Starting nursery. I'm so anxious

[Rbarty]

I know I'm not the first parent to send their child to nursery but I was up 90 minutes in the night worrying.
My daughter has just turned 1 and my maternity leave finishes on Tuesday so she'll be starting nursery on the same day, she will be going 2.5 days a week. She's been for 3 taster sessions this week (30mins with me and daddy there and 2 seperate hour sessions alone). While we were there she was ok but on the first session that we left her for an hour she got a bit upset towards the end of the session. On the second session alone she pretty much cried the whole time but this was due to the fact that she had missed her nap. I'm now really worried about leaving her as her first day at nursery will be a full day 8 till 5. I can't bear the thought of her being upset for the whole entire day, I'm sure she will stop crying at some point and can't cry all day but it still worries me.
My daughter doesn't really have any friends who are a similar age and tends to hang around with family members that are older than her by year or two. We don't really attend baby and toddler groups, its just us two normally. She had no problem integrating with the children though on the day we were there but she doea prefer to play alone and seems a little bit intimidated by the other kids and how loud they are. I'm so nervous for her that I'm even thinking of reducing my work hours even further. I'm just looking for advice from parents whose children started nursery at a similar age and what their experiences were and how long it would take to settle if they are only in attendance two and a half days. Thanks in advance.

She will be fine! The nursery should welcome calls from you (maybe one in the morning and one in the afternoon) to check on her. Also they may give you a "my first day" photo / online learning journey with photos so you can see what she gets up to. The nursery staff will be ready with cuddles for her all day. It's hard to say how quickly she will settle but she will. You are doing the right thing for your family by going back to work, and if it doesn't work out, you can change it by reducing hours.

I'm following this because my son goes into nursery at the end of May. I'm having a lot of problems with work as it is so I'm dreading going back anyway but feeling sick at the thought of leaving my baby. He's quite attached to me as it is and not great with napping. I have a fear that he'll never sleep and spend the day screaming.

Also following this post as I go back to work in May and already feel the same. Your definitely not on your own feeling like this. Everyone keeps telling she will be fine. Like your DC OP she has spent nearly all her time with me and DH with only occasional baby groups. We have already started settling in sessions so she will have quite afew before she properly starts. Is there no way she could just do afew half days at first? Would your work allow you to do afew half days?

I don't think they'd let me do a few half days. My husband is working shifts and will be able to pick her up just after 2 if it all goes badly, also her auntie is a teacher so off for half term and is always available.
I know nursery is definitely the best thing for her it's just getting over the initial hurdle .
She's booked for a Monday 8-5, Tuesday 8-5 and Thursday 8-1. I did think of starting her on the Thursday but then that would mean adter the weekend shes straight in to 2 full days. I might speak to her auntie and see if she could collect her early but part of me thinks it's like pulling off a plaster and it's vest to get it over with in one go.

I have worked in a nursery before and the she will settle fine. She may be clingy and wanting to be held by an adult but this is normal and they will be prepared for it.

It is probably best to leave her in full days so she gets used to it, as the more time she spends there the easier it is for her to settle. The nursery will have settled so many children it will be like second nature to them and personally I loved welcoming a new child and getting to know them.

My son just started nursery at 11 months old. Yes he does get upset at points during the day but even at home he gets upset during the day if he's tired or hungry...its just when he's at nursery you automatically feel bad and worry that it's because you've left him there.
Generally I find that there's so much for them to play with and look at that 5 mins after you've gone they're playing and busy. My son gets upset when the door opens as he thinks it's me coming to get him but 3 weeks on and it is definitely improving.
We still have some tears at drop off but I hide outside the door and listen and he's quiet within 5 mins.
He only does 1.5 days 8-5.30 and 8-1 and he's fine both days even the long one.
I would give it another couple of weeks and try to chat to nursery as they have seen it all before.

Try not to worry OP, she will be fine. My DD now 4 started nursery 3 days per week at 9 months. I was terrified as she had never taken a bottle and usually had to nap in the buggy. They had her eating 3 meals a day and napping for 2 hours on a mat in no time. She had so much fun and didn't cry when I left beyond the first week.

I actually think full days are better as they can immerse themselves in it and really form bonds and friendships. It's also good to do a day of their routine rather than half your routine and half of theirs. Good luck!

She'll be fine. They'll give lots of cuddles if needed, but there will be so much going on, she will have plenty to keep her from being upset.