My DD is 3 and is a very sensitive little lady. This is particularly around people and places she doesn't know - she's never been left with anyone who's not family, and reacts badly if anyone tries to come near her even if they are familiar (friends of mine for example). She got really upset last week when a friend tried to help her off a swing! She also has a tendency to be very negative about places we're going, with the exception of the playground or any similar places she will always say 'I don't want to go to [insert place]' as soon as we tell her, and will sometimes get in a bit of a paddy about it. She had a heart murmur and had to have 6 monthly checks with the same doc, as soon as I told her where we were going her face would drop and she'd get really upset.
So my problem is this - how do I possibly make starting pre school in September a positive thing for her? She has been going to regular stay and play sessions there so is familiar with the place but has never wanted to be left there, even for a minute. I don't feel like we should just drop it on her by going one day and leaving her for a few hours, but if I start to talk to her about it now, it's very likely that it will get the 'I don't want to go' treatment and she could end up even more upset in the build up to it. I honestly think that she will really benefit from going but I really don't want the early days to be traumatic for her. I know there will be some element of upset at the start, but how do I handle the run up to it? Tell her about it or spring it on her? Any advice would be really appreciated.