Ideal age to start preschool/day care?

[Lilyloo]

DD is 18 months, and I'm a SAHM. I'm planning on putting her into preschool/day care eventually, but am wondering what the best age to do so would be?

What age to they gain the most from this sort of environment?

I was thinking closer to 3 years, and maybe 2-3 days a week?

What are your thoughts??

Thanks :)

[delirium]

It really depends on the child's maturity level. DD was 2.5 when she first went to day care, but she was quite grown up and spoke very well at that age. She cried sometimes when I dropped her off, but by the time I had closed the door and looked thru the glass she was off playing. She only went 1 day a week until this year, where she is going 2 days to preschool.

DS, however, is different. He is 19 months, and is extremely clingy and his speech no where near as good. I won't send him until he is 3. Steve Biddulph who wrote Raising Boys talks about leaving boys until about 3 bc they often don't have the communication and social skills and end up displaying behaviours like biting.

But every child is different. My experience is that girls handle it better than boys, but I'm sure others have boys that integrated well.

[Lilyloo]

Thanks :)... my DD sounds much like yours, her speech is quite advanced, and she seems fairly mature for her age, although she is very clingly, I certianly don't think she's ready just yet, maybe like your DD, in a year or so...

[lochiebearsmum]

After working in child care for 10 years i will not put my DS into day care until he starts C&K kindy.... at 18 months i dont feel they gain a lot... they are too young and what is taught at day care can be taught at home, at this age i believe it is just survival of the fittest.... the child staff ratios make it impossible for carers to provide adequate care and even supervision at this very busy age... i would hate the thought of my child being hurt and noone there to comfort him:no: When you pop your child into daycare just make sure she is old enough to tell you what is happening and trust your gut instinct! Personally i would definately wait until 3... for mow settle for playgroups etc!

[EmPowering]

well i dont work in childcare yet but have done a bit of work experience and from observing i think the 3 + age levels benefit alot more from kindy/preschool. thats the age they are starting to want to make friends etc, but it really dpeends on the child, i mean toddlers can benefit as much as a 5 year old can, but also some prep kids are fine without any kindy so it is all differant:):)

[princess niamh]

DD just started preschool at 4.5 ..she goes 3 days 9 - 3.

I woudl have sent her at 3 for 1 or 2 short days but it was more fun having her home.