't have it any other way! Transitioning may be tough but the teachers have dealt with this before.

For the children you age I do believe it's run more like school. They do educational things and have a schedule too including play time.

Re: daycare moms...

have NO fears daycare is one of the best gifts I've given my son, seriously!

he would be miserable without daycare. without his friends, his learning environment, hours of outdoor play, arts and crafts, music, LOVE (so much love). I honestly think he is bored on the days he is home with me The social interaction is SO important for them. My son talks about his friends non stop.

we started my son at 3 months (he is now 3) and my baby girl at 11 weeks (she is now 5.5 months).

At 2 years old, there will be an adjustment period for everyone. Start preparing your child. Talk about it. Make it exciting! Take her with you to look at places.

Re: daycare moms...

We had a similar situation. DD was cared for by MIL for the first 2.5 years but after I had my DS and was returning to work, we decided to send her to preschool/daycare. I was VERY concerned being that she had never been in a school setting, not to mention she is very shy. I actually did a trial run last summer for a few weeks just to see how she did and then she started in September. I have to say it was the best thing for her! The first couple of days were hard but it really wasn't that bad. Every once in a while she has her days where she might get upset or cry when I drop her off, and it can be tough to leave them like that, but those times are far and few between. And I could always call and check in on her. One of our main reasons for sending her was so that she could socialize with other children and it's so nice to see her interact with other kids now. And she has learned SO much. She really loves going and can go on and on about all the stuff she does and learns. I'm very happy about our decision to send her!

Good luck!!

daycare moms...

We are not in Daycare but dd was 2.5 when she started school a few days a week. She went from Jan-June. The first day she went she sat right down got to work and wouldn't even say goodbye to me haha. She loved every moment of it. It was the best thing for her. She talked late and school helped her with that as well as socially.

I was a day care teacher for a while before kids, and the day is very structured. Everything is timed out. I saw the benefit of it and it truly is amazing what and how fast they learn around others. At 2 you might have a "difficult" period int he beginning, just b/c it's new but she will get used to it and LOVE going.

Re: daycare moms...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your replies. You have all made me feel so much better about this decision!

Re: daycare moms...

Posted by maymama

have NO fears daycare is one of the best gifts I've given my son, seriously!

he would be miserable without daycare. without his friends, his learning environment, hours of outdoor play, arts and crafts, music, LOVE (so much love). I honestly think he is bored on the days he is home with me The social interaction is SO important for them. My son talks about his friends non stop.

we started my son at 3 months (he is now 3) and my baby girl at 11 weeks (she is now 5.5 months).

At 2 years old, there will be an adjustment period for everyone. Start preparing your child. Talk about it. Make it exciting! Take her with you to look at places.

Re: daycare moms...

I truly believe daycare is worthwhile for kids, and I regret that I couldn't keep DS in there when we had our second. It was just too much for two.

DS#1 is so much more social than DS#2 and I think daycare had a lot to do with it. He is a much more happy-go-lucky kind of guy. Separation was much easier when he got to preschool.

I think the social aspect is really important for kids.

Re: daycare moms...

I just recently went through this also, although my DS is only 6 months. I had family members watching him and that wasn't working out, and let me tell me..I feel so much better with him in Daycare! After seeing how much they love him and he gets to just play all day long! I was always the one against day care but once u find the right place, trust me, you will feel soo much better!

daycare moms...

my dd was 2.5 when she started daycare and my son just started 3 weeks ago. he will be 2 on 7/19.
For both, they were watched at home by family or dh prior to daycare. i was very anxious about the transition. i liked that they received one on one attention at home and i felt they had a good foundation of appropriate behavior. i was nervous about my kids learning bad habits from other kids but everything turned out great!

the first few days were rough on my kids and myself. For my dd, i was nearing the end of my maternity leave so i was able to transition her by sending her for a few hours at a time and sitting with her for a little bit. when i would spy in the window, i would see her pout and sniff and it broke my heart. i don't recall how long it took for her to be truly comfortable where she would just run into to class happily but it did happen.

with my ds, i was at work and my dh brought him to school. he didnt really do anything to "transition" him like i did. he said he cried and still cries at drop off. the first week, i called the school to check on him and they said he was happy and playing.
It helped me mentally to know that he wasn't sitting by himself in a corner crying.

i do like that they are socializing, outside playing, learning, doing, having fun. i think it is a little hard for both mom and toddlers to send them in when they are used to one on one attention but eventually, they look forward to it.

good luck!!

daycare moms...

oh and another tip, they will eat and they will nap! my kids are used to be rocked to sleep and i was worried my kids wouldn't go down for a nap but they do and they eat just fine.
i was told that kids just do as other kids do.

my daycare is a franchise. We chose Goddard school and we love it.
they do have a curriculum and a schedule that they follow. just try to find the best daycare that you can afford!

Re: daycare moms...

My kids went from a nanny to a daycare setting at 18month and 2 1/2. It was great for them. I loved the daycare I found for them and they loved it. They looked forward to going everyday.