Mums whose younger DC started nursery this year - how's it going?

[user242526]

Hi,

I'm just intrigued to know how people's experiences of their child starting nursery are going?

My DD (10m) started nursery (part time) and I'm considering pulling her out, wondering how it's going for everyone else?

Thanks

Mine started beginning of September at just over 13 months.

First month was brutal he screamed every morning. Last two weeks he holds his hands out for his key worker and doesn't even register me leaving - which also makes me feel sad, even though I'm happy his happy going in.

Illnesses though, his been ill since he started. Probably only done 2-3 weeks of full time (for us that is three days a week). I have an older child in year 1 and they are circulating the bugs between them. Finding it very stressful with work.

@Emsie1987 aww bless him.

The whole reason I'm thinking to pull her out is because of how ill she's been. I know children get ill regardless of when they start nursery but my DD has CMPA.

My DD has been throwing up on and off since 2.5 weeks and I thought oh it's just a part of going to nursery etc but I've gone back to work now (when she first started I was taking AL to be present whilst she's settling in) and I feel as though all I do is spend the rest of the week trying to recover from her illnesses - again I know this may be the case whenever she starts but...

My daughter has dropped to the 9th centile from the 25th and I asked the nursery to keep an eye on her eating as doctor said following the vomiting episodes (wasn't a gastro bug even though they initially thought it was) to get her weighed every week and if she doesn't gain weight he'll have to refer her to Paediatrics.

So... on Monday I explained this to her key person and she said they'd make more of an effort with her food.

Both days (Mon&Tues) when I went to collect her I was told she ate most of her food, had quite a bit of milk and enjoyed it all.

She was sick again today (just one episode today) however, when I asked nursery for a diary to rule out other allergens the manager said that she'll let me know tomorrow after speaking to her key person but my DD hasn't been eating much this week and despite then encouraging her to eat, she didn't eat an awful lot. I feel as though I've been lied to, why has one person said that she did eat and the manager is saying she didn't each much. If the manager is unsure she should say I'll get the key person to ring you but her saying my DD didn't eat much and the KP saying she did makes me feel as though one of them is lying?

I don't know if I'm overthinking but I've worked at a nursery before and I do know staff can lie about how much a child has eaten. However, it's wrong because if a child is losing weight and not eating, mum needs to know to report back to the GP.

Prior to this all she LOVED her food.

I would set up a meeting with the manager to explain properly and maybe get a note from the doctors. It's a medical issue not an over anxious mum issue.

Give them a week to put something in place and if they are still not providing enough information try and find another nursery or childminder.

We have an app at our nursery which tells me when they do their nappies, when they sleep how long for, what they are eating and then it's described how much by saying all, most, none. What I don't know is what the portion size is.

Illnesses are really crap at first and also we are in the season of everyone catching something. However, it does get better. My eldest was really ill every week to the point of going to hospital every six weeks. How immune system is fantastic now. So it does help them eventually but it feels really tough at the time.

@Emsie1987 this nursery doesn't provide an app (well they do for invoices but not for updates). They just give you verbal updates in person upon collection. When I emailed the manager she said going forwards they can write down what she had BUT I just want consistency - I don't want two different people telling me two different things because regardless of if it's written down it'll make me wonder what the truth actually is?

I've been trying to ride it out with the illnesses but I just feel so drained after going back to work and I don't have much help so it's making me consider whether or not I made the right choice - I know she could get ill whenever I send her to nursery regardless of the age, but sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice as I actually put her in nursery to allow me to mentally have a break and it's done quite the opposite of that... maybe I just need to ride it out... not sure

I totally get your concerns re CPMA etc but all I can say regarding the general illnesses is just try and ride it out. We had the same when both DDs started nursery and me and DH also used to catch whatever they got. But things got a lot better. The first winter for each was the hardest.

Many times we’ve also discussed pulling them out and me giving up work as found the juggling hard and we also don’t have family help, but we just rode it out and I’m really glad we did. As hard as it is, don’t make any major decisions after a tough day or week. I know it’s been longer than that but hopefully the worst of it will pass soon.

DD started nursery in September aged 2. She seems to be quite robust and settled in without any tears (she knew most of the staff and kids as she used to attend a linked playgroup). It's mornings only so she doesn't eat lunch there, so feeding hasn't been an issue.

Illnesses have been no worse than usual, no D&V but she's had a cold, but we're advised not to keep them home for that. She did potty training in July and hasn't had any accidents at nursery, but as it's mornings only so she'll usually not need the loo for that length of time anyway.