Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward wrote:
I was all excited to get a spot at our neighbourhood daycare centre
for my 22-month old, who has been at home until now, but a naysayer
relative has made me wonder if I'm hurting my daughter more than doing
her good by putting her in daycare at this age, in winter, no less.

I know my daughter will benefit tremendously from being around other
children in a structured educational setting. She will be in a group
of 9 children, who are looked after by 2 teachers and one part-time
assistant.

I work full-time from home, and have a 9-month old here as well. He
will stay with me until he gets a spot at the daycare at 12 months.

The relative (whose neck I would love to wring right now) insists a
child should be kept at home until age 3.

I am doing this because I need to keep my job. Until now I had help
from my mother, but she leaves in a few days, after having been with
us for six months. Already a huge luxury!

What I'd love is to hear some positive stories, and if there's any
scientific backing to my relative's claims.


I was a bit worried about this at first, but I found my little boy loves
daycare. He was started at 13 months (now 24 months).

In fact I would say that if I did not have to work I would still send
him to daycare 2-3 days a week for the play and socialisation.

When you think about it, it is one big play group. In ancient times I
sure children played with each other. Being walled up in a big house
with one parent is a modern construct.

He used to be unhappy when I dropped him off in the morning but I used
have to chase him to catch him and take him home in the afternoon.

Now he runs to his carers and in the morning and in the afternoon and in
the afternoon I get an enthusiastic "Daddy !" and he runs to me and
gives me a big hug.

As for your relative - he is making the claims he should back them up.