Reply to Your <6 Month Old Infant in Daycare

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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I just want to let you know that when my maternity leave was winding down, I started freaking out about day care, about being away from DD, no one can take care of her like I do, maybe I should find a way to stay home, etc.  We did a partial intro week at the day care before I went back to work, just half days at first.  I cried hysterically when I dropped her off the first time ... and then I went and ran some errands and the time just flew.  I picked her up much later than I planned (not that she knew or cared, at that age).  The first few weeks back at work were bittersweet in that I missed her -- but also great in that there was a whole side of me that had not been engaged during maternity leave.

I love DD and love my time with her, but honestly if I won the lotto tomorrow I would still put her in day care at least part of the week.  It's good for her and good for me.  They challenge her in ways I don't, and give her new experiences, and they are "fresher" and more energetic because they have all the support of the center in the form of meals and cleaning and supplies and coverage for breaks.  DD is now a toddler and has so much fun she doesn't want to leave in the afternoons.

What age did you put your child in daycare?  14 weeks.  It felt early, but I'm glad we didn't wait till 6+ months and the separation anxiety that starts then.

What time of year was it? (Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter)  August.

How big was the class size?  From August-October, 12 kids with 3 teachers, and several of the kids were walking.  That October we moved to a different facility with a class of 8 kids and 2 teachers, all closer in age, which I preferred.

How often did your children get sick in the infant class during that first year?  The whole household got some kind of horrific stomach bug that autumn, and it probably was from day care.  During the winter DD had a recurring cold and two ear infections.  At one point the sinus issue was bad enough to cause a nursing strike for a couple days.  But she has not been ill at all since the weather warmed up, except once this summer she got a weird rash (doctor was stumped) and we kept her home just because the rash would have freaked the day care out.

Do you feel that your child got enough 1-on-1 attention in the class group setting?  In general, yes.  At our first day care I was happy with the lead teachers but unhappy with the afternoon floater coverage -- it actually was a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio, but the floater was horrible and there was no interaction.  As I mentioned, we found a new center.  In a classroom with good teachers, the 1:4 ratio has been fine.  It also gets better, in that sense, as they get older and can interact more; DD liked day care a lot more once she was mobile.
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