When to put your baby in childcare is a loaded question for any mum or dad, however, sometimes it’s a question that most new parents don’t even have the luxury of asking. The fact is, that maternity leave limitations, financial stress, postpartum anxiety, and exhaustion can all mean an early start to childcare is inevitable for your child.
Unfortunately, this loaded question has an equally loaded answer and, to be honest, the jury’s still out on the perfect age for starting daycare. Your child is a unique and precious gem, with unique developmental needs, quirks, and emotional attachments, which is part of what makes this question so difficult to answer.
So let’s begin, rather, with the worst age to put your child in daycare.
What is the worst age to start daycare?
While the exact worst age for daycare is still very much child-dependent, we can safely say that a too-late entry into daycare (kindy 3 to 4 years of age) could mean a much harder transition period for your child. The Queensland government offers a fully funded kindergarten program combined with low-cost long daycare so your child can start a quality kindergarten program much sooner.
An older toddler who’s accustomed to home time with mum and/or dad will feel the full weight of separation anxiety, coupled with the shock of a broken routine, plus a new set of faces, personalities, and social situations to navigate. If you’re trying to decide when to start your child in daycare, we’d say that sooner is better than later!
The good news is that the right daycare with the right educators (as well as a little know-how about how to settle your child into daycare) can go a long way, even if you need to enter your child into a three-year-old kindergarten program at the feisty age of 3-4 years.
Is 6-12 months too early to start your child in daycare?
Let’s face it, in 2022 and beyond, most families don’t have the financial means or option to choose a stay-at-home parenting approach and, even if they do, an early start to daycare still offers a host of impressive benefits that a baby just won’t have at home.
While the first 12 months of a baby’s life are essential to immune development, emotional bonding, and achieving milestones like crawling, walking, and talking, this doesn’t mean starting your child in daycare at 12, 6, or even 3 months is too early!
In fact, the diversity of new environments, new people, and even new bacteria will mean a healthier immune system for your child as they develop. Likewise, the stimulating environment of childcare, social interactions, bright scenery, and enriching activities will help your child to progress and reach those emotional, physical, social, and language milestones at an earlier age.
Last but not least, your daycare and the skilled carers who work there will be able to offer you valuable insight on whether your child is developing at a standard rate for their age group, or whether they are progressing too slowly or too fast!
All you need is the right daycare and a little preparation
As a parent, you want to feel that you’re doing the right thing for your child, we get it, you want to minimise separation anxiety and ensure a safe environment that offers warmth, stimulation, and room for real mental and motor development.
Choose the right daycare, with experienced and well-screened carers and teachers, a space that meets your safety expectations, and programs that offer opportunities for plenty of social and sensory engagement, plus loads of play-based educational fun!
After selecting the right daycare for your child, set them up for an easy transition into daycare by reading our article entitled ‘How to Settle Your New Child into Daycare.’
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google,
and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
Many people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers! Escape roomy lista
I like this weblog it’s a master piece! Glad I discovered
this on google..
With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any ways to help stop content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Good write-up, I¦m normal visitor of one¦s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I don’t usually comment but I gotta say regards for the post on this perfect one : D.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So nice to seek out anyone with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s wanted on the internet, someone with somewhat originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
I real lucky to find this website on bing, just what I was searching for : D as well saved to favorites.
Hey, you used to write great, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Real clear site, regards for this post.
You are my aspiration, I possess few web logs and occasionally run out from to post .
I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I truly appreciate your work, Great post.
May I just say what a comfort to find someone who really knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you’re not more popular since you definitely have the gift.
Just wanna tell that this is very useful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
Very nice post. I absolutely love this site. Continue the good work!
You made some decent points there. I checked on the internet for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people in this particular subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
That is a really good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read post.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you need to write more on this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t discuss these topics. To the next! Many thanks.
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after going through many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly.
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something relating to this.
I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your information. This article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
Great site you have here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
Very good information. Lucky me I discovered your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve book marked it for later.
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I’ll send this post to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a great read. Thank you for sharing!
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was doing a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your website.
I’m very pleased to find this page. I want to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to check out new information in your site.
Nice post. I be taught something more difficult on different blogs everyday. It is going to always be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and practice somewhat one thing from their store. I’d desire to use some with the content material on my weblog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a hyperlink in your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They are very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for starters. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something which helped me. Thank you.
Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
This is the right webpage for everyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject which has been written about for ages. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t join it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
You are so interesting! I do not think I’ve truly read anything like that before. So great to find someone with some unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.
You’re so cool! I do not think I’ve read a single thing like this before. So good to discover somebody with unique thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality.
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Kudos.