DD crying all the way to pre-school

[kando]

I'd really appreciate some advice on this. For the past couple of weeks, dd1 (aged 4) has been telling me she doesn't want to go to preschool (she goes 4 times a week, 2.5 hours per session). I usually say "well, you can try it for a wee while and then we'll see" and that usually seems to do the trick. Once she gets there she's absolutely fine and has a good time. Last week and, particularly today, it's been tears at the thought of having to go. Today was really difficult for me - I know she has a good time when she gets there, but she was sobbing all the way there, and still sobbing when I left. She was really clingy today and really didn't want me to let her go.

I'm getting to the end of my tether with it - I can't work out if she's pushing me to see if I'll let her stay off school, or if there's something bothering her (which she won't tell me about). I've tried ignoring what she's saying and carrying on as if I haven't heard her saying she doesn't want to go, I've tried bribing her, I've tried being firm with her (to the point where I'm shouting at her ) I really don't know what to do about this. Is this just a normal 4-year-old "thing"? How do I handle it tomorrow?

Thanks for listening and for any advice!

[beachyhead]

is there anyone at the school who can re-confirm that she is happy when she gets there? Otherwise, its probably her realising that the wee while is going on a tad too long for her liking!!!! maybe when she finds a special friend there, it will change her mood...

[kando]

Thanks beachyhead. Yes, I've asked how she is after I've gone and her key-worker says she's fine, sometimes she has a few tears/wobbly lip, but most of the time she goes off and does something she likes. She's been going to the pre-school since last September, and before that she went to a nursery for two whole days a week, which is why I keep saying "it's only for a wee while". She's made a couple of friends at the school, and likes all the teachers too. I think I'll have a chat with the superviser today and see if she can shed any light on this.

It's so hard being a mummy sometimes! It makes me feel so awful the way I have to bribe/coax her into going to the school.

[HunkerMunker]

It may be she's worried about something in particular (using the toilet, not knowing where something is and having to ask for it, etc). Is she shy or is she happy to make it known she needs/wants something?

I was horribly shy when I was her age and got the oddest ideas into my head about people minding me asking things

Not sure of the best way to handle it, but just wanted to ask if this could be the problem?