If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

For a couple of hours a week - how old would your DC be when you did it?

There is a great school over here and I'm *thinking* of putting Jack in at 18 months - for two half days a week to start. Should I wait until the following Sept. in which case he would be just over two years?

Is this too young? Would you wait a little longer - since I am a SAHM and there is no rush? Would you do it then since it's great socialization?

Just curious as to when you would do it - given the choice.

THANKS SO MUCH!

ETA: I know there is no right/wrong age - just curious as to what you would do, when, and why!

Message edited 9/2/2008 12:04:29 PM.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

I am thinking of putting DS into something similar and he is 17 months now. I think he needs some more socialization with other kids -- not that it is right for all children, but I feel my DS needs it.

Problem is -- I am having a hard time finding a place that will do 2 half days....any suggestions?

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

I would probably wait until 2 years old.

I was thinking to do that also.

What is their program at 18 months? What do they do?

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare

DD, as you know, goes to MIL's, with no child interaction. We try to GTG with friends with small kids often, which does help. That said...I will be putting DD into a pre-school when she turns 3, b/c MIL wants to watch her until then, plus she's free and pre-school/daycare isn't. That's MY main determining factor for waiting a bit, saving money.

Sounds like it is a great place...can you try it out for a few weeks or do you have to enroll for a whole semester?

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

i just got my boys into something.. there 2 yrs.. they will be going 3 days a week for 3 hrs....

if i had found this program sooner i prob wouod have done it last year!!

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Jack is constantly interacting with other kids - but I kind of want it in a structured environment - and maybe think I should cut the cord alittle bit I think I figured out that in his entire life we haven't been apart for more than 15 waking hours

I would also like him to be enrolled because if/when #2 comes along - I think it would be great for everyone involved!

My nephews have gone to this school - and I can't say enough great things about it!

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Sarah started at 2.5. She went 3 days a week for 3 hours each day.

Andy will be starting the same program this month, he's 26 months.

Most of the nursery schools I called only took kids 3+ that were potty trained. There were a few like this one that took them starting at 2. The other one I was considering was a cooperative, so once a month I'd have to help out in the class, which was an issue since I didn't have anyone to watch ds.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Diana,,it won't hurt Jack if you enroll him into early preschool at 18 months...it would most likely be 2-3 hours a day...2 days a week. Only good will come out of the experience, KWIM? Especially since you are familiar with the school and you know people who love it. Go visit the center and observe what the other 18 month olds are doing for the time they are at school...Maybe you can even speak with another parent of an 18 month old at the school...

Message edited 9/2/2008 12:27:29 PM.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by smdl

I would probably wait until 2 years old.

I was thinking to do that also.

What is their program at 18 months? What do they do?

All great questions - and I have no answers for you just yet.

This is all just preliminary for me. If we choose to put him in - in January - then I will probably start seriously looking into it - in October I guess?

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

DD is going to be 2 this October and I will be putting her into a program that is 1 hour 1 time a week at our nursery school... but I get to stay and let her socialize....
Next year we'll do nursery school.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Joey will start at 2, probably 2 mornings a week.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

I started DD in school/daycare at 17 months...and it was the best thing I ever did! She started going 4 1/2 days, but now she goes 5 days (8:30-3:30), so it's considered full time. She is turning 2 this week, but she has learned soooo much!

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

I kinda of did choose. I stayed home with him until he was about 10 mos. I could have gone back to work sooner or later than that, but he was pretty independent already at that age & loved the socialization.

I think every kid is different though, and you have to think of what works for you.


This time I will not have as much of a choice as I need to go back to work right away or lose my job (I have not been here long enough to get FLMA protection). So baby #2 will go into daycare at 12 weeks. I have to tell you I am not thrilled, but it is what it is (and I still might decide to stay home, but don't tell DH!).

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

From my experience with kids in Ben's daycare, sometimes the older they are the more difficult it is for them to adjust. I don't know if there would be a big difference between 18 mos and 2 yrs but I could ask some of the teachers at his school for their opinion if you'd like.

Ben started at 13 weeks but I had to go back to work at that time. If we had a choice, I would have kept him home until at least 9 mos. With our second child, I'm hoping to stay home until he/she is at least that age.

Ben is thriving in daycare and enjoys going. It's me who has issues still!

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Thanks to everyone for responding.

I just called the place and they will do two half days - at 18 months. I would also have to start the ball rolling for Jan enrollment. I guess DH and I will have to talk about this now.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Just wanted to add

Some daycares may not do just 2 days a week at 18 months unlike a "nursery" program.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Josh will be 3 or 4 years old before he leaves the nest

Friday-AM had the little boy here with him
PM-had a couple over and their daughter, 3 weeks old then Josh over.

Sat-playdate at park

Sun-playdate at pool

Mon-nothing

This morning...our library class with 20 kids(17 mos-24 mos old)

So, I am not worried about him socializing...

My concern, not popular, but I am not comfortable with having him out of a family member's care, not being able to vocalize his concerns or issues going on in an enviroment when I am not there.

I am not concerned with him knowing the abcs, or counting to 10...I know all that will come. I like him to be a carefree baby...I don't want the structure for him...he has years and years of that to come.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

If I had the choice, I would do it sooner than later. This is coming from someone who started music class with DS at 2 months old

It will give him more interaction with other kiddies, get you out of the house more and in my opinion the earlier you start him he will be used to it as opposed to being scared later on

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Diana,

Are you looking for structure classes or just interaction?

I do playdates every week with DS.

That's why I will probably wait until he is 2.

He was in daycare until he was 11 month from the time he was 3.5 months.

I find him much "calmer" in our home environment.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

I started there at 22 months. I thought it was a great age... I am debating starting DD#2 next summer when she is 18 months or waiting until September when she is closer to 22 months...

I love the change I saw in DD after she started there...and I made friends in the process and now she has lots of playdates

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

Posted by ckdk

I started there at 22 months. I thought it was a great age... I am debating starting DD#2 next summer when she is 18 months or waiting until September when she is closer to 22 months...

I love the change I saw in DD after she started there...and I made friends in the process and now she has lots of playdates

Message edited 9/2/2008 1:21:54 PM.

Re: If you had a choice as to when to put your DC into a daycare/school

I know you did not ask, but I don't think its selfish.

God willing and I live to 90 years old...I will have 85 Joshfree years in my lifetime.

I am cherishing these 5 years I have with him...while he is mine. Josh will have his lifetime, but only these 5 years with me. He has years and years of school ahead of him, summer camps, afterschool activities, now...I want him to be my carefree baby.