One Day a Week… Really????

[Sugar Magnolia]

I started someone one day a week once. (wow that sentence has a lot of "one"in it: It quickly turned to two. Soon, 3. That child was full time in 4 months time.

[NightOwl]

I started someone one day a week once. (wow that sentence has a lot of "one"in it: It quickly turned to two. Soon, 3. That child was full time in 4 months time.

This has been my experience also. It never stays at one day for me.

[hhdc]

I have one dcb who comes once a week. He is 3 and has been enrolled for 18 months or so. He is with his grandmother the rest of the week. It took hime a few weeks for him to adjust. One week he threw up in my front hall before his mom left so she took him home. The next week he made himself spit up and then went to put his jacket and shoes on so he could leave.
After a few weeks he adjusted and now he asks to come and play.

[daycarediva]

I 100% agree AND, to add to that, think that they need to be dropped off and picked up close to the same time each day they attend so they can establish a routine.

I actually just told a potential client this. There was a 0% chance I was taking on her child, though, and I felt like she needed the truth for her poor grandchild's sake.

I had five one day/week kids for six months until I found one FT kid to fill the spot. All did it for socialization and so parents could get stuff done. I think most parents think the less daycare=the better, but I think if you're going to do daycare at all, it needs to be three days in a row per week for the kid to adjust, make friends, and come to really enjoy it. That's just my opinion.

I agree.

There are exceptions, of course. I have a very easy going kid that started here at 2 days/week. Never in daycare before, with grandma, and never once shed a tear. She now attends FT and I have to boot her out the door. ::

[Angelsj]

I have an EXTREMEMLY attached (to the stay at home dad) child that attends care one day a week for socialization.

It was tough going the first month but after that, we made baby steps everyday and now since starting in June, is doing awesome!

There were a lot of tears in the beginning but with a bit of reassurance and lots of consistency we crossed that bridge to security and all is well now.

DCD is considering adding a day now that he has had a taste of being "kid-free" one day a week.

Oh, and my DCK just turned 2 yrs old in June.

Agreed. I actually do this a lot due to my child care style. They learn to adjust. It can be a nightmare for a little while and I don't blame you if that isn't something you want to do, but it can be done.

[Cat Herder]

I have a one day a week, "socialization" kid here, too. I think it is a new trend. I don't mind as they are paying for a full time slot. I thought it was going to be rough but needed (for personal satisfaction, only) to give it a try.

I felt that if I could talk the talk, I needed to walk the walk and support a parent who spends as much time as possible with their own child. :: Yes, it was a challenge at first, but a couple months in (8 days attendance) it has been fun.

I find myself planning the most creative things for that day which leads to the other kids getting excited to see DCK coming up the drive. Poor kid is greeted like a hero, kindergarten is going to be such a letdown. ::::::

[NightOwl]

My 2 day kid just took my last full time spot. :-) That's the second time that's happened this year.