What is the adjustment time frame?
What are any signs of of not adjusting that I should look for at home?

The center we moved her to is a much more structured educational based one but it has all new faces and she's got nobody that is her safety net there yet....needless to say...there were tears shed by both daughter and mama this am!

This is a tough one, because all kids are different. Unfortunately, 20 months is a tough age, because she can't really verbalize yet, so you can't just talk to her about the new school, etc. I had one child who had only mild sepration anxiety for a couple months from 8-10 months of age. My second child cried on and off at drop-off for years--even when I knew she loved the school, teacher, etc.

It is not uncommon for kids to cry at drop-off, even at a program they love. The first week or so will be rough. In a week or so, I would discreetly ask the teacher if she settles down fairly rapidly or continues to be teary for some time. However, I would try to ask the teacher NOT in the presence of your daughter. Even though she's not quite 2, kids are more perceptive than you think and my second child's drop off tears were a sign of control--she knew it made me upset, so she kept it up. So, it's also best if you act happy when you drop her off in the morning. If she sees you crying, that just reinforces that she should cry to.

Her teachers are going to be the best resource for how she's doing. If it's a good program there should be some give and take, written journals or reports, etc. From 6 yrs of daycare/pre-school experience, dont' be afraid to ask the teachers/caregivers what is going on and how your daughter is adjusting.

Thanks....she actually did really cry yesterday am but they took her out of my arms so quickly that it was such a good distraction. i picked her up in the afternoon and she was all smiles. they said she had a great day!
today she didn't cry-they were good and again whizzed her out of my arms and quickly distracted her! love that technique!

Sounds like it's going to be great.

Yeah, the "fighter pilot swoop" is the absolute best--the teacher just scoops em up so fast, that the little ones don't even have time to work up a tear!

Even kids who have gone to day care since infancy will go through periods when they show real separation anxiety. It's a developmental thing and they get over it. My own child started day care at 5 months. He went through a rough time at 9 months and another at 18 months (same day care). He had no trouble in kindergarten (I cried; he didn't even wave), then completely broke down on the first day of first grade! So just because the tears stop, don't get too comfy; they may come back in a few months.