Start group care at 21 months or wait a year?

[Anonymous]

We have one 16 month DD who has been in a nanny share since 4 months. We applied to a number of waitlists for daycares/preschools but didn’t really expect that we’d get a slot this fall, so we were prepared to stick with the nanny share until next fall, when she’ll be almost 3. BUT, we did end up getting a spot in a daycare/preschool that we like a lot, for this fall. She will be about 21 months when she starts, and I’ve read that just under 2 can be a tough age to transition to a group setting, so we’re wonderkng if we should just wait until next fall. Here are the pros of both options:

START THIS FALL
*Secure a spot in a daycare/preschool we like (probably won’t have another chance for this one if we decline)
*Staying in nanny share another year may make it tougher for DD to transition
*DD is very social and would probably enjoy group setting
*We’re hoping to have another child within the next 1.5 years, and transition to group care probably easier if it doesn’t coincide with a new sibling
*Nanny share is going well but other family or nanny could always leave

WAIT A YEAR
*May be a better time developmentally (although DD has already started separation anxiety, so she may be past the peak by 21 months)
*DD loves the nanny
*Nanny share is generally going well, so why mess with a good thing

Anyone faced a similar decision? Would love any advice you might have!

[Anonymous]

Personally, I would have recommended a group setting much earlier, at 12 months or so.

[Anonymous]

Might be worth thinking about starting at 12 months if we do have another kid, especially since it would probably be easier to get in with an older sibling!