LO cries hysterically on nursery pickup

[PhalangeReginaPhalange]

They had their first full day on Friday, was distracted when I left although was aware I was going.

Absolutely fine when I left after an hour of doing paperwork but when I picked up had obviously been crying, weren’t sat with the others to eat and as soon as I was seen it triggered completely hysterical crying!

Is this normal?

I am not an expert as my boy isn't there yet BUT I did hear one of the nursery staff at the nursery I visited say it's very normal for them to cry on pickup. It isn't sad tears it's because they have no way of expressing their emotions to this extreme apart from crying so it's all just like an overwhelming feeling for them that you are back. I have no idea how true it is but makes sense!

Ah yeah i kind of understand that! It must be a very overwhelming experience really and crying is the outlet. It’s just heartbreaking!

I bet! I would be so upset if my baby cried when he saw me!!! But just keep telling yourself it's normal and I am sure once baby settles it won't happen anymore!

It's not unusual at all! I don't think they'd have let him be like it all day without calling you although that's what it will be like in your mind I'm sure.

(I work in nurseries and if a child isn't able to be distracted and have some play and smiles in between being upset then we would call parents to collect and try again the next time.)

Depending on the age I think the cry is often like a "there you are! I was cross with you and now I'm cross with myself because I forgot!" Or a "you came back! What do I do with this feeling?!"

DD did this for a while after first starting at her pre/school. I worried that the staff thought she didn’t want to come home but I think it’s common. For my daughter I think it was a mixture of tiredness, excitement, happiness to see me and being overwhelmed at her first few sessions there and overwhelmed by the madness of pick up time.

Thank you all, it’s good to hear that it is normal and will settle soon. It makes a lot of sense what you are saying so I really appreciate the replies!

My daughter does this as well. When I pick her up from grandparents or nursery she crys when she sees me. Not too bad, unless she can't get to me. She soon stops when I pick her up. It's like she sees me and remembers I left her and she wants me and she is happy I am there.