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Daughter not settling in nursery!

7 replies

HR01 · 13/06/2025 15:44

Our daughter has just turned 11months and has been in nursery now for nearly 3 months and is still not settling at all, she cries during drop off, pick up and on and off all day! I'm at a loss of what to do, she plays independently at home, eats really well and is a happy, funny little girl but when she's there she doesn't eat, cries all day and doesn't want to be alone, she def has separation anxiety but I don't know how to help her, as I can't talk her through what's happening as she's so young still does anyone have any tips I think the nursery are almost getting fed up at this point...

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Namechangenoidea · 13/06/2025 20:49

This happened with us but it stopped when I changed nursery. He now loves going to his new nursery and doesn’t want to leave when I pick him up. His old nursery was awful, the amount of staff in his room was crazy (there was a lot of babies) and he just didn’t create strong enough bonds. Now he is with the same three women everyday and loves them. You need to look at the nursery.

BunnyRuddington · 14/06/2025 10:27

I agree, it sounds like trying her in a different setting or a with a CM would be worth a try Flowers

skkyelark · 14/06/2025 22:17

How often is she at nursery? Assuming she goes quite a bit, I'd also be inclined to look at different settings at this point – not all settings suit all children, and it sounds like this one doesn't work for her.

If she goes very part time, like one day a week or two consecutive mornings or similar, it may be that the gap between sessions is not working for her. From her perspective, it might not be part of her routine, but something of a surprise every time.

HR01 · 15/06/2025 20:32

Thank you all so much for your replies! Funny enough we are looking at moving her she had an hour settle at a different one 2 weeks ago and she was really upset for that hour, when I am there she is fine but when I leave she is really upset, I am hoping this new one will be better though, she does only go 2 days a week it's just so hard to know she is upset all day, I just wish I could tell help her but obviously she is too young to understand

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skkyelark · 15/06/2025 21:22

If you get a better feel from the new nursery, hopefully so will she and it will suit better! How stable is the staffing, and how big is the baby room? I know staffing is tricky in the childcare sector, but I'd be looking for a relatively small baby room and consistent staff so that the wee one can develop a good connection with a few consistent caregivers.

Are the two days back to back, or are they (or could they be) spaced out, like say Monday and Thursday, so it's less of a gap for her between nursery days?

HR01 · 16/06/2025 06:52

The room is smaller by far! Everyone just seems more experienced, she will be going Tuesdays and Thursdays

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skkyelark · 16/06/2025 10:52

That sounds very positive! Both of mine were tricky about separating from me (not helped by lockdown for my eldest!), but did settle at nursery after a difficult few weeks. I thought being able to develop those bonds made all the difference, together with staff who prioritised that as well and took it in their stride that a new starter needed lots of cuddles, might be tricky to get to sleep, etc.

Does your wee one have a teddy or comforter than she's attached to? I encouraged a bond to a cuddly toy for both of mine (held it between us when feeding them and when cuddling them to sleep), and they did both use it in the early months at nursery, although neither ever became super-attached.

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