I'd really appreciate tips on how to manage the end of my DD's childcare placement. At first her time there was very happy but as she got older, and I suspect a bit more challenging (toddlerish) she and her CM seemed not to like each other very much! The CM took babies on and my DD (by now about two and a half) seemed, to me (over protective mum) a bit pushed out. Anyway, my DD is leaving the placement now to start nursery. She is both very happy (everyday for the last nine months she has refused to go, and had to be peeled away from me) and really sad - I think she has felt rejected by the CM and her children who seem to be more interested in the babies.
Things have cooled a bit between me and the CM although we are of course civil. But I want to find a way to acknowledge the happy times DD had there, and the fact that she is moving on to something that hopefully she will like better.
What have others done when their DC have finished their placement? What do CMs do to celebrate a child moving on? My CM has suggested nothing (and in fact gave me notice, landing me in a tricky position, when I told her that I would give her two months notice at least), but that is by the by. My DD has been in her placement for over two years, and whilst it has not been ideal for her of late, it is all she knows apart from home.