Reception child suddenly crying at drop off

[Weepingwillows12]

My previously school loving ds has started getting very upset at being left. This started a week or so before Easter holidays with occasional crying at school drop off but not every day. I just took it to be tiredness.

Over Easter he has cried a couple of times when either me or his dad have left him to pop out or when leaving him at his grandma's to play for an hour which he does most weeks and usually loves.

Today at school drop off, he was really really upset. Was talking in the morning about not wanting to go back and asking me to go in the classroom with him (not allowed at his school). Ended up crying his heart out on the playground. His lovely teacher couldn't calm him. Distraction didn't work. Telling him to stop and counting didn't work (this does usually help when he is stropping). Ended up just having to leave him with his teacher and walk off and I feel awful.

Is it normal for 4 almost five year olds to suddenly start getting separation anxiety or will something have caused it? How is best to handle it?

Also would i be one of "those parents" to call school and just check he settled OK? I know they are busy but just worrying. It's not like him at all.

I called the school office who said he was fine now. It's just weird that he is suddenly so anxious.

My son started doing this a few months ago.
His school have been great and work really hard to distract him with conversation as soon as he goes in, they've also put him in with a play therapist fortnightly for a one on one session so he can talk about his worries. So far all of his worries seem to be missing mummy and daddy.

I have made him a picture collage of his family which he keeps in his book bag or on the wall so he can see us if he feels sad. We've also started a new sticker system where he gets a sticker if he is brave at drop off and if he gets 5 by the end of the week he can have £2 pocket money instead of £1.

I chatted to to him about how it's okay to be sad and to miss us, however he understands he has to go to school so we need to find ways to make him happier.

So far it seems to be working! Good luck op

I might try the collage, thank you. I spoke to the teacher at pick up and she said he was his normal self and some kids find it hard after a break. He was all positive about school but at bedtime started saying, "why do I need to go to school. I want to stay at home etc." it's not like him.

The same thing is happening with my just turned 5 year old. On a morning she is crying yelling she doesn't want to go to school she just wants to stay home with me forever. Won't put her shoes or coat on, just sitting about. I only have 1 day off a week so it isn't like I am always home with her younger sister doing lots of fun things. I think it must just be the realisation setting in that school isn't a novelty it's the real deal. Really hope your little one settles back down!

Just to reassure that I think is all completely normal.. my eldest Son went through this stage and my youngest has just started too, also in reception. He loves school but is having a little wobble and was also v upset this morning.. I think it's the realisation that it's every day and always that they have to go, especially difficult after a holiday. I wouldn't worry, it will pass soon x

Thank you all. That's reassuring. Will just see how he does the next few weeks. It's just thrown me as I was expecting a wobble on starting school and he breezed it and wasn't expecting this now. Good to see it's not uncommon.