AIBU to change nurseries again?

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DD (just turned 3) started nursery in May after just over 2.5 years of me as a SAHP. She's a sensitive child and takes a while to warm up in unfamiliar situations.

The first nursery she really struggled with, after a pretty brutal settling in period she just wasn't settling at all, she was absolutely distraught about going and very upset and withdrawn while there. We made the decision to change nurseries as we also had concerns about other issues such as food, outdoor play and the staff not being attentive.

She started a new nursery in July and gradually seemed to be settling in or perhaps tolerated the new one. For the last month she's become very emotional going to and during her time there (3 X 5hr days per week) I've just found out that 6 members of staff are leaving in the next few weeks including her key worker, the manager and established staff who have been there for years. I understand nurseries often have a high staff turnaround but this is approx 50% of staff

Alarm bells are ringing but I don't want to cause a huge amount of upheaval again only for it to follow a similar pattern and I feel clouded as to whether this is just my DDs sensitive disposition or we just haven't found the right place for her. In most other ways I'm very happy with how the nursery is currently run. So I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been through similar or any practitioners who could offer advice

Have you spoken to the other parents? Asked if they have any idea why so many staff are leaving? I'd be reticent about changing again OP.

My DD was EXACTLY like yours. Everything you say, could have been my DD.

I'd be tempted to stay put....school isn't that far off.

No, I haven't managed to speak to other parents yet, I don't get much opportunity but I'll try and harass a couple this week.

If it was just the sudden staff turnover or the fact DD seems to be taking time to adjust I'd be more optimistic but both together is making me uneasy. We have 2 years of nursery / preschool as she's a Sep baby.

BillHaders I'm crossing my fingers you can tell me your DD adjusted and now skips excitedly into nursery / school of a morning

Yes absolutely. To be frank, it took DD1 until about year 4...but she was selectively mute and that impacted her a lot. My younger DD also hated leaving me but was much easier to settle and by year reception she was fine. The odd 'I want to stay with you" but not daily.

They're 15 and 11 now...both doing fine!

How will moving her help?

I'd be worried to in that situation - 6 staff members is an awful lot especially if its everyone she's bonded with. Do you need her to be in nursery, or could she be at home with you until she's old enough for school nursery?

I used to work in a nursery and also have a 3 year old. Children who have spent this large amount of time at home with mum take a lot longer to settle than children who have started earlier. It's just something you've got to work through. How long does it take her to settle after you've dropped her off? Is she perfectly fine after this and for the rest of the day? If your generally happy with the nursery it would be a mistake to keep moving her around.

You could always consider a childminder, much more home from home environment and only one person to form an attachment with, rather than several. She might be better with only a couple of other children, in a house. Obviously both have their advantages, but most childminders do accept funding.

Ive left the nursery my DD was in due to almost all the staff leaving, the new staff coming in weren't all the knowledgeable nor trained. I looked for a nursery that had staff there for many years as they will have more experience than those just starting. Ive found one and DD will start that nursery soon :)