Switching Day cares?

Question

My Daughter is 15 months and I'm debating switching her daycare to one that is much closer to where I work. The pros would be that I would be able to spend much more time with her in the morning and evening. Also this daycare has much nicer facilities and a more structured day. She enjoys going to her daycare now, but they have not switched her out of the baby room, because a drop in enrollement. So she doesn't have much room to walk around or interact with older children.
Even though I know in the long run the pros are in the new daycare, is it going to have a negative effect on my child if I take her out of an environment she is comfortable in?

Answer 1

I am in the same kind of boat you are. I have a girl that just turned 1 and she loves the daycare she in in. However, just yesterday we heard that the daycare is shutting it's doors for good next month because the owner of the building sold it. They have nowhere else to go. So my little one will also be changing her daycare as well. I think it will be good in a way. it can get her used to change every once in a while. As long as you find a daycare that you are very comfortable with, and it sounds like you are, I think it will work out. Maybe the new daycare even has some suggestions? Good luck! I hope it works out for us too!

Answer 2

I had my son in a daycare that was similar to your old one. I moved him out of it into a new one where he was around kids his age and older. The fact that there were kids he could relate with and play with he didnt even bat an eye at the fact that he was at a new daycare. Also he progressed so fast that i was amazed how much a diffrence there could be by just being around kids his own age. I know all children are diffrent. But kids also know when a place and people are good and when they are bad.

It will benifit your daughter more if you put her in the new daycare. The fact that she will have more time with you will make it even better because she needs the bonding time with you. Give her three days in the new daycare and she will be perfectly fine. She might be happier with a more structured day too. Kids love routine it makes them comfortable and they know what to expect.

Good Luck

Answer 3

The only con I can see is possibly a small amount of separation anxiety and stress over getting along with new people in the new day care. Sounds like you have to make the transition for all the reasons you stated. What's worse, a little crying at drop off time or not getting enough stimulation and activity during the day? I would take the tears at drop off any day if I knew that it meant a better facility for my child in the long run. Plus, she is young enough that she should transition fairly easily, especially if she will be getting more time with you in the morning and when you get home in the evenings. Good luck.

Answer 4

The transition might be a bit stressful for a while, but children also have to accept change, so being exposed to it at an early age will help her later in life. She will learn how to interact with different people and if you are going to make the change, don't ponder to long because your daughter isn't getting any younger, change is accepted a lot better earlier in life.

Answer 5

This is a good question, but I think it'll be just like anything else...I mean..eventually, you'll be taking her out of daycare and putting her in preschool...then out of preschool and into kindergarten. I don't think it will affect her in a negative way...just treat it like a "graduation" of sorts and transition her into the next phase of her life.

Answer 6

I think you've already made up your mind. Switch. She'll get used to the new daycare just like she did this one. She'll make wonderful friends and she'll get to spend more time with mommy! Just do it! :)

Answer 7

Best to switch her now. We found with our son at 24 months, it was harder as he got more and more seperation anxiety. Plus the benefits sound like they outweigh leaving her there.