Daycare??

Also please nobody saying “don’t send her” 😂 because I already don’t want to, I just need her to spend time with other kids and start learning/preparing for school

I’m here for the responses. Blessed that my mother in law runs an in home daycare that we’ll be using a couple days a week if this weren’t an option I’d look into nanny shares for a smaller/more controlled environment and the cost is far less more than the daycare rates I’ve heard of these days

My son just started daycare last week. He's 22 months. He was on a waitlist and we just got a spot. It is full time, even though we don't need full time. Drop-offs are hard because he's never been looked after by someone that isn't a family or friend. At the end of the day he has a lot of fun. I have the option to drop him off and pick him up at anytime, there is no set hours as long as it's within the open hours. I am able to get so much done on my days off.

@Nina our daycare is $23.25 a day. The nanny we were going to hire was $20/hr

@Ellie did you find that your nerves (if any) affected his attitude toward daycare at all? Also, I feel weird for asking this but how did you go the first few times afterwards? Did you just distract yourself or something to stop from worrying or feeling bad? I know she’s gonna be fine after a few times cuz they’re resilient and obviously it’s way more fun for them cuz there’s kids but I’m having a hard time trusting others with her 😂

Well, as I've seen working in a daycare, the longer you stay at home with the baby, the harder it is to get them to go to daycare because they are attached to you and so used to seeing you all day.

@Nina this would be the dream lol

@Shaianne yes… that’s why I’m asking for advice with specific issues I’m having on this post ☺️

My son goes on for three afternoons a week. Drop offs are hard because he does get upset but that will pass eventually and I know he will calm as soon as he's distracted. He's 2 and he started a month before his second birthday. I can pick him up whenever I want and I always get a decent summary of his day. We get access to an app that has photos they've taken of him throughout the day to show me what he's been up to. His speech has come along a lot since starting there and he's made lots of little friends. I still worry sometimes because of how he is on drop off but I know he's going to be looked after and having fun. I get so much done when he's there and he always comes home in such a good mood.

@Angela the first day it took me an hour to get out of the daycare. I ended up being late for my exercise class and the participants weren't happy. The second day I went to the gym after dropping him off and took out emotions on the leg press. I grew up in daycare (started at 1 month) so I remember having a great time and making lots of friends. Our daycare also has an app through which I get updates and photos. What he eats and how much, when he's changed, what he plays with, if there is an incident. I also get copies of any incident report filled out during the day (ie if they get injured, if another child bite them etc)

Oh! Okay. So it seems some daycares have apps. That’s really reassuring 😅 For some reason I thought you couldn’t just pick them up whenever hahah that makes me feel a lot better

@Angela most have them yes. They will input all diaper changes. What they ate for the day and if they have them ouchie reports

So I don’t have a child in daycare yet but I use to work at a daycare for a few years and I think it’s great you’re going to start her young. There are so many benefits in being in a school environment with other adults and kids. It will be hard for her at drop off but it’s harder if you linger around, give her a hug and kiss, tell her you love her and you’ll be back to pick her up. She’ll get cuddles from her teacher until she feels better. She’ll make friends and have lots of new toys to play with. She’ll also learn a lot! The apps are amazing! They send you pictures, enter what she ate and how much. I would definitely look into a daycare that gives you access to cameras and look up the state report online so you’re aware of everything! Make sure you tour lots of daycares. You can never stop the what ifs and that’s in anything and everything that has to do with your child but think positive and just trust God is watching over her at all times. I hope you have a great experience!

Each family is different but most of my clients use family day care or nanny’s. Hope that helps as another option. I’m a nanny myself but not in your area otherwise would of offered to help but if your ever down toward southern highlands feel free to reach out https://robleyhelpers.wixstudio.io/robleyhelpers

My little one started daycare when he turned 1, goes 2 days a week (in a row as they said it’s better 2 days in a row instead of broken up) First few times were hard as little one was upset to go in and I was upset to leave him but lingering makes it worse so make it a quick drop off. Definitely felt guilty at first but he’s been going for 9 months now and he loves it. They have different toys there and they do things I wouldn’t normally do at home. Mixing with other children is also great as well! I get regular updates and I choose when I pick up and drop off, I just need to let them know on the app