Anyone Have Their Child Start Daycare at 2? - Osseo,MN

My daughter was about 1½ when she started daycare. It went really well to begin with then she got upset after a couple of weeks and that went over within a month. They did have a bit of a "schooling in" period where you would be there with her for a couple of days for a few hours, then leave for short periods and after a few days leave her there for a few hours on her own.. then finally a whole day.. it took about 1-2 weeks to get that over with but it was a very nice period for not only her but for me as well I got to see how things ran around there and she got comfortable with the place with mom still around.

It will go well, might be a little upset after the newness of the place wears off and they truly understand that you are leaving but it will pass when they see that they are going to have a good time there with friends.

I think it's great that you could work it out to be able to stay home with her.. and I think it's great that you plan on sending her off to daycare when she is older. It's great socialization.

As a mom of 3 and daycare provider for 20+ years, if you can be home with your child, do it. No one can care for your child the way that you can, and your child knows it. I have had children start in my daycare at all ages and it is a hard adjustment, no matter what age. The benefits of being home with your child for the first 2 yrs are endless. i say do it!
S.

Our youngest was at home with me for 3 months and then at my MIL's until he was 2. We transitioned him to a friend's in-home daycare at that point and now at 4 yrs he has moved on to pre-school to prepare him for kindergarten next year. Worked fine but..

If I had it to do over again, I might have done daycare at 1 yr and pre-school at 3 yrs. He was sooo ready for each new step and I think we kinda held him back. But, financially our options were limited at the time.

Both my boys started part-time nursery school when they were 2. It was hard for the first two weeks, but they adjusted very quickly. It was not at all hard on me, because I knew that I was sending them to a very good place that would give them opportunities I couldn't provide at home. They both love school now. I really think babies are better off at home, and if you can manage that, then consider yourself lucky!

J.

I was able to keep my daughter out of daycare until she was about 17 months old. We started her in a daycare center part time, which was okay at first, and then she kept getting bitten. After many issues, we pulled her out and took her to a family friend who home-schooled her children. It worked out perfectly for us, and for them. Our daughter was the only one she watched, and since it was part time it wasn't as overwhelming for her. We moved to MN last year, and I had to start the whole process over again. We chose an in-home daycare this time, and she goes part time (about 8 times a month, but it varies). Overall, I've been happy with this decision, but if I could find a SAHM to take her, I would prefer that instead. My daughter is an only child, but I made sure she had plenty of socialization through swimming lessons, trips to the park, church, etc. I'm so glad that you were able to work it out with your employers to be able to keep her home! Oh, my daughter was sick a lot when I first put her in daycare, but her immune system has strengthened considerably, even being in there part time. She rarely gets sick now. Good luck!

All three of my kids started part-time daycare at 2, and now my youngest started at about 19 months, partly because he always wanted to stay when I dropped his sister off. It has worked great for us. By then, I think they really do need the social interaction, and they are ready for it. (and so am I!) Yes, there were some minor separation issues, but that can happen at any time. One daughter was at daycare for a year before she decided to cry and carry on every time I dropped her off. I find a good daycare provider works through that with you, and everyone does great in the end. Good Luck!