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Preschool and Daycare Discussion
which part-time schedule is best for baby?
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Anonymous
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I'm planning to start baby in daycare for 2 days/week when she's 3 months old. Other days in the week she'll be home with either her dad or me.
Would it be less stressful for baby to be in daycare 2 days in a row versus a Tues/Thurs schedule? We can be flexible with the days we are home, and we really want to do what's best for baby. We've never done this before (she'll be our first) so any advice is much appreciated! Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Our son was in daycare 4 days a week, which is pretty different from 2. But I felt pretty strongly that he did better having his daycare days all in a row. I think that babies thrive with routine, and splitting up daycare/at home days interferes with routine. |
Anonymous
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Agree with PP.
My 4 mo DD is in daycare two days on, one day off, two days on, then weekend. She's not particularly fussy at daycare, but doesn't sleep much, either. So consequently, days with me or weekend days, she sleeps a lot. I do worry that I'm upsetting her routine by never letting her 'learn' to sleep at daycare, but this is just the schedule we have to work with. We have that routine because I can't go more than two days working, without catching up on sleep and housework. |
Anonymous
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I had a baby start with me 3 weeks ago. Baby comes Monday/Friday. 2-3 days between coming to me. So far baby is adjusting just fine. I would definitely suggest helping your baby learn to sleep in the crib vs. on you or in a bouncy or swing. Daycare providers are not allowed to let babies sleep anywhere but in a crib. They don't sleep much at daycare if they are not used to this. And their routine can become very disrupted.
Swaddling definitely helps. |
Anonymous
| my kids (2mo and 2y) go every other day, but they are very adaptable and easy-going. I think at that age they'll be fine either way. |
Anonymous
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Thanks all!
9:44 - do you have other part-time spots available? where are you located? |
Anonymous
| Hi, 9:44 here. Yes, I have other part-time spots available. I am in Fairfax, VA 22033 area near Chantilly High School and Greenbriar West Elementary. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
| Both my kids were in daycare 2 days/week from age 4 months to 10 months. I always did two consecutive days. I think that was easier for them to adjust. The only advice that (if you have the option), you might want to put the baby in for MORE than 2 days in the very beginning. I think the two days on/5 days off thing works fine long term, but it is difficult for the baby to get used to it in the beginning. I put my second kid in 4 days consecutive for the first two weeks (hard for me, and him, but best in the long run) and then resumed the 2 day/week schedule. I didn't do that for my first (despite my day care provider's recommendation) and it really dragged out the adjustment process for weeks! |
Anonymous
| My son started daycare part-time a few weeks ago at 9 weeks. I work on M-W, but put him in daycare on Tuesdays, too, partly for his consistency and partly because I know I'm going to end up working on Tuesdays, despite what I think now. This is my first kid, so I can't compare to "skipping" days, but the three-days in/four-days out has worked out pretty well. We're still trying to get in synch with the daycare routine for naps, but that will come as the baby gets a little older and we get a little more experienced with how they do things. Whatever you decide, I recommend that you find out the daycare's routine/schedule for naptime and feedings and slowly begin to get your child in synch with that. And on the days the baby is at home, try to keep to their routine/schedule to make things easier on everybody. |
Anonymous
| PP here - correction, I work on Mondays AND Wednesdays right now. |