Childminder

[Mar256]

My little girl (she is 20 months now) has been going to the childminders since she was 9 months old. Shes always been settled and enjoyed it. But, over the last month she has cried at every drop off and she has never ever done this. I keep the drop offs short and sweet and as soon and she is there I get updates that she is happy, smiling and playing away. I don’t know why all of a sudden but nothing has been mentioned if anything has happened. Is this just a phase or could it be something else? I know the childminder has separated from her husband and has got a new boyfriend and I’m wondering could it be that? Maybe my daughter doesn’t like him when he is there?

How long has the new "boyfriend" been around? Is he around the children? Has he been DBS checked and have you seen evidence of this?

Sorry, but a childminder having her new "boyfriend" around doesn't sit right with me at all. It's her job. The boyfriend shouldn't be involved at all.

Honestly it does sound like a phase. Around that age they can suddenly become a lot more clingy at drop-off even if they’ve been fine before. My little one went through the exact same thing — tears at the door, then five minutes later happily playing away. It can be hard not to worry, but the fact she settles so quickly is really reassuring.
I wouldn’t read too much into changes at the childminder’s unless you’ve noticed anything else off. Kids are very tuned in, but more often than not it’s just developmental leaps and separation anxiety popping back up. If it puts your mind at rest you could always have a gentle chat with the childminder, but I’d say it’s most likely just a stage that will pass.

How is she at other times? My DC around the same age is going through a phase of seperation anxiety, but it shows at all times, not just drop off.

I would also be querying whether this boyfriend is DBS checked etc.