My dd 2 years old cried at nursery first time

[Lottiebugz22]

My daughter started nursery today and cried the entire time when I left. I got there to her sobbing her heart out. She's doing settling in sessions. It broke my heart. She's an outgoing little girl and very social so I thought she'd really enjoy it. Can anyone else relate?

Aw the initial period is so hard @Lottiebugz22. Hang in there, I'm sure she will settle soon. When my little one started playschool he would cling onto my leg sobbing and ask to come home with me, it broke my heart. After about a week he was running in and barely taking the time to look back and wave and now he asks to go at the weekend!

Oh this is reassuring thank you.
I really hope she settles.

My DS was like this for a long time but the nursery posted pictures of him on the app literally 10 mins later showing him eating his breakfast, smiling etc. I swore he just did it to make me feel bad! It took him months for no tears at drop off but I know enjoyed his time there.

It’s normal for them to be upset for a few initial sessions, especially if they’ve not be away from you much. Once they get to know the staff they start realising they have someone there to support them in the setting and it gets easier.

You may find tears at drop off and pick up time occur for longer but that they are fine during the session. Pick up tears are usually because the child is anticipating home time and seeing other children starting to leave .

Most nurseries will be happy for a call to check they are ok and show photos to reassure you they have been happy and playing.

I am a nursery teacher and l can assure you it's perfectly normal . It's a new environment for her , she has not yet established that secure attachment , to her all those new faces are strangers . Her key person will help her settle in but it will take time for her to fully trust and let her guard down . Allow some time as it's a process , once she has good attachment with her key person she will be fine .

Crying, not wanting to eat and refusing to sleep is totally normal.
All the best .

Another nursery teacher here, again to reassure you it is normal, although that doesn't mean you shouldn't feel upset about it! We use an online service at our nursery which means we can post pictures for the parents to see, does your nursery use similar? We call them settling in posts x

Sometimes children do take a little while to settle, and that's ok. I work with a little boy who's taken a lot to reassure and we've got there. He always has a lovely day with us, just a little wobbly at drop off. We've got there though and now with working with him and his parents he comes in with a big smile on his face ready to play with his friends - makes my job feel so worthwhile