Hi all,
I have a toddler who is 1.5years. He’s my only child and has attended nursery since he was 1. so I don’t have loads of experience with a child attending nursery. He is in the youngest class, and occasionally, towards the end of the day, his class is combined with the class above to allow some nursery staff to leave.
Yesterday, I rang the buzzer for his nursery room, but got no answer. So as another parent was walking out, I walked in. Immediately, I could hear my child crying loudly from the end of the corridor. When I peered through the glass door he was standing alone at a table at the back of the room, crying. He was very upset.
There were 4 carers in the room. Each of them sitting quietly on the floor with 2-3 toddlers, but my kid was the only one alone, crying, and they weren’t looking at him or showing any signs of concern. I watched through the glass as I took my shoes off to enter, I must have looked concerned because when a staff member spotted me, she looked around at which baby I was looking at, and then got up to console him. She passed me my child, and said ‘he just started crying when he saw you! I didn’t know why he started crying so suddenly! He must have seen you through the door!” but I know he’d already been crying. His designated carer then came in. (I really like her and have a good relationship with her). While she updated me on his day, I asked if he ever cries during the day and she said yes, if he hurts himself or wants attention, but he’s generally fine. I looked over and the two of the staff were eye-ing each other from across the room in a knowing way and quietly laughing. Then immediately stopped when they realised I was watching.
I don’t get to collect him often because of my work hours, but this is the second time I’ve seen this kind of thing - so I don’t know if it’s more frequent. The last time I felt concern was when he was 12months, and when I saw him through the window, he was sitting alone looking distressed while all other infants were with staff - again when his designated carer was not there.
He’s generally an easygoing kid and doesn’t kick off unless he’s upset. But a few things are running through my head now: Is he not being cared for properly? Are they ignoring him when upset? Is he not liked? Are they weirded out by me asking questions?
Am I being unreasonable to be concerned about this? Should I say something?
I’m generally happy with him going to nursery, but every now and again I feel pangs… Really open to hearing if you think there is something/nothing to be worried about, but please, I’m honestly feeling concerned and don’t want to be attacked in the answers if you disagree.
Thanks in advance.