Am I worrying for nothing?

[Sistersister7]

DS has been going to CM twice a week since he was 1, twice a week (3 hrs one day and 6 the other) He's almost 3 now.
Since he can now hold a full conversation he tells me doesn't want to go/doesn't like going and is really upset and clingy going in. She send me pics 10 mins later and he is fine, and when picked up he is fine as well and says he's had a good day. There are other kids there of a similar age who he talks about, says he dropped them at school etc. CM is brilliant, excellent at communication, very flexible and I'm 98% sure he is well looked after but there is that tiny bit of doubt there due to him not wanting to go. He hasn't been there for a month now due to her hold and then ours, and I know he's going to be hysterical tomorrow.
DS can't explain why he doesn't like going (I've asked) and I don't want to put words in his mouth ie does she shout/hit you (he would say yes regardless, he's a toddler lol).
Am I worrying over nothing, or is this not right?

At your sons age some children do go through a "clingy" stage and just want to be with their mum. It's perfectly normal.

That said, I think you need to seriously consider: are you panicking because of his clinginess OR do you have a gut feeling that something is not quite right with the CM? If the latter - don't worry it's natural! If the former then you need to look to make alternative arrangements - trust your instincts.

It's normal, even school aged kids will be the same.

He doesn't go that much and for me as a Childminder, it's harder when they don't spend much time with me. I think you could up the hours and he'd be different.

From what you describe, it sounds like he just finds the particular moment of separation upsetting, and that’s what he worries about in advance.

That’s going to be painful for a mum and the nagging doubt is entirely normal. That said, a lot of mums find it’s far worse when they’re so happy in childcare that they cry about going home.

This is one of those things that’s just going to happen for a while. It can be hard to 'do nothing' but it would probably do more harm than good to start making changes. It’s the kind of situation they just have to learn to deal with. Probably better they learn that now than when they’re five, ten, or fifteen (?)

My DD cried every morning at Pre school and reception class at school, but had a lovely time once there.

My 3YO DS2 was like this about going to nursery every morning. Didn't want to go, getting upset about going. Second we got to the door he would run in and be happy as Larry with no issues. I think it is common.

As others have said, if he's only going a couple of days a week then it is probably harder for him to settle compared to if he was going every day.

Sounds to me like it snot where he's going as much as preferring being with you, pretty normal if he were desperate to leave on collection maybe think again but if he's happy and its just separation that's the issue I wouldn't panic. He really doesn't go for long does he leave you much the rest of the week?

@jannier he goes to my mums and MIL after CM, I work PT so is with myself and hubby rest of week.
He starts nursery next month and loved his induction day so hoping that's better!

I am a CM and have this quite often with some of the little ones, usually just a bit of seperation anxiety and always absolutely fine the minute their parents shut the door!

Could it be more about not knowing who is picking up at home time if sometimes its one then the other gran even if you tell him in the morning by the end of the day when he's tiered it may just not be you and home, perhaps setting up a when I leave this place I don't feel happy feeling rather than a not liking the place.