To Move Clingy 2-yr Old or Not?

[Ladybyrd]

Hi,

We've had some issues with our nursery in the past couple of months over sickness with our kids. Having 2 kids in the same nursery, well when 1 picks something up the other gets it a few days later. I wouldn't take them in if they were ill obviously, but we reached the point where they were spending the vast majority of their time at home. On top of genuine illness, there were a couple of instances when they really feel they were taking the Mickey. E.g. calling me to pick DS up, who it transpired had a UTI, then trying to persuade me to take DD too as she had a runny nose. Then calling me to pick DD up because she's under the weather, then when I get there telling me she doesn't have a temperature, no D&V, but she's clingy. Can you take DS as well (for a more legitimate reason).

DS is now at school so that's solved that half of the problem, but it's really dented my trust with them and we're going to have a look at another nursery. It's just that they keep telling me every day when I pick her up that she's clingy and they don't have time to sit and cuddle her all day. She is 2. Just moved up from the baby room. I'm just concerned that if we take her somewhere else we may just have the same problem there. Also, is it normal to have 2 year olds and 4 year olds playing in the same space?

Sounds like she'd be better with a childminder who will actually cuddle her if she needs it. Less illness too.

Agree

If she's just moved room if the clingy ness not just because she hasn't settled yet?
I find it quite sad that your nursery have said they don't have time for cuddles.
I get they are busy but comforting a child, realistically doesn't take long if she just needs a cuddle and some reassurance.

2 year olds and 4 year olds are split in my nursery.

Personally I would raise with manager and just ask what is happening to help your settle into her new room if they don't have time for cuddles. Is there enough workers for children ratio? Are they short staffed?
I say this as I know if my nursery said this the manager wouldn't agree with the no cuddles.

I'd prefer to stay with the nursery route. Nothing against childminders, but that's our preference.

I suppose that's the problem. They seem short staffed all the time, with quite a high staff turnover lately. But there again, that's the only nursery we've used, so it's difficult to get a measure as I've nothing to compare it against. I do think she's struggling to adjust.

I think deep down I've made my mind up to try another one, but now I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Where she is now though is very expensive and pretty poorly managed. I don't even know who her key worker is for instance.

Where she is now though is very expensive and pretty poorly managed. I don't even know who her key worker is for instance.

I think with this, and what you said about illness and sending home etc, and the no cuddles I would move her.
I don't expect my child to be cuddled all day but a little reassurance for them goes a long way.
The high staff turn over also speaks volumes.

I'd move her. We've just moved a clingy 2 year old from one nursery for another (though for purely logistical reasons due to changed commute). Settling in at the new nursery went much better than I expected!

And FYI you should always know who their named keyworker is. I think that's an Ofsted requirement.

@NinjaKitty To be honest the logistical reasons alone are enough - when you factor in travel time and cost it reduces the expenditure by a third. If she was happy, I might be inclined to put up with that, but she isn't.

@SunshineClouds1 That is another part of it. All of the older, more experienced employees seem to being replaced by younger, less experienced staff who I suspect don't qualify for the minimum wage. So I almost feel like I'm being moaned at about her clinginess when I collect her at night, but looking at from their point of view, I suspect they're overworked and underpaid. I'm just now sure whether it's an isolated problem or it happens everywhere.

So I almost feel like I'm being moaned at about her clinginess when I collect her at night, but looking at from their point of view, I suspect they're overworked and underpaid. I'm just now sure whether it's an isolated problem or it happens everywhere.

I mean there's no harm in saying she's been abit clingy today she may need some extra cuddles tonight, but everyday and saying they have no time to comfort her isn't good.
It doesn't happen at my child's nursery or my friends from what I know of.
I think if you have a gut feeling it's not right place for her you need to follow it.