Daycare - Full Time or Part-Time

Hi everyone,

My little one has a spot in daycare starting in February. I was originally thinking of sending him part-time at the beginning, but I’m not sure if that’s the best decision since he may struggle with the constant change in routine.
What were your experiences with sending your babies to daycare part vs full time?

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Hi there :) my daughter just started daycare in mid October on a part time basis and ended up going full time in end of November. I can only speak on our experience but my daughter really struggled adjusting and in hindsight, I do believe it is because we extended the progressive start. If you are going to start your son, part-time, maybe do so in a shorter period of time. For my next kids, however, I will start them off full time right away. Rip the bandaid. It will be harder in the beginning but hopefully quicker to adjust. :) best of luck in this new chapter! Not easy on the child, but especially hard on the mom.

I personally think pt or ft they will develop a consist routine with either as you’d be sending him on set days weekly if it were part-time. I have my daughter on lists for ft initially but I personally think I will opt and send for pt in the fall as I will have lost of vacation time to use so sending her for pt care as many bonuses where I am saving on ft care and also can still spend and enjoy time with her the days throughout the week I am home on vacation while she still will go to daycare for learning routine, playing with others, sharing and all the other interactions and experiences for personal growth. I think it’s key to choose what is best for your family and your home/work life to have a good balance.

My friend sent her kid part time because she only needed part time and since it was consistent (every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) it worked well for them. We will be sending ours part time as my inlaws will watch her 3 days a week.

at what age? My son started at 12 months and it has been a struggle. He is in an infant class

yes that’s the nice part about pt it’s same assigned days in the week only downfall is if you want or need ft care they told me I will have to wait until a spot opens up which 6-7M later I will need ft after I’ve exhausted all my vacation time I don’t want to pay for ft and only send pt for the first 6 months that would be silly and waste of money

@Natalie totally understandable! We are sending our youngest to daycare part time for a few months then see what happens as we are transferring again in 2 months and hopefully have baby by end of year!

hehe, nice! I am hoping with returning to work in the fall that I will only need my daughter in care up until I have another baby which god willing I am hoping for following my return to work so hopefully it all works out I go back to work and work up until another mat leave starts lol

@Natalie yes! My mat leave is up in July and hoping for a November baby 😅

We do part time. Dad has him Mondays, Great grandma has him Tuesdays and he has daycare the rest of the week. He does really well with it. I think its just about consistency of a schedule and your preference. We did this to save some money as well as give him one on one time with family he wouldn't normally get otherwise

hehe~ aww very nice!! Best of luck🌸I see I’m not the only one trying to go back to work pregnant lollll or shortly after. I also see from your profile you suffered 7 losses my gosh! That’s a lot of heartache but so happy for you for your rainbow baby girl

Mine started at 10 and a half months

Daycare teacher here. I second the mommies here, consistency is really important. My suggestion is if you decide to do part-time, send your LO on consecutive days. It also depends on your LO’s temperament and personality. 😊

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