Key worker worries

[Rosebel]

I did post this in AIBU but got no replies so thought I'd try here as it's more of a nursery issue anyway.
DS is 2 and goes to nursery 4 days per week. Until recently he had an absolutely fantastic key worker. He had such a lovely bond with her and loved seeing her. She's recently moved out of the room due to a promotion. I'm happy for her but really upset for my son.
He has a new key worker and she is nice too but there's no bond like there was before. Do you think he'll be able to recreate that bond with his new key worker?
His old key worker spent lots of time with DS and was really the one who got him walking. New key worker is a deputy manager and obviously isn't always in the room as she has other responsibilities so I think this will make a difference.
DS has delayed development (still not talking, and only started walking after he was 2. The other day new key worker said in passing how good DS is and that you'd hardly know he's there.
I'm pretty sure she didn't mean it quite like that but I'm there thinking she's supposed to spend extra time with him to help with his speech not tell me she barely knows if he's there or not.
It's really hard as I work there too so I don't like to make a fuss.
If your child changed key worker how did they get on? Did they form a close bond with new key worker? Really hoping someone can reassure me.

My DS has been through several key workers since he started at 10 months. Some due to moving through age group rooms and some because staff have left. He never formed quite the same bond as he did with his first key worker - I assume this is something to do with the age he was when he first met her. Also that she was the first other person to care for him (family far away so he’d never even been baby sat by anyone else!). Your situation is slightly more complicated due to your child’s additional needs but I think the bond is different as they age - they need slightly different things. Maybe give it a bit more time and then pop in for a chat if you’re still worried?

It's bound to take some time to build a bond but hopefully it will come. I would take the "hardly know he's there" comment to mean he gets on independently as well as being one of the quieter children.

Does he have specific things from a speech therapist that they should be doing with him? If so I'd ask how he's getting on with them, is there any they think he'd benefit from doing again with you at home. That should give them a bit of a nudge to do it if they haven't so far.

It'll come.

I didn't think my child would get over his first key worker but he's actually fell more in love with his new one!

Hardly know he's there comment, I would take this as a good thing. She obv doesn't mean literally, but he's well behaved, causes no shit and goes about his day just fine.

Are SALT involved? Does his key worker have work to do with him? Pecs etc?

I think the only thing I've not heard of in my area, is that a deputy is a key worker also.
In nurseries around mine they do their deputy job and help out at lunch, playtime etc.
So I think I'd want to know more about how much time she's having with him, who looks after her group when she's not there etc.