Help! DD is desperately unhappy, why?

[CirclesAndSquares]

DD is at a nursery she has attended since she was seven months old, she liked baby room (0-2) absolutely adored toddler room (2-3) and moved to the preschool room four months ago (3-5).

Since then she has become more and more miserable, her behaviour has gone downhill and she is refusing to eat and is always saying she is tired. Today it all came to a head when I dropped her off, she sobbed and sobbed and couldn't tell me why. The room she has just joined has a lower ratio of staff and although children have a keyworker they are hands off and there aren't as many hugs, theres more sitting and group activities and having recently viewed some schools it is quite similar to reception.

My thoughts are that she might be unwell so I've booked a GP appt, and I'm also considering taking her out for a weeks complete rest and low key activities at home. She is now 3.3y and she also has a baby sibling almost six months - I am also wondering if this unhappiness is delayed reaction to baby arriving.

I don't particularly parent in any one style but I lean more towards AP than GF, and trust my instincts and my instinct has been telling me my child is very very unhappy - now I need to do something to help her.

Any words of advice or encouragement? Anyone been through something similar? Might she be better in a childminder setting rather than a busy nursery? Her language isn't good enough to tell me why she is so unhappy.

(also posted in the childminders topic)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Agree with every point you have made and think its a good idea to get her checked at the GP too.

If the toddler room is to age 3, why is she in the preschool room? Do they get a sleep in the afternoons here she is now?

[JuliaScurr]

[youngminds.org]

very helpful for me and friends

[bamboostalks]

It is easier if you keep to one thread.

[CirclesAndSquares]

Ah - yes sorry that didn't make sense, the toddler room is from 2nd birthday until 3rd birthday. They are encouraged to sleep but she won't

Will check that link - thank you

[JuliaScurr]

www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents

[JuliaScurr]

just an afterthought - what's stopping her sleeping?

[CirclesAndSquares]

I have no idea she just won't. She still sleeps for between 1.5-2hrs days that she is at home.

[milkwasabadchoice]

My dd is in the pre school room but is on the young side - not yet three - just the way it happened when we moved house. She is suddenly exposed to a lot of older children and is trying to her to grips with the whole "who is friends with who" thing. I think she finds it really confusing and daunting. I just wonder if your dd might be finding the social side hard? It's the kind of thing she might not be able to put into words.
It's just a thought. I am so sorry she is unhappy.

[CirclesAndSquares]

bamboostalks I appreciate that but wanted perspective from childminders and from parents

milkwasabadchoice that does sound like DD, have your nursery given you any suggestions as to how to improve things?

[CirclesAndSquares]

update

I took DD to the GP last week on Friday, he suggested kindly that she was exhausted and backed my plan to take her out for a week.

I've also been jn touch with some childminders and will look at exploring other childcare options.

Thanks for the help