Creche won't let me stay to settle dd in....

[imaginewittynamehere]

Am planning to take dd (19 months) .to the creche at our local swimming pool tomorrow so that I can start swimming again.

For her first session I had hoped to take her & stay a while to help her get used to a new environment & then leave her for perhaps 30 mins if she seemed ok. She has never been left in childcare before

The creche have said that I can't stay because of insurance requirements so they ar expecting me to drop her off in a new environment & just leave.

Is this normal? Tbh am thinking about cancelling the session although in all other ways this creche would be great.

[Pinkranger]

i think this is bizarre, any childcare setting should let a parent stay to settle in there child. At my Gym crèche they ask you to stay so they can see how you child is etc........ i am a childminder aswell and i insist on the parent settling them in BECAUSE of the change of environment! Have you spoke to the manger of the creche?

[imaginewittynamehere]

Thank-you I didn't think it seemed normal. It's a good idea to speak to the manager.

Does anyone know if it is true about insurance or are they talking rubbish?

[Pinkranger]

i cant see how that can be as how are they covered if parent drops child off, child wont let mum go, ends up staying 20 mins to calm child down

[mumof2fabkids]

Not usual practice, usually they have settling in periods, seems a bit cold hearted to me. Just a thought, but have you looked at their OFSTED report. Insurance bit sounds bogus to me, work in childcare and never heard of this before. Let us know how you get on and trust your instincts, they're usually right.

[Joash]

The majority of children who are upset when dropped off in childcare - only do it in front of the carer. Once he/she is out of sight, the child is usually fine. Can't you drop off and observe from somewhere discrete, just a few minutes? (to see if your DD settles).

[imaginewittynamehere]

Thanks for the replies - just had a look at the ofsted report online - was done in 2004 which seems a long time ago. It just says that it works with parents to meet the needs of the child - nothing more specific.

Am going this morning - will ask to speak with the manager & have a look at the creche before I decide wheter to leave her. Still very unsure though..

[BetteNoir]

If it is the first time you have ever left your child in childcare, I would find somewhere with a more welcoming and flexible attitude, tbh.

It is perfectly reasonable that you would want to stay to settle your DD.

The line about insurance requirements sounds very odd.

[UniversallyChallenged]

my 2 dcs 3 and 4 have been going to a preschool for a year, so know the routine. Am changing it for another one and the new one insists on 3 settling in periods even though i know the dcs will be fine. This is a really good idea for the mum/children/cares to see how things work.
Worries me if a place wants you to drop and leave the first time

[MrsBadger]

I think the 'insurance' line would be the risk people who aren't CRB checked (ie you) having access to other kids in the creche, which is a misapplication of the regulations.

[mumof2fabkids]

IWNH - did you go in today? How did you get on? How was your little one this time around?

[BITCAT]

This is not how childcare providers are supposed to behave and all sounds a bit odd to me..our creche always allows a parent to settle the child before they leave and infact most would insist on it..especially if the child is not used to being left with what is essentially a stranger to them! I would speak to whoever runs the creche.

[llareggub]

This sounds ridiculous. Surely all nurseries and childcare providers would prohibit settling-in sessions if it really were an insurance problem?

[imaginewittynamehere]

Hello all. All the advice here made me really confident, I knew that I could decide not to leave dd if I didn't feel happy & that would be the right thing to do.

Well after all my worry, there really was nothing to worry about..

I went in thinking I'll check it out & speak to the manager & then decide. As soon as we got through the door dd was off without a second glance . The manager was really nice & I think i could have stayed more than the 10 mins she allowed me but tbh as dd was not at all interested in me but in the other children & new toys it wasn't a problem - I left her for a full hour (going back after 30 mins - when again she handed me a ball & ran off to play!)

After the hour she was pleased to see me, but fairly reluctant to leave! We're going back on monday & I'm really happy with it. Once I've been going a bit longer I think I'll mention how off putting the secretary was on the phone as she may well be putting others off.

mumof2fabkids thanks for thinking of us

[mumof2fabkids]

Glad everything worked out (wink). Happy swimming!