So stressed about DD starting nursery

[croquet]

My DD is supposed to start nursery for 5 half days soon. She'll be 17 months old. I'm so worried I am a nervous wreck. I'm worried she'll be lonely or sad or stressed and I won't be there. Has anyone else had experiences like / of this? Thanks

Are they going to let you be there for the first couple of sessions so she can settle in?

My son will be starting soon (at 12m) and I will be going there for the first session which will also be when I'll meet his key person and can tell them all about his quirks/needs/likes/routines etc so they can try and make the transition as easy as possible for him.

yes they do have quite a lengthy settling in thing -- I'm not sure why I'm so worried. I'd look after her til she went to school if I could. I'd LOVE to!

Well, I think it would be worrying if we WEREN'T worried - we are going to put our babies in the care of strangers so it's a natural protective instinct for us to want to make sure they are safe and happy. I'm sure they will be fine - it's just us that will be blubbing at the nursery gates!

Once you're in the routine of it all, you will feel better about it. You have probably checked places out, so you know she's going somewhere safe. She will be at the age where she will love seeing other tinies her age and doing new stuff.

However long the settling in period, take her in the first day, make an unfussy exit.

If you hang around looking dejected, the more upset she’s likely to be. Just walk in with DD, take her coat off, give her a kiss and walk away,

If she has a favourite toy or blankie, you could ask staff if that can be kept safe so she will have something familiar to cuddle.