How did your child react when you first put them in daycare?

Question

I am thinking about putting my 12 month old son in daycare because Im starting nursing school Oct. 1st. He has been with me since birth and his daddy works during the day and other relatives are too far. Is this a good age? How old was your baby when they went into daycare and how did they handle it?

Also, do you have any daycare horror stories? =(

Answer 1

My son was 3 months old when he started at an in-home daycare. Unfortunately I only got 3 months paid maternity and well, I needed the money so I had to go back. An in-home daycare was perfect for us to start off because he was small. I had no problems with the lady and even though my son is no longer there, we still keep in contact.

He started at a regular daycare facility at about 12 months. He never cried when I dropped him off. He sometimes doesn’t even kiss me goodbye because he’s too busy figuring out which toy to play with. I LOVE the daycare my son goes to! It’s like a little mini-world for kids. Small tables, small cubbies, small chairs. It’s adorable!

Honestly, parents struggle with daycare more than kids do. They see other kids, all those colors, all the animals on the walls, and they’re just mesmerized and ready to learn. At least my son was!

He’s been at this daycare for almost a year now and he’s progressed SO well over there. The place is also VERY secure. We all have parent codes to get in the door. They’re somewhat strict on some levels (with security and policy), but that’s my baby boy, so be as strict as you want! It’s for his protection!

My daycare also provides fun stuff for parents. They do a parents night out once in a while. The kids have a big slumber party. And coming up next week they’re having a grandparents luncheon and all the grandparents can go “dine” with the little ones.

There are GREAT daycares out there and some okay daycares out there. You just have to sort through and find the best of them! I’m sure you’re little one will have a blast. They may struggle at first with being without you, but they’ll adapt just as you will.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Depends on which child we are talking about....my oldest RAN for the toys....never even told me goodbye.   My second son just screamed!   It took him 'forever' to get used to it (he was 2)......he is now 32 and vividly remembers one specific day when they were taken outside to play and he watched me walk away.  The workers were great, they immediately picked him up and reassured him that "Mommy will be back soon!".

Answer 3

She ran for the toys. The next time she told me that I didn't need to stay, she was fine and ran off with the child who greeted her - she was 3 at the time. She didn't go often but always begged to go back - and learned a lot as well.

Answer 4

I was lucky enough to find home day care and the worst are my fears I guess.  She was 2 months old when started and seems to love her care provider.  There are always things you are going to find you do not like because in your eyes only you will be able to care for your child exactly the way you would want him/her to be cared for.  So no day care situation can ever be perfect.  

Answer 5

I work in a daycare and all children react differently, some will be fine from the start and others may be a little clingy, in my daycare we have a settling in program we're the parents can stay with their child/children and play with them and get to bond with the staff they also get 3hours of free daycare and they can choose how they use this e.g. leave their child for 1, 1half, 2 hours or the whole 3 hours this way they get a chance to become use to the setting before they are actually left.

Before deciding on a daycare you should visit all the ones you have in mind and ask lot's of questions to help you make up your mind.

Hope I've helped.

Answer 6

Hannah absolutely loved it, however I would suggest that you ask frinds and family to recommend one, and if that is not possible then make an unannounced visit to the ones that you are interested in before you decide.

Hannah has been in daycare for over a year now, and still can't wait to get there to be with her friends.

Day care gives them opportunity to interact with children their own age, and can be very healthy for them socially.

Answer 7

I HAD ONE THAT WAS 2 AND THE OTHER WAS 6MONTHS THE 2 YEAR OLD WAS FINE AND LOVED IT BUT THE 6 MONTH OLD SCREAMED BLOODY MURDER FOR 1 MONTH STRIGHT AND THEY SAID SHE WOULD SCREAM UNTIL SHE FELL ASLEEP BUT SHE FINALLY GOT BETTER WITH IT SHE WAS JUST A MOMAS GIRL NOW SHE LOVES DAYCARE. AND IF I WAS YOU I WOULD CHECK AROUND TRY AND FIND A DAYCARE WITH A VIDEO MONTERING SYSTEM AND ALSO CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL DHR TO SEE IF THE DAYCARE YOU CHOOSE HAS HAD ANY COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST THEM. ITS BETTER TO BE SAME THEN SORRY

Answer 8

First of all if I had horror stories my kids will not be in daycare.  But my oldest did not go to daycare I stayed at home with her she is 13 now.  My 4 year old started daycare when he was 2 and he still loves it.  At first I was so scared to let him go that I cried but I had to do it.  Then my 15 month old started when he was 6 months but it was like a second home to him.  My older son went to daycare everyday I was on maternity leave and this allowed me the time to be with the baby and not have the older one getting all jealous but I took the baby everyday to drop him off and pick him up and he loved showing his brother off.  So when it was time to put him in everyone knew the baby and the baby knew all of them.  But he does have his favorite teacher.  And we love Ms. Erica but they are all great and I love them so much because they are great with my children.  I even referred several friends and co workers to the day care and they as well love it.  I hope you have the same experience with your provider.  Now remember they do have their when they cry for mommy like my baby the other day cried and did not want to let me go I had to put him in his teacher's arms and walk out.  It hurt me so bad I called them right away and she told me the truth he cried for about 1 hour but she rocked him until him calmed down.  That afternoon I was running to the day care to get my baby and I get there and that little monkey cried because he did not want to leave.  So at least I know they are treating him right.  Dont look for horror stories look for positive ones and also talk to other parents and also go several different times before he starts on different days to do suprise visits to see how they actually are.  I had one friend make an appt everything was great she made an unannounce visit and could not believe her eyes it was dirty the kids were dirty and they were in front of a tv eating junk food.  Good luck

Answer 9

My oldest son was 1 when I put him in daycare. the other two have gone from the time they were 6 weeks. I had the hardest time with my oldest son.  He cried a little and I called throughout the day to check on him for the first couple of days.  Before long he would get excited when we got there and loved playing with the new toys and other kids.

For my horror story it was the same daycare a year later (different room, different teacher too many kids).  I went to pick my son up and noticed that he had the same diaper on that I had put on him 9 hours earlier.  They have a paper that the teacher fills out that tells you what they ate, when they had a BM, etc.  There was as substitute teacher that day and a paper was never made for my son so he had not had his diaper changed until had literally fallen off.  I received a free month of daycare and cried until he went to a new one. My younger two go to an in home daycare and I love it.  

Answer 10

She was GREAT! as soon as she saw all the other kids she jumped right in she was about 1  1/2 then... i think i'm the one that took it hard.. LOL... i think it'll be good for him to get some interaction with other kids