12 month old starts nursery next week

[HPLmummy]

Hello! I'm after a bit of advice. My LO starts nursery a week on Monday. The other day he had a settling in session where I had to leave him on his own for an hour. Wow - it was tough, he didn't want to leave me and I had to literally hand him over and walk out due to Covid and the restrictions in place (understandably) but it was so hard and now I am dreading next week. He has a 2 hr session on Wednesday before he starts properly the week after.
His key worker said he was okay but got upset intermittently, and when I picked him up he started sobbing with relief 😭 it broke my heart.
Does any body have any tips or advice? For helping my little one or just general stories of your own? TIA x

Can I cry with you my daughter has just turned 1 and is starting nursery in a few weeks. I'm dreading it, she is going to be so upset & will probably refuse food and drink. No advice but here for a hand hold!

All I can say is stick with it, they get used to it and quiet often they settle once you have gone. I’ve just been through it again with my 2year old going back after Covid. It was heartbreaking but she loves it again now. Good luck.

My 15 mo started nursery at 9 months, just settling then Covid hit so he stayed at home with his Dad who was at home (I'm a keyworker so worked through), he started back 6 weeks ago.
He was exactly as you described to start but now is such a happy soul every nursery day - he drags his bag to the front door and runs to the car to be strapped in. He walks in the door at nursery with a smile and wave to me/his Dad and just smiles when we collect him (he then 'chats' for 30 mins - I assume telling us about his day but he only has the odd word).
Honestly - he is thriving, nursery are amazing, he is safe, cared for and having an awesome time. We LOVE our family time. Hope that helps x

I was in a similar situation. I had bad 'mum guilt'. We started ours later than most parents (just over 2yo). The first few weeks were tough, i don't know how i got through the settling in sessions but i did. It was the best thing for my ds. Ds struggled to begin with and then by the 4th week he was happily getting in the car with his nursery bag ready to go. Now we are at the stage when he's crying at having time leave the nursery. My advice is to stick at it, its difficult right now but i see such a huge improvement in every aspect of his development. You will be fine, just enjoy the child free time!