To pull my 2 year old out of nursery?

I'd persist. Nursery was brilliant for my 2 at this age, they learnt so much socially and did lots of activities I couldn't possibly have done at home.

It's up to you of course, but I think you can likely expect the same if you wait too. My son had the same reaction to starting nursery at 3, it took two weeks for the tears to stop. My three weeks he was running in ahead of us and barely stopping to say goodbye.

On the other hand I noticed a child of a SAHM I knew who never went to nursery until three struggle to cope with it as she had never been away from her mother. It isn't a guarantee that being three makes it easier.

I'd take him out tbh. I think 2 and a bit is too young.

I was a SAHM til both mine went to school. In the term before they started at the schools nursery, I put them in a local church playgroup for 2 mornings a week 9.30 til 11.30am to get them used to being away from me...they never had been until then.

They were both over 3 by then and had no issues at all. They settled in well and no tears.

If he is speech delayed nursery might be good for him then.

He isn't too young. Just because your child couldn't cope doesn't mean OP's son won't if given time.

'But OP you do not need childcare. So do not put your child through this.'

Well said. Your 2 year old absolutely doesn't need to be in nursery. Carry on with the groups as you have been

Kids need time to settle at nursery, and the less frequently they go the more time it will take. I know it’s upsetting but what you’re describing, with him only having been there 3 times total and only 2 sessions on his own is very normal. It seems really pointless to have started him if you’re not willing to at least give the settling a proper go. He might not be any better if he starts at 3 either. DS has a nursery friend who was AWFUL at settling. He already had 2 friends in the class who had been at his previous setting (but it closed so needed to move), a sibling starting reception on the same site and he was awful, screaming the place down, mum had to come back early for 2 weeks even attending every day. But then something clicked and he loves it now. Some kids skip in without a second thought whatever their age. Some kids need time to settle. I wouldn’t quit without at least giving it a proper try. And I personally think nursery is great for 2YOs- it’s the age where the benefits really start in terms of socialisation and behaviour.

My DD just started a nursery (she is almost 3) 2 mornings a week and she loves it. Has he just turned 2? What's his comprehension like?

With my daughter we talked a lot about what's going to happen and I'm not kidding you she was happy almost immediately, I left after 20 minutes day 1, day 2 I had to ask her for a kiss goodbye because she was running to go back in.

I know people will say it's normal and it is in our society, to leave our children upset I mean, but for me, if he doesn't have to go I certainly wouldn't be making him and i 1000% wouldn't want him crying for a long time. I wouldn't even want him going to a nursery where they would allow that without calling me immediately.

If it were me I might try a couple more sessions with me there, do some more talking with him, but if he isn't happy with you leaving I'd take him out and try again when he is a little older.

One of the reasons I started sending my DD to nursery is because she reached an age where she really wanted to play with other children, if your son at that stage?

I disagree with an above poster that nursery doesn’t benefit 2 year olds. It hugely benefited my 2 year old. He’s now doing great things at 3 like phonics and pencil grip.

I have also heard that minimal sessions on separate days means longer to settle in.

Take him out for a bit if you feel it’s the right thing to do, but also have a think about how long the wait list will be if you want to send him back again at some point, as I believe most nursery wait lists are around a year.

He's quite young. If you don't need the childcare, take him out and try again in 6 months. If you do, I'd try doing 3 mornings and make them consecutive rather than spread across the week. But it will likely take 2 weeks at least. Crying is normal but doesn't mean he won't get used to it and get to like it. Although having said that I believe most children would rather be home with mum before about 3. (No judgement as I had to send mine from age 1). Has he been left with other adults before? Leaving him with familiar adults is a good idea if you can, grandma or family friends, just for short periods, you could do that to prepare him if you're going to take him out and try again.

Mine took a few months of short settling in sessions with lots of tears before she started to enjoy it.

I agree. Its not until about 3/3,5 they really benefit - unless they can not get enough attention at home. Before then it is childcare.

But OP you do not need childcare. So do not put your child through this.

It took my 14 month old DC at the time around 6 weeks to settle (crying upon arrival and pick up). Loves going now, and when I say, 'let's go see the babies', runs to the door to get ready. I would stick it out.

My daughter started nursery at a similar age. She was very shy generally and it took her a long time to settle in. She did 2 sessions of 9 til 3 every week.
It was quite hard to drop her off and see her upset. I'd regularly stay a bit to settle her first but quickly realised it wasn't making things better. Sometimes leaving swiftly without a long goodbuy was better. It went on for a looooong time! But her nursery was lovely (and also small) and the staff really tried hard to make her feel comfortable and in the end she loved it there.
....but I also didnt have much choice as I had to go to work not long after she started and a childminder did wraparound childcare on my long days at work after the first 3 months.

I agree with you, if you wait till age 3 things are usually much easier as children understand the concept of you leaving / coming back by explanation. For younger dc they learn this though experience which for some is traumatic

I work with this age group and its normal to be upset at the start, its heartbreaking for the parents but a lot of it isn't really upset, its just overwhelmed at the new place. We had 3 new kids last week, 1 cried the first 4 mornings then settled, another was only in for 3 mornings and he cried for 2 days, then settled on Wednesday but cried again this morning. Its really normal but usually short term. When I say they 'cried' it was on and off, especially when they are not engaged in something. They might cry during free play time, stop to do some art, cry for a minute then enjoy songs or stories, chat during snack time then have a little cry again and be happy again going to playground. Its very rare that a child would cry all morning.

Its up to you, if you are not enjoying your free time out of guilt then maybe you should take him back out. But if it were me I'd leave him for a few more weeks until he gets used to it, I think its good for them. Also when he starts full time you will have already gone through the settling in stage.

Are you paying for it? I don't think I would pay for it if it's not needed and it's making everyone sad. But, if it's funded why not try. Since he has been alone with you it's great that he is sticking with one member of staff. His attachment to you is strong and he will make another attachment with them then begin to feel confident in that setting as he does at toddler groups with you. It is great that he has a strong attachment with you and you wouldn't want it to be another way, his reaction is normal and healthy.

I think the issue is 2 days at nursery and 5 at home. It's unsettling for him, rather than nursery itself being unsettling?

Maybe we just have an exceptionally good nursery (although I doubt this is unusual) but both my children have benefited hugely from nursery at that age.