The Best Age to Enroll Your Child in a Childcare Program | Daycare Transition Tips for Parents

In this video, I share the ideal age to enroll your child to avoid separation anxiety based on my observations of hundreds of children over the years.
If you want to receive the best insider daycare and preschool tips from a childcare provider's perspective, like and subscribe to my channel, The Daycare Guide. With over 20 years of experience in both early childhood teacher and director roles, I'm sharing insight and the realities of childcare and preschool - the good, the bad, and the ugly - so your family's childcare experience can be fantastic.
Feel free to leave any questions in the comments. Hope these tips are helpful and good luck!
#baby #separationanxiety #childcaretips #childcare #daycaretips #daycare #parentingtips #parenting #thedaycareguide #daycaretransitiontips

[@AnuRadha-tc4zb]

I totally agree, I used to work in a nursery and I observed that children who came very early (4-6 months) almost didn’t have stress, didn’t cry. The hardest was for 2 yo and after. The earlier the easier it’s for them! If I didn’t see it with my eye I wouldn’t believe and thought it’s cruel

[@thedaycareguide]

@@AnuRadha-tc4zb Very well articulated...this is exactly my point. I guess it's a "see it to believe it" 😅. It does sound bad in theory but in practice baby is low-stress and happy for the most part!

[@Tm-gg2mz]

They just get used to detaching from their parent which has long term negative consequences such as anxiety, depression, narcissism, bipolar ect. It is insane to me that that, in this day and age, with all the research we have, anyone would suggest enrolling a child earlier as it is a known thing that the earlier a child is in daycare, the worst they are long term including behavioral issues and continuing into other emotional issues in adulthood.

[@ofentsentshabele4362]

2 months is crazy😢

[@thedaycareguide]

Yeahhhh not many are comfortable with it. And honestly some caregivers feel uncomfortable when they start that young! Most often it's actually teachers' babies that start that young because they're there with them. But even so, 2-3 months there's basically no transition. It's definitely the easiest for them and teachers. (Can't be easy for parents, though!)

[@Account17544]

My daughter is 18 m. o. And in a month she had to go to daycare, I so worry about that 😢

[@thedaycareguide]

Aww. Yes it might be a tough transition, but most children get adjusted in a few weeks. I hope it goes well!

[@Account17544]

@@thedaycareguide thanks)

[@stephanieheintzman163]

Hi! Do you have any videos about helping babies (12+months) transition to daycare as they care currently crying the entire time there?

[@Colibrilibra]

4 years old is when children separate from mother in a healthy safe way with no trauma.

[@thedaycareguide]

When parents aren't able to stay home with them til 4 yrs and have to enroll them in childcare, when they start younger, it's all they remember and most are very well adjusted and happy, as long as it's a good and loving caregiver. ❤️

[@Tm-gg2mz]

​@@thedaycareguideit's good to know the negative effects of daycare because it is damaging for children. Daycare is not the only option for parents who need to work and it's important that parents realize that daycare is literally the worst option for a kid in terms of childcare. It should be an absolute last resort and be pushed off as long as possible for a child. Small home based babysitting groups, family member watching a child, nanny or shared nanny ect are some other options which are waaaay better for a child Telling parents their kid will be okay and that's it better for their baby to put them in daycare is inaccurate and damaging. It's best to give parents the truth that yes, daycare is damaging and to look into other options. I've never met someone who understands the reality of daycare who was unable to find a better childcare option.

[@thedaycareguide]

@Tm-gg2mz So a small home based "babysitting group" is ok...but a family home "daycare" is not? What's the difference?

[@samirakaximi6338]

My baby of 18 m is starting. First 2x where fine, he enjoyed even witout me but then he started crying and wont let me go. So the last 3x i stayed there with him..when i just go away for few steps he start to cry now..dont know what to do..should i be there until he adapts or does he has to cry a couple of times while i just leave him allone?

[@thedaycareguide]

@@samirakaximi6338 kzbin.infothexj73CYCM?si=P776An2pN2APW8gT

[@thedaycareguide]

@@samirakaximi6338 kzbin.infou-DAz8HAa04?si=j64fKUQejKnWr6bl

[@thedaycareguide]

@@samirakaximi6338 Hi 👋🏼 I replied with a couple shorts on this topic. Generally, a quicker drop off and consistent routine helps them adjust faster and cry less. They WILL cry initially. But when parents linger, it just prolongs the anxiety and they end up still crying, sometimes even longer. It like builds a false hope you might stay/they might leave. It's definitely counter intuitive 😩😩 so uncomfortable leaving your crying child. But we usually find that a quick hug, kiss, I love you, "I'll be back to pick you up after naptime" etc. is best and helps them adjusts the quickest. Hang in there!

[@donnatate6327]

Do Not put your child in childcare at young ages, they can't tell you about their day. Wait until they are 4 years old and even then not full days they will be stuck behind walls for the rest of their lives. I have seen some horror stories in my over 50 years of childcaring as a preschool teacher as well as as a nanny.

[@thedaycareguide]

Some parents are limited on options. Suggesting things like only places with cameras or open door policy are ways to reassure parents. I've seen horror stories too. But all or nothing statements can make moms feel hopeless and defeated.