My experience: During the year that DD was 1, we were in Canada and they had these free drop-in centers for children 0-5, with a caregiver. DD had just turned 1 and as we started, there was a lot of interaction of me and her. They had different stations, like they do in a preschool. Play-doh, library, paints, puzzles, gym stuff, legos, sand table. And at 10:00 am, they had a circle time. By the end of the year, I was more talking with other moms and watching and intervening when sharing issue or boo-boo came up. So when we moved back to NYC, I enrolled her in a 5 day a week play-preschool. She was in a 2s class and separation took about a week for her, about a month for me. But she loved it. DD is highly social and likes interactive play. She liked the schedule and having friends she could count on seeing every day. When she turned 3, she went to a Montessori, where she is now. 5 days a week, 9-3:30. It is great for me. But she really likes going. And the school works for her and her curiousity. And she has a BFF, though I try and push playdates with others.
The separation was really hard for me. But it was the best decision for DD. I needed the time and she needed the interaction. Maybe because I was always around the first two years, but she is very independent and never shows separation problems now. She skips to school and is very excited to see her friends and join in. But it is her personality.
Good luck.
Ren
