For me it depends if they are part time or full time. For Full time, the first 3-5 days seem the hardest, and then it gets easier as they start to recognize the patterns of our day and they see that the other children are happy here and playing, etc...After two weeks they are usually pretty adjusted.
With part time, its much more work because of the breaks in between. Or maybe its the girls I have? One of them has been coming here for almost a year and still screams at the door sometimes at her parents leaving. But she is unique for sure. I personally think its because her parents have never reprimanded her for that behaviour so she just thinks its ok.
The second one too, seems to have attachment/departure issues though its been better but they haven't fully gone away. She doesn't scream anymore, but she does reach out her hands as they leave. Same problem I think. Both parents are just way too sweet and let them react in that way so they do. It makes me wonder whether its a girl thing? Maybe they are just more emotional in that way? With all the boys I've had it just takes about a week-two and then we're all good. They're happy to come here and life gets back to normal. Has anyone else noticed that difference?