My ds (21) months has recently started nursery (2 days p/w), he's going into 3rd week. When I arrived to pick up today I overheard them in the garden before they could see me. My DS was crying, and shouting 'Mummy' in quite a distressed & angry way. His key worker said in a strict voice, 'you're fine Gabriel. You're happy. We're playing with the ball, you send back the ball'. Then he briefly stopped crying, then started again & she said his name pretty sternly, and repeated 'you're fine!' What do others think of this approach? I have to admit I have a very soft and gentle approach, because that's just me, and it was a shock for me to hear this, but I don't think a firm approach is necessarily bad. Just not sure what to think about this. The key worker said when he was unsettled going down for his nap she stroked his hair and he went to sleep, so it sounds like she can be comforting. My DS seems to like her, though is still getting upset sometimes. They say overall he's making progress and is doing well despite ups and downs. I'd be really interested to hear what anyone who has worked in a nursery thinks to the stern approach when a child is crying. I do get that they need to minimise crying for the other kids' sake, too, and don't have the resources to be constantly consoling a child, but would really like some opinions. It's all so new. Thanks x