What is the minimum age for a child to go into childcare full time if both parents want to work?

Question

I mean to avoid stressing the child and making them homesick. Is 2 years old too young?

Answer 1

I personally think 2 is too young to be separated for a full day from a parent and to be put into such a structured atmosphere. I believe the children be come stressed and lets face it at 2 they still need alot of nurturing and how can this be done in a place where the caregiver ratio to children is far less.
But if this is because of economic reasons and your willing to put that ahead of you child's emotional growth then join the American way and work.
I would ask myself is there anyway that I can still give this child of mine the time they need to become a well adjusted (emotional) child and still bring in an income .If you find that you can do both things-like work opposite of your husbands shift or work from home, or have a nanny(another person to whom your child can come to feel like all of his needs are met with),then you,ve done a great job parenting,but if your putting something above your child's well being then you need to rethink.

Answer 2

No 2 years old is not too young AS LONG AS THE CHILD AND YOURSELF ARE READY. There is no point putting a child into childcare if neither of you are ready. As a childminder in the UK I have looked after children from the age of 10 weeks. You need to be happy with the child care setting and the more relaxed and confident you are about it the better your child will settle. Don't settle for the first place you find. Always go and look at, at least one more. Ask to stay and play, go at lunch times or other times of the day that might be awkward in a nursery. If they are still very accommodating then give them a gold star. Children will always play up especially in the first week as they get used to the place and the idea of not being around you. But as long as you exude happiness and confidence they will not get stressed very much and they won't be homesick because they will be enjoying themselves too much.

Answer 3

Some people put their kids in daycare full time at 6 weeks. I don't think 2 is a bad age. I put my kids in daycare when they were 2 and 4 and really the 4 year old had the hardest time. You just have to do what is right for your family. If you both have to work, then just look around and find the best daycare and don't feel bad about it. We needed to have health insurance more than we needed me to stay home full time. As long as you give your kids lots of love and attention when your home with them they will do fine. Also be excited about the daycare. Talk about how they will meet new friends etc. If you are nervous about it, the kids will pick up on that. Good luck.

Answer 4

Most will take children as young as 6wks. Honestly I would have suggested earlier than 2. They are more likely to miss being at home with mommy and daddy at the age of 2 than as an infant. At that point they are used to it and expect you to be there. Make sure you find a place that is willing to work through that hard screaming phase your child will most likely go through at the beginning. Go a few times and let your child play with the other kids for a short period of time. Slowly spend less and less time directly beside the child while you are there. Let the child get used to the surroundings, the other children, the teachers. It will make it easier on everyone involved.

Answer 5

Some children are put into full time childcare from birth. You have to try to work out if it is the right time for you and your child. Personally, I was lucky enough to be able to stay at home until my youngest was 5 years old, which was right for me and, I hope them. The thing is, you need to weigh up your circumstances but whatever you decide.........don't let others make you feel guilty about whatever decision you come to. Children are very adaptable and if the childcare is good and your home is happy there is no reason why, after initial adjustment, even at 2 years of age, it couldn't work well. Trust your instinct and judgement. There is no one size fits all to your question.

Answer 6

2 years old is great :-) I stayed home with my son until he was 2 1/2 and then started him in daycare. Believe it or not, it was easier for him to adjust than it was for me...he loved going to 'school' and seeing all the other kids(he is an only child). I think my daycare accepts children as young as 6 months, so your 2 year old should be just fine. I totally understand that sometimes it takes 2 incomes to support everyone, and also it's a good break for the parents to get back to work, you appreciate your time with your child more than ever and they learn independence..and they do know that mommy or daddy will always be back to get them after work :-)

Answer 7

i work as a registered childminder and in all honesty the best age depends upon the setting, the child and the parents. in my experince the best time for a child to come to a childminder is before 6 months. at this age they do not suffer from separation anxiety and therefore do not miss their parents too much and are also young enough to form a bond with the childminder. any later and the child is aware of being separated from their primary carers and will need time to adjust. this can be done very successfully but does very much depend upon the emotional development of the child and how well equipped the setting is to meeting the childs individual needs. good luck. hope it all goes well for you. would also recommend you to think long term when choosing a setting. will the creche accomodate your child when in part time nursey or take the child to and from school. not enough parents take this into consideration when looking for childcare so please do alot of research before making a decision.

Answer 8

I put my twin daughters in pre-school from 2 years old. They didn't have to be potty trained as the school did nappy changes etc. They even helped with toilet training them as they got more confident. They are 3 now and they love going to pre-school. They have come on leaps and bounds since attending and they are not as clingy. They sleep better too, the routine has done them the world of good. I never left them with anyone except family before they were 2. I'm happy that I made the choice to send them at that age and not earlier. You will be able to tell if your child is unhappy with their place of care. It may take them a week or so to settle with the carer but after that they will be ok.

Answer 9

I agree 100% with Moose. Why on earth would people have a child if they don't intend to raise it? Staying at home and caring for the child should be priority but too many folks think of £'s not people these days. Part time would be more acceptable if it is absolutely necessary for both parents to work. As some have said, childcare starts from 6 weeks in UK, but do consider the pleasures you'll miss out on, all the firsts in the childs life that are a gift to you all. I hope the parents will look for a reputable daycare centre, the local authority will be able to provide a list of registered nurseries etc.

Don't listen to all the television 'experts', training to receive a piece of paper after 4 years simply does not qualify anyone to tell parents to have their child raised in an institution.

Answer 10

6 weeks. I started my first at 12 weeks and my second at 8 weeks. It is costly but when you have to work you have to work. I believe that it has made both of my children a lot smarter. My son is 2 and can carry on a full conversation with me. I have several friends with 2 year olds that can not even talk yet. And, the daycare is potty training him as well.