[Sunnycat]

My DS is nearly 14 months old he LOVES other kids.

I work 2 days a week and my parents look after him.

Unfortunately DS doesn't have many friends his age and I find it hard to catch up with people. We were going to play group but it is a bit too far away for us.

He has been on the wait list for day care for a year and they finally will have a spot for him in January. I'm not sure what day yet and if it will be on the days I work.

Do you think day care is a good for socialization or is he too young? I was thinking if he goes on a day that I have off he could go for a few hours and not a whole day.

[axiomae]

Go for it. I was a full time daycare child from 10 months (mum was a single mum and needed to work) and I only have very happy memories of daycare as a kid. If you LO loves others they'll probably love it!

[wickle pickle]

I think it sounds like a great idea. Both my kids started daycare just before they were 2 (so a bit older than yours) 2 mornings a week just for the socialisation etc.

It's probably even better if it's not on a day you work (at least initially) as that means if he really doesn't like it (or you don't like it either, for some reason) you can pull him out quite easily. And you will be able to get him settled in more easily if you're not having to drop and run to work...

I would definitely do it unless it is going to cost you a heap of money...

[cinnabubble]

I think good daycare is brilliant for kids. Mine have done two days a week since they were 14 and 22 months and I can't think of one negative about it.

People will tell you that kids don't "need" to be around other kids til they're at least three. Both of mine have absolutely adored having friends and peers around them and it helped them both, but especially the elder, realise that she wasn't the only person in the world.

[Madeline's Mum]

We just put H into Family Day Care for 2 half days for this exact reason. DH is still a stay at home dad but H needed other stimuli and other kids.

I feel really great about the decision, not really sad about it at all (like I originally felt when we first contemplated it at 5 months old).

[AvadaKedavra]

There is a lot of evidence on this. Day care kids are better socialized when they start school, but within 2 years of schooling there is no difference.

That's population level evidence. Only you know your individual child. If a child likes kids an are happy to be away from parents they will enjoy it. If they are by nature a bit more shy and childcare causes distress, then no need to push it (unless you need it for work) If it is non essential, then you can always pull him out.

The only points I would make though are:
1. Try for two days a week. Once a week distresses many kids as they are not there enough to really get used to it. For this reason some childcares won't take kids for one day a week.
2. Don't take him for just a few hours. Childcares have daily schedules and programs, he will settle in better and enjoy it more if he knows and is happy with their routine.

If you want him socialized for a few hours at 14 months, make the effort to take him to playgroup. At a couple hours once a week, your son will take forever to learn the childcare is fun and safe and honestly, will just get distressed, and you'll end up pullin him out under the misconception that he's not ready or something.

Kids need regularity and routine and these make them feel safe. A couple hours once a week is setting yourself up for failure.

[Sunnycat]

Play group is too hard to get to now that I don't have a car and it isn't at a very good time anymore so that's not something we can commit to every week.

I think he'll enjoy it as he likes crèche at the gym. I can't afford to send him 2 days unless I pick the days that I'm works but my parents want him on both days.

This day care centre is happy to have him for a few hours, they don't stick to any particular routine except for lunchtime which is why I chose this day care centre as they are happy to cater to the child's individual needs and copy the at home routine as much as possible.

[opethmum]

I sent my DD at 16 months as she was not getting enough of what she needed. That was socialisation. We sent her 2 days a week (due to the centre minimum days was 2 days) and she absolutely loved it. Sure it was daunting at first but seeing her relating to her peer group is priceless and shoring up little friendships she has is wonderful.


This post has been edited by opethmum: 30/11/2012, 06:05 PM

[Julie3Girls]

At that age, if I didn't have to do it for work, I probably wouldn't bother. I found "socialisation" was fine through playgroup and library story time. But I had those options.

If it was the only option, and I felt it necessary, I would do it for a full day, on my work day. Or if you really want to do short hours, let your parents pick him up. Your parents are still getting him for a full day, I don't think I'd want to give up another one of my days.

So I guess, I don't see it as neccessary, but it certainly won't hurt him either.

I'd also check out the ages of the other kids in the room on the day they are offering. Both in terms of deciding to do, and how long to send him. Most daycares run the nursery room (0-2) on the child's schedule. So the kids are napping at all different times. Not much point sending him for socialisation if he is only there for a couple of hours when the others are all napping. Or if the majority of the kids in the room are all much younger.

[Sunnycat]

Yeah I might send him for a whole day on one of my work days. My parents live an hour away from me so they won't be able to pick him up.

I'll see how he gets on.