Hold the phone? She wants to come 5 days next week and stay all day with the child?

First off -- that is ridonkulous if she means that
and secondly --how is that transitioning? How will that help the child?

I am totally against transitioning with the parent present. I think that does the contrary. How can a child get used to being independent/self-sufficient in your dayhome with a mother being there the first few times??

When I transition I recommend to the parents that the week before they start regular care - the mom drops the child off 2 hours day 1, then a couple of days later the child comes and stays for a half day (leaves at nap) and then day 3 stays 3/4 of a day including a nap and leaving after nap.

That way the child entered slowly and alone for 2 hours, 4 hours, 6.5 hours and can then be better prepared and more comfortable facing a 8-10 hour day the following week.

Of course some parents choose not to do any transitioning and ask me just to start the child cold turkey. That is way more challenging but I have done that. I have NEVER allowed a parent to confuse a child and had the parent come. The child will be more likely to expect the parent there once they do start which could mean worse separation anxiety.