what is a good age to be in childcare centre?

[emoo]

I am now 24weeks pregnant with my second child and thinking of sending my son of 14mths to a childcare centre? what do you guys think? is he too young for it? :confused:

[SassyMummy]

24 months pregnant? WOW... and I was complaining for going over by 2 weeks...:p

I think nobody will be able to answer that question for you though... some women put their kids in childcare when they're really young, others never put their kids in.

I have a 26 month old, and I'd put her in for a maximum of 2 days a week... and that would be to give me a break, and to give her a break from me, and allow her to play with out kids. I wouldn't have put her in at 14 months, but that's just myself and my daughter and our decision...

ETA: I just had a thought... if you ship him off to daycare and then a new baby joins the family... would he maybe feel like he's being replaced? I dunno, I don't understand how a toddlers mind works... but it's a possibility for sure.

Full-time childcare I wouldn't recommend, but maybe part-time to give you a bit of a break... it's up to you though, of course.

[forbetoel]

Some will say he is old enough, but if you don't have to then I wouldn't. A 14 month old is still just a baby, and would probally still prefer to be at home with you. Also consider that daycare is a breeding ground for every illness and disease going around, it is a high possibility he would get what ever is going around and bring it back home. I am not one for rushing our little ones to grow up, but I wish you heaps of luck with your decision and of course that new bub:thumbsup:

[emoo]

oops! I meant to say 24 weeks. Anyway, thank you for your advice. :yelclap:

[~Emmylou~]

This is such a personal thing and I don't think there is a right or wrong age - because even that age kids have such different personalities.

For me personally, my "rule" is that I won't put my kids in a centre until they can talk and tell me what's going on.

My DD is about to turn three, and now communicates with me very well and I'm considering putting her in a centre in the next few months. But DS won't be going as I still feel he is too young. I've heard too many stories about babies his age crying all day and parents not being told :( That's just my position on it...

[Snuffys Mum]

My son started full time daycare at 10 months because it was at the stage where if I didn't go back to work, one or both of us wasn't going to make it through the day.

He's thriving, I'm thriving. It's all happy campers here! :yes:

But it's such a personal choice.........

[bigglet]

I prefer the everything in moderation rule....

My DD started childcare (2 days a week) when she was 5 months old and I guess because she was so young she adapted extremely well and she's now 20 months old and loves it.

I guess it does depend on the childcare centre and what activities they do and the age breakups in the rooms.

I'm a product of childcare (I started going full time when I was about 9 months old) and I still have memories of my experiences there - mostly of the rooms, kids, activities etc. :D

[Samral]

hi, just wanted to give you a different perspective of childcare, iam a qualified (2 years study) childcare worker, and it all depends on your child, yes your child wil be prone to alot more illnesses but in the long run it helps with their immune systems.i believe anything from 12 months old onwards and the thing you have to remember as a parent is, if you feel comfortable with the staff,centre,and morals than you will be fine, tell the staff exactly what you want to acheive by doing this.I believe there is a childcare centre for everychild, but it is all in the gut instinct, when you will start looking you will know.in 9 years in the industry i have had so many mums say i just knew this was the right centre for me as soon as i walked in, so good luck.i would be happy to answer any questions if you like.

[ShadyCharacter]

I honestly believe that if you don't need to, children should not be in childcare. My son has been going for 2.5 years (from the age of 6 months to 3 years) 3 days per week, and we have found ourselves in a situation next year where we can pull him out all together.. I can't wait! :smiliedance:

The centre he goes to is fantastic, I can't speak highly enough about them. But at the end of the day, he is better off at home with us. Yep, he needs some socialisation (especially as he has been used to going to daycare), so we start some more organised activities with him (he already does swimming, we will start music classes or something) and play groups.

Anyhoo, I personally think that if you need a bit of extra time to yourself, then maybe it is something you need to do, but I would make sure I was being realistic about my reasons for using childcare :)

[jocr]

In an ideal world I would love to be at home with my little girl all the time, however she has been attending a daycare centre for 3 days a week since she was 11 months old, when I returned to part time teaching. From my limited experience I think from about 15 months (when the babies move into the toddler room generally) is probably the perfect time to move into a childcare centre. I never thought that I would be an advocate for childcare, but Megan has experienced and done so many things at daycare which have benefited every aspect of her life. The childcare centre she attends is very routined, she does outside play, craft everyday, stories, and is able to have time interacting with the other children, which is fantastic given that we are not planning on No. 2 until next year. The only done side has been that she has sick with different bugs quite a bit over winter.

[Ffrenchknickers]

honestly believe that if you don't need to, children should not be in childcare

Agreed:yes: Especially as he is solittle and you have another baby on the way, Iwould kep him home with you.

Good luck!

[bambino]

oops! I meant to say 24 weeks. Anyway, thank you for your advice. :yelclap:

:confused:

You did say 24 weeks in your first post not 24 months.

Baby Brain:laughing:

[poshBecks]

I put Connor in for 1 day only when he was 2.5.... I will probably put Ella in when she is 2... Only because she desperately wants to stay when I drop Connor off....

I personally think 14 months is too young if you dont need to. JMO. :)

[sja]

I am 21 weeks pregnant and will be putting my 13 month old baby into daycare soon. I'm not too worried as I'm confident in the centre - my 2 other kids already go there. So DS will be going into daycare 1 day a week in a couple of weeks. I think he'll be okay because he seems to do well with being looked after by others. He's clingy at the moment but it's more like just wanting to be played with than wanting to be with me. He'll let anyone look after him and still is happy, so that reassures me. If he had a different personality, I'd be thinking twice about it though.

While I do think that kids are best being at home, I also think that my kids are better off being at daycare occasionally to give me a break and allow me to relax and get the house stuff done so that when they are at home I can be a better mother for it.

I think if you do it, don't leave it too much longer as then he may associate it with the new baby. But I think if you do it now, the baby is so far off he won't connect the two.

BTW, I personally decided to choose a bigger centre as I like the fact that parents are constantly coming and going, so the carers seem more accountable. Our centre doesn't need to know what time you drop off or pick up and any time of the day there are parents there.

[forbetoel]

I honestly believe that if you don't need to, children should not be in childcare.

:thumbsup: :yelclap: I agree! In a perfect world, all bubs would be home with their mummy.