Creche - DD settling then not settling?

[PatsyJ]

Help please - what would you do? DD has been going to creche for one morning/wk (2.5 hrs) since she was 13 mths (May). She went all thru May - mid July until the creche broke up for school holidays. She seemed to really enjoy it and never seemed to mind going - used to get v excited about going in fact and never seemed bothered when I went to collect her! The ladies looking after her were wonderful and she seemed to settle in well with them.

I don't work but have no family/help in the area so I use the time to get things done that I cannot get done when she is around and also to get a little 'me' time.

Today was her third time back since the hols. The first time I took her I was told that she had a new keyworker as they had all swopped groups (do this as policy every couple of terms so the kids don't get too used to one person etc). I am not keen on this lady as she is v quiet and doesn't really speak to you v much. I have been told (when I enquired from other mums, that in fact she is brilliant with the kids). DD settled the first day but was a bit apprehensive. When I went to collect her, her cream top was covered in red paint and her sleeve was wet, I was told by her KW that she had a bib on but still got in a mess and she "had not had time to change her" - no apology or anything. The top is ruined but wasn't a good one thankfully (I know they say not to send in good/new stuff but all the times before when she went she has never come home like that!). Last week when I took her she didn't seem v happy but didn't cry, when I collected her she seemed very happy to see me (which again is unusal for her). Today she cried when I left her I felt awful and now don't know what to do? I mentioned it to the supervisor and she said it's just a phase with her as she is so much older now (17 mth) so understands that I am going to leave her etc. She always seems such a happy, independent little girl normally....

Any ideas? Should I give it a bit longer? I just find it odd that she seemed to really like going before the holidays and now doesn't and in the back of my mind I wonder if it's the change in KW?

Bump

hiya PatsyJ I think that maybe you need to realise a few things then maybe you would understand why things may have changed a bit recently for you and your DD.
First let me explain i have worked in nurseries for 12 years, starting from nursery assistant working up to deputy manager before going on maternity leave. I worked mainly with under 2's I am now a mum to a 2.3 year old and stepmum to a 12 year old. I am also now a registered CM.
You say she was fine before the summer holidays and it worries you now that things have changed. First 6-7 weeks is a long long time in the mind of a young toddler and to go back after such a long break is like starting all over again for her. Second what the supervisor said is 100% correct her awareness of what is going on is so much more than before the summer surely you can see this in other situations? And thirdly I think that you are being a little precious about the paint on the top thing. To me as long as she wasnt grubby IYKWIM and it was just that mess from her having fun while she was there then it shouldnt be a bother. Though in your defense perhaps a apology along the lines of "Sorry i didnt have time to change her before you came" would have been nice from the nursery nurse.
Finally i would like to add that if you are going to send your DD to creche/pre school/nursery then you and your DD are going to come across all sorts of nursery nurses/assistants/teachers as long as they are great with the children that is all that should matter.
HTH

Thanks for taking the time to reply nzshar.

I think the point I was trying to make (obv badly!) was that a toddler left in a top with a wet sleeve is not really good enough - the paint didn't bother me so much as the 'attitude' to it. It wasn't just a little wet it was soaking and it had been like that for some time as they do messy play half way thru the session. As you say, an apology wouldn't have gone amiss - I am certainly not precious about it but I just expect some manners from the staff - this lady is a grown woman not a young girl and has children of her own. I mentioned it (and showed the top) to another Mum who has been taking her little boy there for over a year and she was also surprised. I mentioned this to the supervisor yesterday and she agreed that it shouldn't have been like that.

TBH I agree that these ladies are good with the children and that is the main thing but imo they also have to be good with the parents too! After all, they need to be able to explain how a child is doing etc and if they don't have the people skills to do that then maybe they are in the wrong jobs? My DD's last keyworker (and her colleague) were good at both and my DD (even now) is happy/excited when she sees them, I cannot say the same about the new KW.

I have noticed DD's awareness is changing as you say (and I do agree with the supervisor to an extent) but like I said in my message she has never been a child to get upset or 'look' out for me when playing etc so no, I hadn't noticed a difference in that respect. However, I appreciate that when you are there, even in the background, they know and therefore act differently.

I guess only time will tell to see if she settles.

Thanks again for taking the time