DS (2.5)'s best friend about to leave nursery for good; what can I do to make him understand and accept that he won't be seeing her much (if at all), any more?

[FiveBells]

My DS (2.5) has been at a wonderful nursery for about a year and a half, and has made "best friends" with a little girl there, of the same age. She is terrific and they both play together very well etc. He talks about her all the time (he also talks about others, but she is his bestie). I have learned today that she is leaving at the end of next month and probably wont be back. I have never met her parents as she is always there when we do the drop off and pick up, but I know they live about a half hour drive away from us. The mum is going on mat. leave so will be tied up with a newborn soon. I am feeling a bit sad about this, but as my DH says its just the first time DS will have a friend that moves on, and its part of life (which I know, of course). How do you think we should prepare him for it, if at all? It may be water off a ducks back, but then again, if we don't talk about it at all, he could have a lot of unanswered questions and feel sad that his friend is no longer around and not know why. I am probably being very PFB about this , but I do want to do the right thing. The only thing I've come up with is to leave a drawing/card in her pigeonhole with my number on it and a brief note to the little girl's parents, suggesting a playdate or something. Any other ideas?

I actually doubt it will affect him at all. My daughter has 2 best friends in nursery - they have been together since they were babies, and play all the time. Infact, one of the boy's names was the only word she would repeat constantly at home! Anyway, one of them left for about 2 months when they were about 2.5 as his mother found a job in another town, and my daughter hardly noticed. She never questioned where he had gone - although I noticed. When I used to ask her where "x" had gone, she would look at me and shrug and then run off.

At that age they arent really emotionally attached with other children - like lunch times or tea times in nursery are much a group thing - so no one is ever left alone. I am sure he will be fine, and quickly fill the gap with another little friend.
There's no harm in asking for play dates - I am sure the parents will like for their daughter to have a familiar face play with her at home as she settles in her new nursery.

Hi
I work in a nursery and would suggest that at this age these friendships are very transient, and often kept going by parents or staff. Unless you know for certain that you want to meet up with the mum and be friends, i wouldnt bother making a play date etc. At your son's age I dont think you need to do much in the way of preparation, apart from maybe mention it on the child's last day so he can say bye. And on his first day back, just remind him that the child wont be there, but suggest a toy or a child he could play with, and make it sound fun.

Honestly don't worry. DS2 is 3.5 and all of his "friends" left for school in september. then the only remaining one left in january. he still mentions them occasionally but has simply moved on to play with others. I was worried like you but it really hasn't been a problem at all. Last week someone asked him who his best friend was and he rattled off the list of those who have left nursery but didn't seem bothered about the fact that they are not actually there anymore. He'll be fine

thanks for all the responses - its making me feel a little easier! Of course, I am projecting - I hate it when good mates move away :( . I am comforted by the fact that he seems to have quite a few friends there, so I guess he won't be lonely. I don't remember any of MY friends before the age of about 5, so I am sure I wasn't scarred for life when I left preschool !