He (3 yrs old) loved it to start with as he was so excited to play with the new toys, try new things etc, play with new friends and teachers. After a few weeks he is so sad and is begging me not to send him (he speaks like an adult). He and the staff have both told me that the teachers don’t play with the children (the staff have confirmed this as they want children to play side by side so they step back), so he tells me he is very lonely. I told him to ask his key worker to play if he was on his own and he did but the teacher pulled me aside to explain that she couldn’t do this and would continue trying to step back after a few minutes of play. I understand they are busy and prepping kids for school and on a side note I do believe they are a very good nursery - perhaps this is usual practice?
I understand nursery is an ideal environment for prepping kids for school and that’s fantastic - but I’m finding it hard to believe that playing on his own in an unknown environment is more beneficial for him compared to lovely days out with myself and his little brother (we see lots of other children, play outside, visit castles, gardens, play groups etc - just generally have a lovely time - I work in the evenings so this doesn’t impact on our days).
I understand not going to nursery might make the school transition harder but I feel if we are going to have a tricky time at one stage why not delay it when he is older and let him enjoy life as he loves and knows it now!
(They picked him up and took him in screaming mummy for me last time and feel so guilty that I let them take him - he continued calling for me once the gate had closed. I know he did enjoy some activities once he had calmed down. He’s very anxious about being sent back and goes very quiet when anyone else broaches the subject).
in case relevant he is brilliant, lovely, kind, caring, super clever and just a joy to have around (I wouldn’t have sent him in the first place if there wasn’t pressure to push 3 year olds in preparation for school). We are a very close family and he loves being around me.