[Sail to the Moon]

I would have a friendly chat with the staff and just let them that they need to use all the formula in the dispenser and don't need to leave any in there.

With being rocked to sleep, you have to keep in mind that your baby will be sleeping in a cot room with several other babies & toddlers, so they need to settle your baby in a way that minimises disturbing the other babies who are already asleep or going to sleep themselves. For some babies, rocking them to sleep is a much quicker way to get them to sleep, instead of leaving them in their cot and patting them if they are unsettled. When he's more settled and knows the staff, then they can gradually start patting him in his cot and settling him that way. With the ratio being 1 staff member to 4 babies, paperwork to complete and lunch breaks, the staff's time is limited.

Also, remember that the staff are still getting to know your baby, so if you have any suggestions or tips (eg. what his tired signs are) then you can let them know. You've also got to trust them too, because it isn't unusual for a baby to have a different routine when they are at day care. The staff should be able to explain why things were done at different times (eg. maybe he refused his solids, so they tried them later).

[AvadaKedavra]

You have left your child in a different environment, in the care of different people. The same routines and methods you use at home won't work, and you can't expect them to adhere to it. They have multiple babies to take care of; all the babies will be put onto the same routine so they eat and sleep together (the younger ones just get more nap). FDC is no different, only a nanny will keep 'your' routine.

If you want to equalize routines, you are better to find out what their routine is and implement it at home, rather than the other way around. Besides, their needs change so rapidly you need to trust the carers to respond to their needs rather than just blindly follow a routine.

In terms of formula, just make up the bottles yourself.

[Mrs Manager]

My children have been in LDC since they were 12 weeks and 14 weeks respectively and I have found them to be excellent.

When DD (my oldest) first started I got a bit upset at times with routines being messed up, but it didn't take me long to respect the fact that if you just ask there is always a reason for it which 99% of the time I would have made the same choice had it been the case at home.

I also agree with everything Sail to the Moon said above.

Do talk to them about the formula, it seems very strange for them to have not used it all, unless it is a tiny bit that could be put down to not tapping it out properly as they're in a rush.

I much prefer LDC to family day care options, but it is key that you communicate with the staff as each baby has a different routine and set of likes and dislikes so they have a lot to keep track of.

[lynnemine]

You have left your child in a different environment, in the care of different people. The same routines and methods you use at home won't work, and you can't expect them to adhere to it. They have multiple babies to take care of; all the babies will be put onto the same routine so they eat and sleep together (the younger ones just get more nap). FDC is no different, only a nanny will keep 'your' routine.

If you want to equalize routines, you are better to find out what their routine is and implement it at home, rather than the other way around. Besides, their needs change so rapidly you need to trust the carers to respond to their needs rather than just blindly follow a routine.

In terms of formula, just make up the bottles yourself.

I was just coming to say all this. I agree - the routine won't work with other babies there too, they all need to sleep at the same time, or none will get any sleep. When we started daycare, I just found out their routine and changed home to be the same.

FWIW - mine slept and settled at daycare TOTALLY differently than at home.