How would you advise phasing baby into crèche?

[Arabella36]

Baby will be starting crèche when I return to work. how long before my return to work should I phase her into crèche? Baby is 11 months old.

The Creche should be able to advise. Our nursery did a 30 minute visit with me present but not involved with DD (filling in the paperwork) then 1 hour without me and then 1.5 hours. I also opted to leave her for a 1/2 day then some short days in the first few weeks. Our nursery have also done this as she has moved up rooms, but with her key worker present for the first visit.

Expect screaming when you first leave for a few weeks. Your creche should also be able to give you tips for this. I just kept it quick, always said goodbye so she didn't wonder where I had gone, and that I'd be back later then left with a big wave. Often she was chasing me to the door howling but nursery assured me it was always short lived. I'd seen her do this when her dad left so I knew it was.

Our nursery suggested a few sessions (starting with me & DS, then leaving him for 30 mins, then an hour, then half a day etc) spaced a week apart.

DS is a jolly fellow, so I didn't think he'd have any issues and he didn't.

Obv all children are different, but you will probably find that being 11 months will mean your DC doesn't really know what is going on. I left DS at 10 months and as I said he was fine, friends who returned to work when their DC were 13 months had all sorts of issues.

Good luck.

Thanks sausage and watersign