Has anyone changed nursery and was it worth it?

[PenelopeChipShop]

Just interested in others' experiences. My DS is 3 and has been attending nursery since age 2. He's never really loved it. The teacher tell me he settles and joins in with stuff but he never actually wants to go.

In the mornings he asks 'where are we going?' ( it could be nursery, my mum and dad or a home day with me) and if it's nursery he will always say 'I don't want to go' or 'I want to play at home' or 'I want to say with mummy'.

I'm struggling to figure out whether that's totally normal or if it means he really would rather not go. There's a good alternative nearby that I do like but surely it's also a big change for him to move and at least the current one is a familiar environment.

Help! There's nothing I think is particularly 'bad' about his current one, it's just the fact he never seems to want to go.

My friend changed nursery - her DS had gone to Nursery 1, but was on the waiting list for Nursery 2, which she preferred the feel of. When a space came up she almost didn't move him because he was used to Nursery 1, but she says almost overnight he went from dragging his heels and being upset in the morning to bouncing in the door, and being full of exciting stories at the end of the day. It made a huge difference and she's delighted she did it.

DSis also moved her DS2 from one nursery to another; her DS1 had gone to the first nursery and it was great but it had a change of management and staff, and went very downhill. She was also delighted with the change in her DS2 when he moved (different nurseries btw, DSis and my friend live in different parts of the country).

Thank you, that's really encouraging. Such a big decision. I think I prefer the new one but just trying to weigh up whether the disruption is worth it. I don't think I'll know unless I try but I don't want to make things worse!

can you try out the 2nd one before making up your mind? The change worked wonders for my gs- but it's a risk.

We did, and it was completely worth it.

I really wish I had moved her sooner!

The first nursery was truly appalling though.

Yes. We moved nursery. I was never over the moon about his first one but always thought I was being a bit pfb.... After a few irritating incidents I moved him (at the end of the academic year) and it was fantastic, so glad I did. I wish I'd trusted my gut feeling sooner.

Thanks for your comments, I have been agonising over it and I am going to try it out because I significantly prefer the new one.

What I have done is booked two 'school day' sessions (9-3) during a week that I've taken off work, so I can go and pick up if he's distressed. I will be at home with him all the other days to provide a nice cosy experience either side of the new days!

Do people reckon that sounds a good plan? If it seems to go ok that week I'll just start him the following week and try to work from home a bit in the first week or two in cAse of disasters.

I haven't asked for any of those 'leaving for an hour' sessions as previously I would find that just as he was settling I'd be back. Or should I do that too?

Sorry about the all the questions. He's my pfb and I feel a bit clueless and as if it's my fault for picking the 'wrong' nursery to begin with. ??

(And I'm pg with no.2 and all emotional!!)