CMs - Mindees 1st day at nursery

[looneytune]

Quick question. Have you ever taken a mindee to a new nursery for the first time and if so, were they really shy and upset? I have one mindee is very shy in new groups and I'm expecting their first time at nursery to be quite scary for them. I think it's me who's doing the drop off for the first time but I also have 2 more 2 yr olds with me so can't stay too long either as I need to rush back for their naps so we can get up in time to collect later. I'm hoping that the fact another mindee is starting on the same day (their mum dropping that first time) will help but I can't be sure. Part of me wonders if she'll be upset that the other ones mum is taking time to take that mindee but this one has to settle for me (which would be fine if I didn't have a couple of others to think about as she's very very settled with me - been with me since 8 wks old).

Any advice? I've told mum that I'll be unable to hang around too long as the other 2 could run off plus I need to think about naps etc. They were fine with this, I'm just trying to prepare myself for what it might be like leaving mindee that first day.

I think you may be surprised.
As long as mum has taken time to explain about you leaving her. Maybe sharing a story a out the first dY at nursery, she'll probably be fine.
Children usually play up for parents more than childminders

Meant to add that I've been through this before and this mindee was terribly withdrawn for some weeks at pre-school. Took AGES for her to speak or anything. She wasn't there that long and it's nursery she's starting now. The good thing is it's attached to the school she's been hanging around in since she was a tiny baby so at least it's familiar. Just worry about dumping her their and her being all withdrawn again on that first day. Fingers crossed she will surprise me though :)

Dumping her there

I have in my policies that I will not take children to their first day at pre-school/nursery/school, because I feel they need 1:1 attention and I can't give that when I have other children in my care. If they were to get upset (and I agree they are more likely to play up with their parents there), then how can I help them while I am looking after 2 or 3 other children at the same time. I cannot even take them into the classroom if I have a pushchair with me.

Cheers HSMM, think I'll add that to my policies. Tbh, I've not had this before as all others have wanted to do it themselves for their first day. I have absolutely no problem in physically doing it, I just cannot give the level of attention they would get from their parent. For this reason, I have arranged to start at 9.30am on my ds1's first day back as he moves to the juniors and has a new teacher etc. Having lots of toddlers with me would be unfair as I wouldn't be able to settle him in properly (luckily I only had 1 due to start at 8am that day anyway and they are very flexible so it wasn't a problem). It's taken me 5 years to realise that these odd bits of 1:1 for my son are important (always used to put work first and had to let him just get on with it) and it's once a year tops.

Oh well, I'll go and add that in my policies and just hope mindee isn't too upset/withdrawn at drop off (it's only because I care and don't like seeing them so upset)

I've even taken the first day of Secondary School off for DD (that's for me though, not her).