Settling in periods

[artifarti]

Hi there. My DS will be starting part-time (3 days p/w) with a CM in late July, when he will be 11 months old. I wondered what kind of settling in periods people usually do - how much earlier, how many days etc. He's a bit of a mummy's boy at the moment and I want to make the transition as smooth as possible!

See what your CM recommends. She may want you to stay with him a couple of times, or do a 2 hour slot, then a half day and gradually extend, or something else. You should be able to agree something between you that keeps you both happy (and your DS of course). Just remember he may cry, or cling to you when you leave, but still have a lovely time playing with the CM. The CM should be honest with you about how he is feeling.

I think we had a 2 hr slot, then a half day.

talk to your childminder.

i had a baby start and i spread it over 6 weeks. just an hour to start with, with mum there and we built it up.

E has been with me for over a year now and settled well

It depends on the child how much settling in time there is. It starts from an hour with mum and me... then an hour sans mum with me... then extends at a rate mum and I agree on, depending on how the child is settling... there is no set recipe

jenni is right there is no set recipe!

Make sure you have a 4 week os so settling in period before your full contract starts. If she turns out to not be as good as you hoped/expected then you can get out of the contract with no notice (as can she of course if she doesn't gel with your child/your child doesn't settle with her)

I would advise settling in your baby weeks before starting work if possible

This is a settling in I did recently for a baby wanting 3 days a week:

Monday 19th January Visit with Mum
Tuesday 20th January Visit with Mum (afternoon?)
Wednesday 21st January Visit with Mum ? stay for lunch?

Monday 26th January 9:00-11:00
Tuesday 27th January 9:00-11:00
Wednesday 28th January 9:00-11:00

Monday 2nd February 9:00-11:00
Tuesday 3rd February 9:00-12:00
Wednesday 4th February 9:00-13:00

Monday 9th February 9:00-13:00
Tuesday 10th February 9:00-14:00
Wednesday 11th February 9:00-15:00

Wednesday 18th February 9:00-15:00
Thursday 19th February 9:00-16:00
Friday 20th February 9:00-17:00

I am lucky that I don't need to charge - but think very strongly about how you go about settling in - even if it costs a bit

I would also remember that late July is school holiday time, and your childminder could have school aged children around for more of the day-in that case I would advise early settling in before the holidays while she is quieter.