I was always a cold turkey caregiver in the past and believed it was what was best for the child. However, the last 5 years I have changed and now impliment a settling in period. I fully admit some children walk into daycare like they own it BUT, there are other children who really need the settling in period. My settling in period is about 4 - 6 weeks long depending on what the parents wish. The first week is two Mommy and me visits for about an hour while we are at a park or out on a field trip. The second week is 2 mornings for an hour and a half, the third week is 5 mornings. The fourth week is a reduced full day, I have a late drop off and an early pick up which allows me time to devote to the parents without the business of pick up and drop off times. The final week is regular hours. Some parents prefer to have a week or two to get themselves ready before they go back to work, so this allows them that time as well.

As for fees, regular fees apply for all the weeks of the settling in period else than the Mommy and me visits.

Another reason I have the settling in period now is because I find more and more children are coming to daycare without being ready for daycare. More and more children at 12 months still haven't mastered self soothing, table foods, holding their own bottles/sippy cups, don't have a sleep routine, etc. By having a settling in period it allows time for the baby and I to get to know each other and gives me time to help parents with what they need to do to help their child have the best adjustment to daycare.