Greeeting children on arrival

[minorpanic]

Hello! I was just wondering what your nursery staff were like when you dropped off your children in the morning? We have just started at a new nursery which overall I like, but I do have a worry about the attitude of the staff when I bring my DD in, in the morning. My DD always has a bit of a cry when I drop her. At her previous nursery, which was very big, her key worker was lovely and would give her a big hug and wave at the window with her, and I know she'd sort of hold her hand until my DD felt better (which was usually quite soon after I left I think)! But at this nursery, nobody sort of comes forward to give her a hug and I often find myself looking around a bit desperately, wanting to hand my DD over to someone showing a bit of warmth and comfort, and it doesn't really happen. In other respects, I like the nursery, and my DD seems happy when I pick her up. It's very early days as well, only her second week. Overall, although the nursery is much smaller than her previous nursery, the staff don't seem quite as nurturing.

What should I do? Not worry for now and see how it goes over the next few weeks? Mention it to someone at the nursery? Thanks in advance!

[Pootles2010]

Hm. Ours is a lot more like your previous nursery. Ds is v good so far, no tear at drop off, but i've seen others being dropped off and offered lots of comfort.

Could you take it up with them? I certainly would.

[minorpanic]

Hi Pootles. I think I will mention it to them. I don't think it's too much to ask that somebody comes forward and shows her a bit of love and attention. Yesterday when I arrived her designated key worker did nothing, and then followed me out of the door as I left saying that she had to do paper work. I do understand that that sort of admin needs to be done, but I don't think it should be put before the needs of the child in a particular moment.

[Pootles2010]

That is quite bad minor, may I ask if there's no way she could go back to old nursery?

[minorpanic]

No, unfortunately. We've moved house, hence the change of nursery, we would never have left otherwise. The old one is an hour away in London traffic, not at all doable. It was a brilliant nursery with lovely staff, and it was a real wrench to leave it. I was surprised by how upset I was when we left, let alone the kids! I was very nervous about moving but was comforted knowing that this new one has a good reputation locally. I am wary of writing it off by comparison with our old nursery, but am concerned that the staff just don't seem as prepared to give the kids a cuddle etc when they need it, and just don't seem quite as engaged with them. To feel comfortable at nursery my DD needs to feel a strong attachment with at least one key worker and I am concerned about their likelihood of reciprocating. Anyway, sorry to rant on about this.

[LynetteScavo]

I know exactly what you mean, as I had this problem with DD at nursery. It was a lovely nursery in every other way.

At them time I would go up to a member of staff, and actually "deliver" DD. It wasn't always her key worker, as she would sometimes be doing paper work in the office. (I'm wondering if it's the same nursery, , lol!) With hindsight I wish I'd spoken to them about it directly at the time.