Reply to Does SAHM make a difference during infant years?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]New poster here - are there any thoughts or good threads someone is familiar with on the best time to transition to daycare / preschool if a baby has had a SAHM, nanny without other kids, or grandparent as a caregiver? Ours is 16 mo and I can’t decide whether to start planning the transition or wait until he’s closer to 3. Money not the primary consideration.[/quote]

As someone who has worked in daycare, I'd say that 16 months is the worst possible age to transition.  Babies make the transition smoothly, mainly because what htey get in good daycares is really similar.  From about 2.5 and up kids are really motivated by the other kids, and make the transition well.

Between about 12 months and 2 kids who have been there do fine, but it's a really hard transition, because it's hard to teach being in a group to mobile kids who are at an age when they aren't interested in their peers and don't have the reasoning to understand what's going on.  There's no benefit to them, other than a safe nurturing place. [/quote]

Director of an early childhood program, and I'd agree with the caveat that some 18 month olds are just so SOCIAL that they love group care!  But for many, they go from being at home alone with one adult to being in a group of 8 or 10 children with 2 or 3 different adults and it's hard.  If you can wait one more year, I'd do it.   You could also split the difference and find a wonderful licensed family childcare home with 6 or 8 children but the children are different ages, which can often be easier because the provider can give your toddler what he/she needs and the 3s and 4s can wait a minute or two.  Eight 18 month olds in a room is hectic - and fun - but none can "wait a minute."[/quote]

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