Best and worst ages to transition to new daycare/preschool (range 9 months to age 3)?

[Anonymous]

DC is 6 months. We are happy with her current daycare, but we are on waitlists for others that are in more convenient locations for us and with better accreditation. However, I am starting to feel a little torn, and I don't want to mess with something that is working right now or create a difficult transition for DC. What would be the best and worst ages to transition her (if at all)?

[Anonymous]

The longer you wait the harder it will be. I would say 9 months if that is the earliest you can do. Do it while her memory is still goldfish-y. When she gets older she will attach much harder to her childcare provider. We transitioned at 20 months, and 2 months later she is still crying for her old teacher.

[Anonymous]

Right now is when you should do it if you want her to be totally oblivious. Or you may be too late already, depending on whether she's started the separation anxiety stage. But you know, just do it when you have you if the new place is really much better. I did it with all my kids and it's always a rough start but good teachers know how to deal with it and they all adjust.

[Anonymous]

Roughest would be 15-22ish IME

[Anonymous]

Let her have the security she now has.
Maintaining bonds are critical 0-3.
Keep her where she is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let her have the security she now has.
Maintaining bonds are critical 0-3.
Keep her where she is.

All things being equal, sure. But all things aren't equal. If there's a better, more convenient program and you can get in, the benefits to the whole family will be worth it.

I agree with the sooner the better. We moved one of our kids when he was 2, and it wasn't the smoothest, but the program was much better suited to his personality, and it was worth it. Plus we had no way of knowing if any behavioral issues were the result of whatever phase he was going through or the actual process of changing daycares.

[Anonymous]

I feel like my kid had a lot of transitions, and it turned out fine.DD had one FT care taker until 18 months. Then I watched her over the summer until she was old enough for nursery school. She was there until she turned 3. At 3 she switched to preschool, and at age 4 she either switch to PK4. Kids are pretty flexible as long as they have a stable family foundation.