To shorten toddler’s first few days in childcare?

[childcaresettling]

DD is 22 months and has just done her second settling in at the childminders’- first where I left. She is usually very confident but was sad when I said goodbye, as I expected, but then apparently kept remembering and asking for me, crying each time. She was very beside herself. She is due to start next week and it feels pretty mean just expecting her to do ten hour days when she struggled so much with just under 30 minutes. Would you shorten the days the first week? I’m wondering about maybe doing a few hours the first day, a half day the day after, and then on the second week starting properly. I don’t know whether this will help or hinder though. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience?

I would just take the plunge
a week will not make a difference
a good nursery will be used to dealing with this and will have plenty of distraction and fun activities

yes definitely. I started mine off in nursery a week or so before I went back to work so I could do those. I also only ever had them there for the shortest amount of time possible once I was working- the latest drop off and earliest pick up possible, depending on our working patterns. Ten hours will be a hell of a lot for a little dote to be left with a stranger off the bat.

Thank you, this is my thinking. I should’ve booked it off 🫠

It won’t hurt to do a few shorter days if you are able to. They usually start to settle once they are familiar with the staff and environment. A lot of parents do half days and build them up but not everyone is able to do this.

Yes ideally I’d gradually increase her sessions over the first week so something like:
Day 1 stay for an hour
Day 2 morning only home at lunchtime
Day 3 stay for lunch then home
Day 4 stay for afternoon nap then home
Day 5 full day

Yes absolutely I did this with my first two. Their first week was just staying there for an hour or so, the second week was staying until lunchtime. Then third week staying for a little after lunch and then 4th week was the full day.

Has she only done 2 30 minute settling sessions so far? If so yes I’d absolutely shorten it if you can

Yes I would, if it's not too difficult with your work.

My nursery had an indefinite settling period, meaning that they wouldn’t let DS attend a full day until they felt he’s doing well. First a couple of hours, when this works well a half-day, then a half-day plus nap, then until mid afternoon, and once that worked well he was allowed to stay the whole day.