3 year old Nursery sessions ...?

[faithfulbird]

Ok so my 3 year started half day nursery on Monday. She had two one hour sessions last week. She's happy to go in everyday. But she's had a cold since last Thursday and she's still recovering from it.

She's happy when I drop her off and pick her up and for the past 2 days she's come home telling me she cried in school because on day 1) boy banged her head and she thought mummy wasn't coming day 2) teacher didn't play with her and took the book off her ..but she got over it and it's normal for her to learn she needs to play by herself. It's a big change for her and I'm happy for her to go in so she develops.

Today on day 3 I told her teacher if she's irritated then give me a call because she's not slept well or ate breakfast due to her cold. Another teacher said let's try her for 1 hour today and then for a few weeks. It's because she's happy with circle time and everything else but it's just the independent free play she's struggling with. Part of me knows it's because she's an only child and likes playing with others. Also mainly because it's a new environment for her. She'll slowly learn to play alone as time passes by. She'll cry for a few days and then will get used to it. But if I send her for one hour she won't get a chance to learn. Plus when I drop her off and pick her up she's really happy.

I'm happy for her to try one hour today and tomorrow. But I want her to stay for the full 2.5 hours for Friday ( due to her having pe and a music lesson for the first time)and following on. Am I doing something wrong? If she really struggles then I'll do the one hour. Please tell me I'm not insane.

Could you call after an hour and see how she is getting along? If she is struggling go and pick her up but leave her there if she is happy

I could do but what's irritating me is she's decided that after one day. I know my friends daughter who goes for the full day cried for the full morning and she's still there. Is it because she pays for the other 2.5 hours? I felt like it was I can't deal with your child let's have her for half the time. I also realised that my daughter does play independently but because it's a new setting she's figuring out what to do. Plus with a cold since last Thursday, she's bound to be irritated and overwhelmed.

What have you decided? I agree - the teacher needs to be more understanding. It is hard enough for children to attend a new setting but even harder as for the last months we have been telling children to stay away from other people

Exactly and it's really unfair. I'm just taking it positively and will agree with the one hour because of COVID and I think the staff are lazy. I wasn't made aware of how long she was crying. She told me a teacher took a book of her and when she called her she went outside and ignored her. How horrible. She also bumped her head on the first day and my daughter was the one that told me. Should I inform them? I'll be happy with the one hour and let her settle. At first I was worried she'd be missing out but it's okay she'll catch up. I was even contemplating moving nurseries.

One of the staff was quite rude to a parents. She asked her does you son not talk much? And the mum was embarrassed and said not really and she went red...the lady said ohh I thought so...this coming from a staff member that is assistant head of the nursery...actually have seen her shouting at parents in front of their kids because they're wearing a jacket and not a coat...also told a mum...you need to teach your son to wear a coat...it's been 2 days for gods sake and that child is the youngest in the year..

i don’t know what you mean about her having to learn to play alone? Isn’t the whole point of nursery that the kids play with each other? If that is not happening naturally I’d expect the teachers to be encouraging them to play together.

She told me that the teacher told her to pick something and play with it. I don't think they're going near the kids because of COVID I'm not even sure but I'm not happy.

She's happy going in and coming out. But why is she upset at a certain time? It's just odd.

Sounds odd. Is it a private or school nursery?

They most certainly should be going near the children, Covid or not. Government guidelines for early years are very clear that you should NOT social distance between adults and children, or children and other children, in a setting.
The staff should try to keep away from each other, but not from the children.
Children in nursery should still get all the emotional and physical support they need to develop and thrive.
I'm a little unclear though. The staff member who said to do just 1 hour, was she in charge? Was it a suggestion or an instruction?
I think she needs time to settle, and 1 hour isn't enough. I'd leave her for the full session for a few days and see how she gets on.

Please ask for a copy of their full Covid policy. At that age the teachers should still be literally hands- on with the children. Covid is controlled by bubbles, hand washing and adults social distancing.

I doubt very much that children are told to play alone- it would be hard to keep them apart! As I said above, teachers should be helping them play together. The kids may be free to decide what to play ( and maybe some are happy playing alone) but there is unlikely to be any enforcement of playing alone. I know this as my son has recently been asked to sort of buddy up with a new boy in his nursery so he doesn’t get left out.