DD, nearly 2, "doesn't like nursery" (in her own words)

[GColdtimer]

She is fine when she is there, has a lovely day. But, in the morning when we are getting ready to go, she has a complete breakdown with "don't like it", "G not going", "don't like, X, X, X" (names of staff and other children!).

This morning she said she was tired and wanted to back to her bed (she has never done that) so she is in her cot at the moment whilst I post on here. (I can't believe a 2 year old can use a delaying tactic like that!)

I don't want to avoid telling her where we are going before we get in the car but it is heartbreaking to see her so upset.

She only goes one day a week and the other two days I work she is with grandparents.

Any tips on how to handle it.

[PollyLogos]

I think that one day a week is too infrequent at this age. Any chance that her grandparents could have her three days a week? Then maybe once she gets a bit older 3+ maybe she could go to the nursery three days a week?

[GColdtimer]

Not really, we are stretching it the the moment. The thing is she is absolutely fine when she gets there. It is just the palaver in the morning.

Having said that......I went to get her out of her cot and she said "go to nursery now" and was hurrying me out of the door. Didn't give me a backward glance when I dropped her off.

Contrary Mary.

[cmotdibbler]

One day a week is really hard for them - I often see this with the children in DS's class that aren't there that much. Any chance of upping the hours at nursery ?

[arthursmum]

Hi twofalls, I am in exactly the same situation as you, DS is two and a half and is with grandma 2 days and nursery 1 day. We actually moved him out of his original nursery after a while because they seemed to have a problem with him being attached to one particular member of staff. In his new nursery he is still having a few teething problems but is settling in much better. When we talked about his old nursery all he would say was 'nursery bye bye!' and would get quite distressed. I also think he was perfectly capable of winding us up to an unbelievable degree then was fine once he got there. One morning he forced himself to throw up and we had to bring him straight home again! Little sod. Sorry if this is not much help, but I really empathise with your situation and I certainly can't afford to send him any more often than one day a week at the moment. The lovely staff at the new nursery have said coming one day a week will mean he will probably take longer to settle, but they all get used to it in the end. All the very best of luck with it.

[Rolypole]

Has she always not liked it? I think they go through phases on not wanting to go in the morning, but as long as she's happy while she's there it's probably ok? Good luck

[Scoobi6]

could you put her in 3 mornings, and get gps to look after her in the afternoons? Might help her settle if she is there little and often

[GColdtimer]

thanks for your replies. we can't really change our arrangements at the moment (it is all finely tuned!), although having said that, if she was really unhappy when she was there I certainly would have to consider it. The nursery staff are really surprised when I tell them what a fuss she makes as she is so happy when she is there, never fusses about leaving me and when I pick her up she walks around telling me everything she did that day and gives all the staff hugs bye bye. She sleeps well and eats well.

I am sure you are all right, because she only goes 1 day a week she has to get her head around it all over again every week.

But as I said, yesterday, after a bit of chill out time in her cot she ASKED to go so part of me thinks she is being a bit of a drama queen about it to upset me

Thanks for the empathy arthursmum, glad your ds is more settled.