Making the transition to day care

Making the transition from caring for your child full time to moving him into a day care can be very difficult, both for you and your child. It is also difficult to know the optimal age at which to make the transition. Older children have stronger immune systems and are better able to handle being exposed to infections, but have more problems with separation anxiety. Younger children make the transition easier, but are more likely to catch upper respiratory infections and other illnesses.

Whenever you choose to start day care, you should try and make the transition gradually. It is especially important that younger children be slowly introduced to a new caregiver. If possible, visit the day care with your child for an hour or two at a time before you have to leave him alone there for the day.