12 month old struggling to settle into Nursery

[Haynesy]

How long do babies/toddlers take to settle at nursery?
My boy has been at nursery for 5 weeks (3 days a week) and is still so emotional at drop off and throughout the day - it’s honestly breaking my heart. He had a day or two where he has was fine until he caught a virus and it’s all gone to pot again. The nursery is absolutely great and they’ll comfort him continuously & say it’s all normal. I just can’t see it ending though. He also doesn’t eat alot, but does seem to sleep okay.
please share your experiences!

Oh, that's hard. Tears at drop-off can definitely persist, and can be more about the transition than the actually being at nursery.

I'd be focused more on him being unsettled during the day. Are they looking to see if there's any pattern to when he is unsettled (at transitions, if he feels crowded, just before nap, more near the end of the day, etc.)? Or at what activities he particularly likes and can help distract him/give him a boost? My eldest seemed to spend most of her first month reading stories.

She also ate very, very little for the first few weeks, which was so stressful – but then she suddenly ate everything. No helpful tips, there, I'm afraid, but just sympathies.

thank you for your sympathies! I am sure I will read this again in a month or so and be wondering why I was so worried.

His nursery have said there is no real pattern to him being upset. They always manage to distract him, but it doesn’t last long. With regards to eating he is hit and miss, but always eats a ton when we get home.

I am off with him today and he is still very miserable/clingy. I’m thinking nursery may have hit us at the exact same time as separation anxiety and teething (he has 6 currently trying to come through!). The virus on top clearly didn’t help.

I’ll try and remain positive and give it a few more weeks. 🙌

Updating incase anyone stumbles across this thread who is going through the same thing….
So barely two weeks later and it’s completely changed! He no longer cries at drop off and is smiles all day. Everything pretty much changed overnight & he started sleeping better at home as well.

That's brilliant! Thanks for updating OP 😀

Thanks for updating @Haynesy , going through similar myself at the minute so this helps a lot. Just doing the settling in process but she’s been hysterical for the entirely of the sessions. Hoping she turns a corner soon

@Pearlinda sorry your little one is struggling with the settling it sessions- it’s so tough isn't it?! 🥺 It will feel like a lifetime, but it will get better I promise (once the illnesses have done their rounds!).
my little one just waves me bye now 🥹

I was about to type this! Setting him in was among the worst time
In my life I was waking up at 3am crying thinking I've done the wrong thing and should keep him off longer. He also got a horrid virus and was whimpering when I arrived to collect him.
6 months on there are occasional tears at drop off but I know it's an 'I'm not getting my way' cry not a 'I'm scared' cry and he has lots of fun with his little friends and loves cuddling the staff there.
To anyone reading - it's brutal but you'll all adjust ! Xx

Thank you @Haynesy and @Unexpectedlysinglemum . This helps a lot. Really appreciate it.