4yr old who refuses to go to nursery

[NoodleMais]

I have a 4yr old boy who loves nursery when he is there but screams the whole nursery down when i drop him off, i have tried the star chart approach, even bribery of chocolate but no joy, he just screams and tells me he is tired and wants to go home, after about 20-30 mins a lady who works at his nursery manages to calm him and coax him into doing something. When i pick him up he tells me all about his day and always seems to have a great time.
The problem is dropping him off it is really getting me down and it breaks my heart having to leave him sooo distressed, i even have to lie ti him and say i am fetching another one of his toys which i hate doing.
Any advice or help in any way greatly appreciated.
Thanks xx

Drop and run works for me when either of my DSs are like this..i just say i have to go to work (i wouldnt lie) then give kiss/ cuddle then leave. The longer you stay to palcate him the worse it is i reckon.

I usually enlist the help of one of the staff to take him and distract him. I can loiter round the corner without him seeing and he always stoops crying within 30 secs.

Sounds harsh but as you say they love it once im gone.

Thanks for the speedy reply, i will give that a go , i might see if someone can take him at the door and not go in myself like you say, that way he won't be able to cling onto me for grim death. I will add that when my hubby dropped them off , my son did not do this to him !! he only does it to me. plus i am not at work at the mo so cannot tell him anything other than off to do the shopping !!, we just wanted them to go to nursery so they could play with other children.

My eldest 3 have all done this to me (and not to hubby! must be a mum thing!!)
I drop off at 9 and collect at 1 so I found that I had to take a deep breath and gently, but firmly, say "I'll be here to get you after your lunch, have a lovely day.." kiss and bye bye (then sob in the car!!) If I gave them a short term goal (back after lunch) it seemed to reassure them a bit.
sometimes nursery have called me 10 minutes after drop off to say "she's fine now" which was nice.
I agree with hairybaby's mum that the longer you stay the harder it can be for the both of you. hope it passes soon xx