Distressed toddler at nursery

[Paintingrainbowskies]

My little girl is 27 months old and has been going to nursery since she was 7 months. She goes for 2 sessions a week only because both of us work that day. We don’t have other children, she has no cousins and I have no friends locally with young children but I have made an effort to take her to a toddler group once a week, so she is in the company of adults most of the time.

She has never been very settled going to nursery but she is becoming so much worse, the tears start at least half an hour before we go and she just sobs. Generally she doesn’t really cry any other time and it is so distressing for us all.

Nursery say she is ok when doing a structured activity (I think the children will be quieter, more settled) but gets upset when the other children are playing and generally noisy.

I’ve applied for a place at the school nursery from 3 but places in this area are very difficult to come by so I don’t have much hope of that.

I have considered looking into a childminder instead, knowing a one on one care with an adult would suit her but I don’t know if it is a good idea to change care for her or to preserve?

Does anyone have any advice or anything I can ask the nursery to do to help her settle?

Thanks

A childminder sounds like a good idea. And i say that as a mum who prefers nursery for mine. Pushing her to go and socialize at nursery won't help her confidence imho. Much better for her to be in a small group setting at a childminder's house with a few other kids.

I couldn't bear it if dc were upset before and during nursery. Dd is 9m and cries at drop of but settles within minutes and is happy all day. DS was there before her and loved it.

I'm sure the nursery will have already tried everything to settle her. Some kids just need a bit more time in a home type secure environment i think.

Hope you find something she's happy with.

Really appreciate your input, thanks for replying.

Completely agree. I did nursery/preschool with DS (never honestly really 100% settled, and still struggles with preschool aged 4 - I'm sorry I kept pushing him into the bigger more structured environment, assuming he would get used to it any day now). DD goes to a childminder and she is getting lots of cuddles and attention instead of learning her colours and numbers - which with the benefit of hindsight I think is more important at age 2.