Room transitions

[Me264]

My DS 18 months has just moved from the baby room to the toddler room at nursery. He was so happy and settled in the baby room but has found the move very hard. It's been a week and a half now (he does 4 days a week) and he is still distraught every day on drop off, cries as soon as we get through the door and clings to me saying mama mama mama. It's heartbreaking to watch. Any tips for settling him in other than giving it time?

I don't linger on drop off and just hand him over, hang his coat up, say goodbye I'll see you later and leave. The staff say he settles quickly and is happy all day - and he's happy on pick up. It's just a miserable start to the day for us both!

Hi. I work in a nursery and some children do find it a bit upsetting to move to another room. However your 18 month old is now a 'toddler'. I wonder if the key workers will allow you to sit in their office and view the CCTV screens for 20 minutes after you drop off? Might be worth asking. Your DS is being looked after and loved I assure you. Where I work an upset toddler does always settle and it does (cliche coming) 'take time'. Please do not let it upset you.

We absolutely love the toddlers, babies and pre-schoolers in our care. Truthfully, we adore them. You should see all the tears from the key workers, volunteers and chefs when the end of a term comes along and the pre-schoolers leave the nursery.

I love my job and wish i'd gone to work in child care sooner.

Thanks KC11. The staff at DS's nursery are fantastic too and show the kids real affection. DS was ready to move up from a developmental point of view - the toddler room is much more about encouraging independence etc - but it's just hard to watch him so upset! It's a good idea to hang back and watch him settle down. There's a glass pane in the door I could peek through without him noticing me I think. It took him about 3 weeks to settle when he first started, hoping it'll be no longer this time but may take longer as his understanding and awareness is so much more now.