Unsettled nursery vibes

[GH2021]

So..
I work 3 days per week and LO goes to grandmas 2 days and nursery 1 day.
I have really struggled to find a nursery that I clicked with so ended up going with the best of a bad bunch so to speak.
We were only allowed 1 settling in session where I had to drop my LO outside the doors and give her to a stranger because of covid I haven't seen inside the building and I haven't formally met the staff working in the room so I already feel uneasy.
I know 1 day a week is not always recommended but financially and time wise it is best for us.
My LO has been going for 9 weeks/sessions now and is still crying and squeezing me outside when they come to get her, I also hear her screaming down the corridor as they are bringing her out to me.

They say she is fine in the day, or have said that a couple of times I've asked with the same answer each time but I'm really starting to dread nursery days myself. They don't do daily updates/photos but do tell me what she has eaten and how long she has napped and I was supposed to get monthly updates etc but so far I've had nothing.

Is it the 1 day a week thing or should I look for somewhere else for her 🤔

It's difficult as it's over 9 weeks so seems like a long time but essentially she's only been 9 times.
Have the staff giving any more feedback?

How old is DC?

Certainly one day per week won't help. Can't you try and arrange to meet the staff to at least put your mind at rest on that?

No they are really rushed and blasé when I collect I have to ask and always get flustered as my little one is upset lots of parents are there all stood outside collecting.
She is 14 months.
They didn't ask about her likes or dislikes or anything I had to say on the first drop off like if she is upset she likes books etc so that may help 😑.

That's a red flag for me. I remember when we enrolled DS at nursery at 14 months and was given a form to tell them all about him, likes dislikes etc and if he was ever upset and they couldn't get him to settle, they would call me and ask me for advice. He also had 2 days settling in sessions and I was asked to say for about an hour on the first day.

9 weeks is a long time for a child not to settle but I will say one day week will definitely play a big role in that.

Sorry, I didn't mean try and meet at pick up or drop off. Those are terrible times to try and have any sort of proper conversation. Could you book in on one of your days off? Or book a meeting with the manager to address your concerns and ask to speak to the staff as part of that.

Children at that age take a long while to settle on just one day a week, it is just so long for them between visits and not enough time to get to know and make a bond with the people caring for her. If you can afford it add an extra session into the week. Ask for a seperate appointment to come in and speak to staff and give them a run down of what she likes and dislikes. Drop off and pick up times aren't always the best times for a chat, so see if you can go another time, even if it's your day off and you just pop in for an hour.