Hi, I am hoping someone will either talk some sense into me or encourage me to follow my gut instinct.
My DS is 15 months old. He goes to a childminder 2 days a week and nursery 1 day a week with an additional morning at either depending on my DHs shifts.
He has been going to these two childcare settings since September last year, so 6 months now.
When he was doing his settling in at both settings he got on fine. Was happy to play, but pleased to see me when I returned.
However for the last at least 3 months he has been crying hysterically when being dropped off at nursery. I mean as soon as we walk in the building he starts getting upset, will cling to my neck for dear life and be reaching out for me as I hand him over. He is nothing like this when being left with the childminder. He always has a massive grin for her, will go to her with open arms and be waving me goodbye before I have even had time to put his bag down :) He seems to have formed a lovely bond with her and the other mindees so looks forward to being there.
So not to drip feed, I am also having other concerns with the nursery. They seem to be quite disorganised. For example I dropped him off last week and they didn't even realise he was coming. (He obviously hadn't been added to the diary) His keyworker has also changed 3 times in 3 months due to staff movements (they have separate areas for age groups)
I guess what I am asking, is should I be concerned about this? The staff claim he is fine when I have left and his reports always suggest he is happy but I haven't had any development reports from them with photos etc to reassure me. I am also not the person who picks him up, so I do not see him in the setting to know he is ok.
It is heartbreaking seeing how distressed he is, especially in comparison to how he is with the childminder. I understand separation anxiety is common but why is he only like this in one place.
I had asked the childminder if she could have him the extra day but unfortunately she is full on that day so cannot take him.
Should I look for a different nursery?
Does anyone have any similar experiences?