DD Starting Toddler Program (Sorta)

[Valkyrie9]

Because our regular caregiver is going on vacation next week, Freya is starting the Montessori toddler program at the school (the good one) I posted about a few weeks ago. She's going to go to the morning session through lunch, then I'll pick her up and either bring her back to my office or work from home in the afternoons.

The thing is...I'm wondering if maybe I should just bite the bullet and switch her over to full time now? I know she's going to have transition issues going from in-home care to Montessori (or anyplace different). But our caregiver is going to be done watching her in August anyway. Would I be doing DD a favor by just having her go through this rough spot now, rather than doing it partway now and all the way in August?

Maybe this isn't even a question for the Montessori board...but your opinions are most welcome.

[nkm1968]

Well if your in-home caregiver is available until August, what would be the ramifications of adding an hour per week?? Like she"s going 3 hours per day now, then for the next 8 weeks adding 45 minutes to an hour, so she is gradually getting used to a full day in a large group setting, with the familiarity of the nanny?

Of course, I myself could not do this due to the cost, and my own youngest went from home day care (with five morning Montessori toddler from 9:30 to 11:30) to a summer with a 17 year old sitter, to full time Montessori in the fall (and continuing). It was stressful but very manageable, she did fine except for some bedtime protests, a few tearful mornings, but now at age 5 is thriving.

[Valkyrie9]

Yeah, that would be wonderful, but it would be cost-prohibitive for us. I pay the CG (it's in her home, across the street from us) $25/day, regardless of the number of hours. So it would effectively double my child-care costs to transition like that. Though it would be ideal...

I think we're just going to tough this next week out, continue with the CG, and then make the switch cold turkey in August.