2 year old didn't enjoy first day of pre-school

[Emj86]

Hello,

Just looking for abit of advice really on what i can do to help ds settle at pre-school, he is 2y3m and since 9 months old he has been cared for by grandparents whilst i work which has worked really well for us.

However i have had to change my days at work so me and oh decided to put him in pre-school for one day a week.

The one i chose is quite small and the staff were all great, he really enjoyed his initial visit so we signed up for him to start this week, we were not advised to have any break in sessions so yesterday was his first real session there.

Ds went straight in when i dropped him off and although he did try to follow me out there were no tears, i then got a call from pre-school at lunch asking if i could collect him as he wasn't settling so i went to collect him, when i got there he was sat eating lunch with the other children but burst in to tears when he saw me!

His keyworker said he didn't cry constantly but got upset between activities and wasn't easy to console, they were quite busy with the childrens lunches so i couldn't have a proper chat about it, i asked if i should bring him for a morning session only next week to see how he goes and they agreed.

I feel quite anxious about it all, he's usually so confident and loves other kids so im shocked he was so upset, im aware that going once a week won't help him settle so wondered if he started with two morning sessions and then go to one full day session?

Luckily i had the day off yesterday as i wouldn't be able to leave work if they called me to collect him everytime he was upset so this is also making me worried.

Any advice on what i can do to help the situation and do you think he will eventually settle?

I did wonder if a childminder would have been better but they seem to be all full around here!

Thanks in advance

How experienced are the nursery workers? Because it sounds perfectly normal to me, and they should have done more to settle him.
But they could have been concerned that he was going down with something.

Why did you choose this nursery?

I would though not do one full day session a week, more would be highly preferable. Because one session once a week is too long between sessions, a whole week is like a month or more, and it would probably take much longer to settle in. Almost like starting all over, every time.

I just wanted to drop in to say both of mine did this. I had to collect ds as the pre-school phoned to say "they thought he had got as much as he could out of the day". They were both very tearful for about 2-3 weeks and then it stopped. If it helps, they are now 10 and 12 and well adjusted and happy members of the school community!

Its really horrible for you. I had to go and park round the corner and have a little weep. But trust the pre-school - they have seen this a million times and are really good at settling them down. Ds used to have a bit of a wail, they comforted him, but also did not make that much of a fuss of him and just got on with everything else and ds quickly learned that the sand and water tray was much more fun than crying on your own.

Hi,

The staff seem to be experienced, his key worker has over 20 years.

I chose the pre school mainly because it isn't overcrowded and the children get alot of one to one, i also had a 'good' feeling if you know what i mean.

The plan was for him to go two days a week from November, i just wanted to give him time to settle first rather than just throwing him in on two days, i was suprised they called me because i thought they would be used to it especially on their first day, i just wish they had spoke to me about it more especially as they are the professionals and know alot more than i do about settling in etc.

I see what you mean about once a week not being enough, i think i might ask if he can do two half sessions next week and see if that helps, he is really fussy about where he naps so i suspect tiredness may have played a part.

Thank you SonorousBip that is a relief to hear, i also had abit of a cry in the car! :)