Bright dd does not want to join in at nursery

[BoftheP]

Dd is bright (so says nursery teacher, not just me!) but requires constant adult input in activities. She finds it hard to decide which activity to do next when given the choice at nursery and finds it difficult to join in free play with other kids. She has a younger sister so spends a lot of time making up games at home with her sister and is mostly free to choose what to play (although would prob watch cbeebies is all day to allowed to do so)

Recently she has realised that if she tells the nursery teacher she is feeling unwell she may get sent home. This has become a pattern which I talked to nursery about today. She just doesn't seem to want to be there.

How can I encourage her to join in and try to enjoy herself?

It does sound that she's not entirely loving it there, but that could be normal. What did the member of staff say?

Nursery just told me they have to take her word for it when she says she's feeling unwell. I can see their point. Lunchtime is often the trigger. She has often complained about not liking lunchtimes at nursery but not really being able to tell me or nursery exactly why.

Maybe she just isn't ready for a nursery environment? Dies she have to go or would it be an option to take her out for a while?

How old is she?

Did they say anymore on how they are dealing with her not enjoying free play?

The nursery need to put some strategies in place to help her such as organising small group play with her. Just her and one other child. Then after a week or so two children. They need to facilitate little fun turn taking games with other children such as tipping water , putting sand in a bucket. At circle time sit her near an adult and to the edge of the group so she is not swamped. Have a carpet square which is hers to sit on so she has her space. They could make a visual diary of what's going to happen. Eg picture of play , snack play circle time and home. That way the children understand what is happening. It's used a lot in reception classes as well. The nursery need to tell you what they are going to do.
You keep doing what your doing and support and encourage her. Perhaps invite a mum and child from the nursery for an afternoon to get her used to one of the kids.
Good luck. She will be fine.

Those are very good strategies Charlotte. I don't know anything about childcare really but if my DC were having problems in nursery I would expect the staff to be coming up with strategies like those or I'd be asking myself why they weren't