most children are pretty adaptable and a quality daycare setting should be appealing to him pretty early on (nurturing adults; interesting activities; engaging peers for play). . phasing it in part-time may be a good idea but if that is not possible then not to worry. trying to identify an ideal time is almost academic. . realistically although we want to protect our children from preventable major emotional traumas there is no reason to think that placement in a different quality daycare will be a major trauma for him. as for mild anxiety with the unfamiliar i suspect your son will quickly adapt with no adverse long-term consequences.
what is the best age to introduce or switch to a new day care setting for my child who is 11 months old?