Is it bad if 2.5 year old to cry at daycare for next few years.

We have a 2.5 year old daughter that started daycare about a month ago. We believe that it is okay for her cry at the beginning. But where our opinion split, is that my wife believes that it is okay for her to cry at drop off every day for the next FEW YEARS. I believe there is something really wrong if that happens. If she is still crying even after 6 months or 10 months. I believe it could be an emotional instability or even maybe something wrong with the daycare. But we are both... passionate about our options. She says she knows people who's kids do that or read it online that it's normal.
Can some parents and professionals please provide some feedback? We need it.

1 Like 3 Replies

Raejean posted June 7, 2022

Some children are slow to warm up, plus she is still really young. Give her some time. I say if after 6 months she’s still not developing a connection to the team, you may want to look into other care centers. Hope this helps! 1 Like

Charise posted June 9, 2022

As a daycare provider, I talk to my new family’s about giving children about two weeks to adjust to the new environment and new friends. Yes it is normal for a child to cry at drop off and through the day but eventually that child should adapt if there is a regular schedule at daycare.
If not then maybe child doesn’t feel comfortable with the environment or depending on how many kids are in care. It can be overwhelming for them if there’s a lot of children or less.
I did have family’s that had to find other care because I have small license and child needed to be in a bigger environment. But never have I had a parent tell me the child didn’t care for me 😊 it just wasn’t a good fit! And I totally understand that. 1 Like

Lisa posted June 15, 2022

This is consider perfectly normal behavior and actions for a young child to display. Having separtion aniexty is a typical part of child development and are a sign of healthy attachment. It take one day to four weeks for adjustment depending on your childs temperament to adjust. 0 Likes