My dd is soon to be 3 and 3 weeks ago, started one morning a week (2.5hrs) at the village preschool. We did a couple of taster sessions together and I was really pleased as she had a wonderful time, the staff were patient, warm, experienced and caring and there were lots of great things for the kids to play at and learn about - many local mums had been really keen to recommend it and all in all, it's a really fabulous place.
However, despite trotting happily off and playing enthusiastically all morning, when the children sit down for "circle time" 15 minutes before Mums and Dads and Grannies come to pick them up, my dd bursts into tears. She cries when I walk through the door and today, she was really weepy for about half an hour after I got her home. When you ask her, she'll tell you she loves playgroup and asks to go again, but I can't fathom her reaction to the end of the session.
Is she trying to tell me something? I guess she could be tired this time as she slept badly last night, but I'd be glad to hear from anybody else who has known a child to be upset this way and any suggestions as to how I can help her? It's heartbreaking to see her distressed and if she was like it at the start we'd take her out and try again later in the year, but she's really having a good time right until the end of the morning....?
Help!