Scared of Sending Child to Playgroup / Nursery

[SaraNorts]

My daughter has just turned 2, to help her prepare for school I have organised for her to go to playgroup. She will start playgroup in September morning sessions. Last week I took her for a settling in period and it didn't go well. I took her at 10.30am and she was going to stay there until 1pm, however she was so upset they asked me to pick her up at 11.45 before they settled the other children for dinner.
There will not be another settling in period, they told me that she will now just start in September! I mean how is she going to cope? Other children seem to be fine, but she is so shy around other children its really worrying me and i'm petrified for September. What are they going to do in September when she's really upset? they can't just phone when she gets upset for me to go and collect her as I have work. Its really put me off and i'm really upset and worrying what to do. Have any of you experienced this with your child/children?? She is fine around the family kids, and there is a lot of them its just other children. Please help me.

Children don't 'need' to go to nursery/playgroup at age 2. Of course many two year olds (and younger) are in childcare, and enjoy it, but it isn't a necessity if you don't feel your DD is ready yet. I didn't send my DD to nursery until she was 3.6 (a year before starting school), and her reception report commented on her excellent social skills, so it didn't do her any harm.

When DS started nursery (he was only six months old which I think actually made it easier, though I was desperately miserable anyway!) the nurses offered to let me stay for as long as I liked. I stayed in the room with him for about half an hour, then went to the parents' room for the rest of the session, popping through to feed him and check him. I did that for about a week.

I'd be a bit concerned about the nursery itself TBH. Surely they're used to dealing with upset children? And why on earth can she not have as many settling in sessions as she needs?

DS is at a clingy age now but he's delighted every morning when I drop him off. I wouldn't feel happy leaving him with people who were unable(or unwilling) to comfort him.

It's really tough OP, best of luck. I cried loads!